Abstract
A total of 129 specimens ofLepidopsetta bilineata (Ayres) were collected in the eastern Bering Sea (57°02′–58°11′N; 161°58′–164°38′W) between 28 August and 7 September 1984. Examination of its stomach and intestine contents revealed that polychaetes, gammarid amphipods and echiuroids constitute the bulk of its diet. Prey type is related to fish size. Juveniles consume more mobile prey, such as small crustaceans (gammarid amphipods, cumaceans, carideans), while adults, although still continuing to feed on gammarid amphipods, preferentially feed on infaunal organisms such as polychaetes, echiuroids and mollusks. Some prey, such as echinoderms, fishes and urochordates, were encountered only in stomachs, which resulted in a higher index of feeding diversity for this organ. Rock sole feeds primarily during daylight hours, peaking at dusk. Its daily ration was estimated as 0.49, 1.12, and 1.61% of fish body weight from contents of stomach, intestine, and stomach plus intestine, respectively.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Cohen, E., Grosslein, M. (1981). Food consumption in five species of fish on Georges Bank. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea Comm. Meet. (Demersal Fish. Comm.) 1981/G:68: 1–11
De Groot, S. J. (1971). On the interrelationships between morphology of the alimentary tract, food and feeding behaviour in flat fishes (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes). Neth. J. Sea Res. 5: 121–196
Durbin, E. G., Durbin, A. G., Langton, R. W., Bowman, R. E. (1983). Stomach contents of silver hake,Merluccius bilinearis, and Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua, and estimation of their daily rations. Fish. Bull. U.S. 81: 437–454
Elliott, J. M. (1972). Rates of gastric evacuation in brown troutSalmo trutta L. Freshwat. Biol. 2: 1–18
Elliott, J. M., Persson, L. (1978). The estimation of daily rates of food consumption for fish. J. Anim. Ecol. 47: 977–991
Forrester, C. R., Thomson, J. A. (1969). Population studies on the rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata) of northern Hecate Strait, British Columbia. Tech. Rep. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 108: 1–104
Grosslein, M. D., Langton, R. W., Sissenwine, M. P. (1980). Recent fluctuations in pelagic fish stocks of the N. W. Atlantic, Georges Bank region, in relation to species interactions. Rapp. P.-v. Réun. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 177: 374–404
Hart, J. L. (1973). Pacific fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 180: 1–740
Ito, D. H., Thompson, G. G., Wespestad, V. G., McDevitt, S. A., Kimura, D. K., Walters, G. E., Traynor, J. J., Ronholt, L. L., Halliday, K. L., Alton, M. L. (1987). Condition of groundfish resources of the eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region in 1987. In: Bakkala, R. G. (ed.) Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, Washington 98115. (Unpublished report)
Jobling, M. (1987). Influences of food particle size and dietary energy content on patterns of gastric evacuation in fish: test of a physiological model of gastric emptying. J. Fish Biol. 30: 299–314
Kravitz, M. L., Pearcy, W. G., Guin, M. P. (1976). Food of five species of coocurring flatfishes on Oregon's continental shelf. Fish. Bull. U.S. 74: 984–990
Mito, K. I. (1974). Food relationships among benthic fish populations in the Bering Sea. M.S. thesis. Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan
Pinkas, L., Oliphant, M. S., Iverson, I. L. K. (1971). Food habits of albacore, bluefin tuna, and bonito in California waters. Calif. Dep. Fish Game Fish Bull. 152: 1–105
Rogers, D. E., Rabin, D. J., Rogers, B. J., Garrison, K., Wangerin, M. (1979). Seasonal composition and food web relationships of marine organisms in the nearshore zone of Kodiak Island — including ichthyoplankton, meroplankton (shellfish), zooplankton, and fish. Fisheries Research Institute, Seattle, Washington (A. Rep. No. FRI-UW-7906)
Shannon, C. E., Weaver, W. (1963). The mathematical theory of communication. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois
Shubnikov, D. A., Lisovenko, L. A. (1964). Data on the biology of rock sole of the southeastern Bering Sea. Izv. tikhookean. nauchno-issled. Inst. ryb. Khoz. Okeanogr. 51: 209–214
Skalkin, V. A. (1959). Diet and food relations of flatfish on the Il'inskii Shoal). Izv. tikhookean. nauchno-issled. Inst. ryb. Khoz. Okeanogr. 47
Skalkin, V. A. (1963). Diet of flatfishes in the Southeastern Bering Sea. Izv. tikhookean. nauchno-issled. Inst. ryb. Khoz. Okeanogr. 50: 235–250
Smith, R. L., Paulson, A. C., Rose, J. R. (1978). Food and feeding relationships in the benthic and demersal fishes of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. In: Environmental assessment of the Alaskan Continental Shelf. Vol. 1. Biological studies U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Environmental Research Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, p. 33–107
Snedecor, G. W., Cochran, W. G. (1980). Statistical methods. 7th ed. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa
Sokal, R. R., Rohlf, F. J. (1981). Biometry. The principles and practice of statics in biological research. 2nd ed. W. H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco
Tyler, A. V., Dunn, R. S. (1976). Ration, growth, and measures of somatic and organ condition in relation to meal frequency in winter flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus, with hypotheses regarding population homeostasis. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 33: 63–75
Yazdani, G. M. (1969). Adaptations in the jaws of flatfish (Pleuronectiformes). J. Zool., Lond. 159: 181–222
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J.M. Pérès, Marseille
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oñate, F.C. Food and daily ration of the rock soleLepidopsetta bilineata (Pleuronectidae) in the eastern Bering Sea. Mar. Biol. 108, 185–191 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01344332
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01344332