Spatial and temporal variability in the diet of anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in northern Labrador

摘要: Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, was determined from over 2500 prey-containing stomachs collected three stock complex areas northern Labrador. Based on percent wet mass, sand lance, Ammodytes spp., capelin, Mallotus villosus, sculpins, Triglops spp. Myoxocephalus were most important components Voisey complex, with hyperiid amphipods, Parathemisto dominating Nain region. In contrast, amphipods sculpins main prey items more Hebron—Saglek indicating that differs among stocks, at times limited spatial scales. The relative importance varied size predator. Mean weight charr has declined time (p < 0.01), for one is highly correlated average quantity capelin found (r2 = 0.66, p 0.001). Dietary shifts observed some Labrador could be associated, part, changes distribution northwest Atlantic Ocean, possibly as a result anomalous ocean climate conditions.