Influence of Alternative Prey Abundance on Pelagic Fish Predation of Larval Fish: A Model

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Abstract
In this model of predation on larval fish by pelagic fish, I postulate that variations in the abundance of the more numerous alternative prey population can determine the time required by a predator to attain its maximum ration. The model predicts that larval fish mortality should be a direct function of the abundance of their predator scaled relative to alternative prey abundance. A test of the model using data from the California Current reveals that mortality of larval northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) shows a significant relationship with the predator-to-prey ratio (pelagic fish biomass/Zooplankton biomass). Other possible interpretations of this result and problems of model parameterization are discussed.

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