Fish food habits data summary system
2002 - 2021
Background
|
Cluster SamplingIt is important to understand the cluster sampling analysis methods mentioned above. This concept assumes that fish are not randomly distributed throughout their habitat but concentrate themselves in time and space according to size groups, habitat types, prey concentrations, and other factors. It further assumes that the specimens you sample at one location are more likely to be similar to each other than they would be to specimens sampled at another location or at a different time. Therefore, traditional summarization of data based on an assumption of a random distribution would be inappropriate. Let’s look at a hypothetical, though potentially very real, example. Assume we sampled striped bass in two locations. At the first we captured five fish and at the second we caught 100. At both locations our subsampling protocols state that we will examine the stomachs of five specimens. If we were to simply add up the weights (or numbers) of prey in the stomachs of each group of five we would not be giving proper consideration to the fact that at one site we caught 20 times the number of fish that we did at the other. The same concept holds for different sizes of fish captured within and among sampling stations. On a population level, we believe that we must account for such differences in order to properly describe the food habits of the fishes we are sampling. A real example can help illustrate the differences in analytical methods and why they are important: Our overall ChesMMAP (i.e. all ages, all locations, all years) diet summaries for striped bass show that about 9% of the diet by weight consists of Atlantic menhaden. This differs substantially from other food habits studies of striped bass in Chesapeake Bay (Griffin et. al 2003, Hartman and 1995, Walter et. al 2003). If we were to treat our data without regard to the cluster sampling assumptions (i.e. simply add up the total weight of menhaden in striped bass stomachs and divide by the total weight of all prey items), which is the traditional way that diet studies have analyzed their data, menhaden would contribute about 40% by weight to the diet of striped bass (other factors such as sampling methods, times, and locations likely account for this specific difference as well). As previously stated, under these cluster sampling assumptions, fish captured together are assumed to be more similar to one another than they would be to fish captured elsewhere or at a different time. In effect, the cluster becomes the sampling unit rather than the individual specimen. For this reason, when reporting on sample size, it is more appropriate to report the number of clusters sampled than the number of individual fish stomachs examined. Both figures are provided on the data reports you will obtain. |
Predator-Centered Data RetrievalThe data base offers you the opportunity to choose to retrieve fish food habits analyses from either a predator or prey point of view. If you choose to view data from the predator’s perspective you can select data by Survey, Predator Species, Year, Age, and State, summarized by either prey weight or prey numbers (we do not currently offer online summaries by frequency of occurrence though such data are available by request). Once you enter the site you will see the following screen: Within the “Predator-Centered Data Retrieval” simply make your choices within each drop-down box, hit the submit button, and you will be presented with a food habits report that looks like this:
In the report, data for prey types are presented first by major taxonomic group (e.g. fishes, crustaceans, molluscs, worms, etc.) in decreasing group order by percent consumed, and then within each major group by specific prey items, also in decreasing order. In some cases, prey types at the prey item level are grouped, even if more detailed data may be available in our raw data base. For example, data for all amphipod species are combined in these reports even if species-specific data may be available. More detailed summaries may be obtained upon request. For each major group, only specific prey items which represent 1.0% or more of the diet are presented individually. All prey types that are less than 1.0% are grouped into an ‘xxxxxxxx – other’ category where ‘xxxxxxxx’ represents the taxonomic group. A few conditions in the predator-based data retrieval system require explanation:
|
Prey-Centered Data RetrievalThe choices available to view data from the prey perspective are much simpler. The only menu choice available is to select the prey species for which you want to retrieve data. The data report is also simplified, listing all predator species in which the prey appears and the percent of the overall diet, both by number and weight (for All Years, All Ages, All States), separately for each Survey. Sample size measurements (from the predator side) are also listed. Percentages listed in this report DO NOT add up in any meaningful way. Researchers are encouraged to use the information on this report to explore more deeply in the predator-based query system. |
UpdatesAs explained above, data are being added to our raw food habits data base on a daily basis. We will update this online version of our data periodically (2-4 times per year) and without notice. Therefore, results that you download today may differ somewhat from results using the same menu choices that you obtain in the future. You should make note of the date listed at the bottom of the data report. |
Future Improvements
|
Citation
|
Disclaimer
|
Literature Cited:
- Buckel, J.A., D.O. Conover, N.D. Steinberg, and K.A. McKown. 1999. Impact of age-0 bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) predation on age-0 fishes in the Hudson River estuary: evidence for density-dependent loss of juvenile striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56:275-287.
- Griffin, J. C. and Margraf, F. J. (2003), The diet of Chesapeake Bay striped bass in the late 1950s. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 10: 323–328. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2400.2003.00367.x
- Hartman, K.J. and S.B. Brandt 1995 Trophic resource partitioning, diets, and growth of sympatric estuarine predators. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 124(4):520-537.
- Walter, J.F, Overton, A.S., K.H. Ferry, and M.E. Mather. 2003. Atlantic Coast feeding habits of striped bass: a synthesis of data supporting a comprehensive coast-wide understanding of the trophic biology. Fisheries Management and Ecology. 10:349-360