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Comparing the localized feeding ecology of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) at natural and artificial reefs: gut content and stable isotope analyses
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2025
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Source: Fishery Bulletin, 123(1), 58-70
[PDF-1.20 MB]
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Journal Title:Fishery Bulletin
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Description:Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) feed on epibenthic prey, particularly decapods, and become more piscivorous as they grow larger, a trend that has energetic consequences for growth. In the coming decades, construction of wind energy systems will expose black sea bass to a large-scale manipulation of continental shelf habitats in the northeastern United States. In this study, we tested the effects of habitat type (natural versus artificial reef habitats) on size, age, growth, diet, and trophic dynamics of black sea bass, using 407 specimens collected with rod-and-reel gear near Ocean City, Maryland, in 2016 and 2018. No significant differences in fish length, age, size at age, or diet are attributable to habitat. The stable isotope composition (δ13C and δ15N) in samples of 3 tissue types (liver, muscle, and mucus) vary significantly by habitat except for δ15N values in mucus samples. Across tissue type, δ13C values are higher for fish at artificial habitats, indicating more littoral than pelagic feeding. We conclude that, although both types of reef habitats are ecologically equivalent as a source of growth and diet for black sea bass, the differences in stable isotope signatures indicate functional differences in system energy flow that should be investigated further in this and other marine species that will be affected by offshore wind energy development.
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Source:Fishery Bulletin, 123(1), 58-70
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ISSN:0090-0656
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Rights Information:CC0 Public Domain
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Compliance:Submitted
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