title: Feeding ecology of early marine phase Atlantic salmon Salmo salar post-smolts.
abstract: Dietary analyses of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar post-smolt stomachs collected from 2001 to 2005 in Penobscot Bay, Maine, U.S.A., have yielded insights into the feeding ecology of early marine phase post-smolts from different rearing origins. Most stomachs contained only one or two prey types, suggesting active prey selection. Post-smolts that lived in the river longer (i.e. from naturally reared and parr-stocked origins) were smaller and consumed more fishes than invertebrates compared to larger post-smolts that emigrated immediately post-stocking (i.e. from smolt-stocked origins). Naturally reared S. salar consumed c. 84% fishes and 16% crustaceans and parr-stocked S. salar consumed 64% fishes and 34% crustaceans. Stocked smolts consumed 48% fishes and 40% crustaceans. Differences in the type and quantity of consumed prey may be indicative of behavioural differences among rearing origins that influence post-smolt survival.
authors.affiliation: National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA. Mark.Renkawitz@noaa.gov
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Renkawitz
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Sheehan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D008281:Maine; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D020317:Salmo salar