Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
EU Network of Excellence

 
Main Menu

· Home
· Contacts
· Data Systems
· Documents
· FAQ
· Links
· MarBEF Open Archive
· Network Description
· Outreach
· Photo Gallery
· Quality Assurance
· Register of Resources
· Research Projects
· Rules and Guidelines
· Training
· Wiki
· Worldconference

 

Register of Resources (RoR)

 People  |  Datasets  |  Literature  |  Institutes  |  Projects 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Energy allocation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from different feeding grounds along a North-South gradient in the Central North Sea
Macharia, K.B. (2013). Energy allocation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from different feeding grounds along a North-South gradient in the Central North Sea. MSc Thesis. VUB/Universiteit Gent/Universiteit Antwerpen: Brussel, Gent, Antwerpen. 14, 40 pp.

Thesis info:

Available in  Author 
Document type: Dissertation

Keywords
    Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Atlantic cod, diet, biochemical profiling, condition indices, tissue

Author  Top 
  • Macharia, K.B.

Abstract
    Feeding grounds of high quality increases individual condition which positively influences population growth rate, survival and bolsters reproductive capacity of fish. To determine energy accumulation at different feeding areas, which in turn influences individual conditions, we compared prey items consumed, condition indices and energetics in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) along a North-South gradient in the Central North Sea. Pandalus montagui and Crangon crangon were the most important crustaceans whereas among the fish, Callionymus lyra and Merlangius merlangus formed an integral part of Atlantic cod’s diet. Crustaceans formed an important food source for one-year old Atlantic cod while larger Atlantic cod (>2 years) consuming mainly larger fish. The main source of energy to the Atlantic cod is lipids. Liver stores 99 % of the total lipid content whereas white muscles hold 1 %. Protein is the second important source of energy which solely contributes 86 % of the total energy available in the muscle. Carbohydrates contribute the least amount of energy which is significantly reserved in the liver. Liver holds 91 % of total energy available (kJ/g) in Atlantic cod whereas the white muscle holds 9 %. Total energy available (kJ/g) increased with age. Gonado-somatic index (GSI), Fulton’s condition factor (K) and Liver-somatic index (LSI) increased with age. This could be attributed to the diet consumed. Fulton’s condition factor was relatively stable indicating that Atlantic cod were feeding to satiation in their respective feeding grounds. GSI increased with age due to large allocation of energy to gonad maturation as the Atlantic cod matures in preparation for spawning. LSI increased with age presumably due to the consumption of a high proportion of lipid-rich fish prey by large Atlantic cod. Latitudinally, there was a uniform distribution of crustacean and fish prey items. Pandalus montagui and Crangon crangon were the most important crustaceans distributed at high latitude positions towards the coastline of England and Denmark, respectively. Crangon crangon occupied the lower latitude position. Pisces species were evenly distributed. Pleuronectidae, Gobiidae and Clupeidae were distributed towards the coastline of Germany and Denmark whereas Clupeidae, Agonidae and Gadidae were distributed towards the England coastline. There was no clear trend for total energy available (kJ/g) and condition indices along the latitudinal gradient though a subtle increase for total energy available (kJ/g) and gonado-somatic index towards the north was observed.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Author 


If any information here appears to be incorrect, please contact us
Back to Register of Resources
 
Quick links

MarBEF WIKI

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC)
Outreach

Science
Responsive Mode Programme (RMP) - Marie Nordstrom, copyright Aspden Rebecca

WoRMS
part of WoRMS logo

ERMS 2.0
Epinephelus marginatus Picture: JG Harmelin

EurOBIS

Geographic System

Datasets

 


Web site hosted and maintained by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) - Contact data-at-marbef.org