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Diet of age-0 tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in anthropogenically-modified and natural nursery habitats along the Indian River Lagoon, Florida

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Abstract

As human development in coastal areas increases, the role of anthropogenically-created habitats in the life history of marine organisms is becoming increasingly important. We examined the diet of age-0 tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, in and around man-made mosquito control impoundments along the Indian River Lagoon in east-central Florida, with a particular focus on identifying dietary patterns associated with tarpon size and nursery habitat type (i.e., between perimeter pool habitats in established impoundments and newly-created restoration marsh habitats). Age-0 tarpon were found to consume a wide variety of prey organisms, and exhibited considerable dietary variation among study sites. Smaller juvenile tarpon consumed a limited number of small prey taxa, while larger individuals fed on a greater range of prey taxa and sizes. Overall, copepods and fishes were the dominant prey items; however, the consumption of these organisms varied considerably among size classes and sites. There was no clear difference in tarpon diet between the two types of habitat we examined. The ability of juvenile tarpon to utilize such a diverse range of prey organisms may allow populations to inhabit a variety of habitats, including man-made marshes. When natural systems have been degraded or destroyed, human-altered habitats can assume a nursery role for the species.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded in part through grants provided by Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, the Don Hawley Foundation, and the Florida Fly Fishing Association, as well as a teaching assistantship provided by Florida Institute of Technology. We are particularly grateful for the generous support and unlimited access provided by Jim David and the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District. The fieldwork carried out during this study would not have been possible without the assistance of John O’Connell, Leslie Martin, Kate Heckman, Mike Gerlach, and Rick Oldham. Tarpon were collected pursuant to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Permit # 06SR-035.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Marine Sciences Program, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA

    Zachary R. Jud & Craig A. Layman

  2. Department of Biological Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W University Blvd, Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA

    Jonathan M. Shenker

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  1. Zachary R. Jud
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  2. Craig A. Layman
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  3. Jonathan M. Shenker
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Correspondence to Zachary R. Jud.

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Jud, Z.R., Layman, C.A. & Shenker, J.M. Diet of age-0 tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in anthropogenically-modified and natural nursery habitats along the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Environ Biol Fish 90, 223–233 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-010-9734-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-010-9734-6

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