Temporal distribution, food selection, body size and growth periodicity of the fishes
Pungitius pungitius, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Pomatoschistus rnicrops, Pornatoschistus minutus, Gobiusniger and Phoxinus phoxinus were studied in southern Bothnian Sea (~5 % S; > 15°C during 1.5 mo).The hypothesis was tested that competition for food acts a s important structuring factor of nearshore fish assemblages. In spite of fluctuations in species numbers and relative abundances during the season, species diversity remained relatively stable No differences in mean food-niche widths were detectable between adults of each species; however, between juveniles such differences occurred. No correlations were found between mean food overlaps and food-n~che widths or species diversity No evidence could be found that would identify food competition as important structuring factor. In contrast, for a nearshore fish assemblage on the S w e d~s h west coast, con~petitive interactions for food played, at least temporarily, an important role. Extreme abiotic conditions appear to keep the Bothnian fish populations below the abundance level at which food shortage could become an important selective force.
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