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Diet and prey selectivity of the mesopelagic lanternfish Myctophum asperum from the Perth Canyon, Western Australia

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Abstract

The diet and prey selectivity of Myctophum asperum were examined from the Perth Canyon (Western Australia). Calanoid copepods were consumed by 83% of the M. asperum examined and constituted 39% of the total number of prey items. Larger adult euphausiids were consumed by 48% of M. asperum and constituted 15% of the total number of prey items. Prey selectivity was assessed using Chesson’s Index and calanoids were not positively selected with M. asperum showing a preference for euphausiids and neutrally selecting most other zooplankton. This study contributes to understanding of the pelagic food web of the Perth Canyon Marine Park.

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adapted from Rennie et al. 2009)

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Acknowledgments

Grateful thanks are extended to Curt Jenner AM and Micheline Jenner AM for providing the opportunity to sample zooplankton from their vessel RV Whale Song whilst they were undertaking blue whale research in the Perth Canyon (Australian Government permit AU-COM2018-406). The plankton sampling was carried out under the Western Australian Department of Fisheries permit exemption 2886 and Murdoch University Animal Ethics permit R2885/16. Funding was provided through a student project allocation by Murdoch University.

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  1. Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Daniel L. Cohen & Lynnath E. Beckley

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  1. Daniel L. Cohen
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Correspondence to Lynnath E. Beckley.

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Cohen, D.L., Beckley, L.E. Diet and prey selectivity of the mesopelagic lanternfish Myctophum asperum from the Perth Canyon, Western Australia. Ichthyol Res 68, 294–302 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-020-00782-2

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