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Food of Paralichthys dentatus and P. lethostigma (Pisces: Bothidae) in North Carolina estuaries

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Abstract

The diets of the spatially segregated summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus, and southern flounder, P. lethostigma, in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, were composed of crustaceans and fishes. Young flounders fed mainly on mysids and fishes throughout the year, but the ratios of these items differed between species. Feeding was minimal during winter, but summer flounder from near-inlet stations had a high frequency of stomachs with food. Older summer flounder fed equally on shrimp and fishes, while southern flounder fed almost solely on fishes. This difference was probably related to food availability.

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Author notes

  1. Allyn B. Powell

    Present address: Beaufort Laboratory, Southeast Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 28516, Beaufort, North Carolina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, 28557, Morehead City, North Carolina

    Allyn B. Powell & Frank J. Schwartz

Authors
  1. Allyn B. Powell
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  2. Frank J. Schwartz
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Additional information

Contribution Number 79-17B, Southeast Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Beaufort, N.C. 28516.

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Powell, A.B., Schwartz, F.J. Food of Paralichthys dentatus and P. lethostigma (Pisces: Bothidae) in North Carolina estuaries. Estuaries 2, 276–279 (1979). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351576

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351576

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