title: More rapid shift to a benthic niche in larger Gadus morhua juveniles.
abstract: Trophic use by Atlantic cod Gadus morhua juveniles was examined early and late in the shift from pelagic to benthic habitats. Changes in the proportion of pelagic copepods, estimates of benthic prey indicated by isotope mixing models and stable-isotope values between sample periods suggested a gradual shift towards a benthic niche. Values of the trophic proxies, however, changed most markedly in the largest juvenile group, suggesting a more rapid trophic niche shift, and in turn competitive advantage, of larger juveniles.
authors.affiliation: University of Iceland, Research Centre of the Westfjords, Adalstraeti 21, Bolungarvík, 415, Iceland.
authors.forename: G Á
authors.initials: GÁ
authors.lastname: Ólafsdóttir
authors.affiliation: University of Iceland, Research Centre of the Westfjords, Adalstraeti 21, Bolungarvík, 415, Iceland.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gunnarsson
authors.affiliation: The Marine Research Institute, Ísafjörður Branch, Árnagötu 2-4, Ísafjörður, 400, Iceland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karlsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D020387:Food Chain; D048389:Gadus morhua / Q000502:physiology*; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D016014:Linear Models; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes
keywords: cohort; habitat transition; intraspecific competition; ontogenetic niche shift; trophic niche