Size-structured piscivory: advection and the linkage between predator and prey recruitment in young-of-the-year bluefish

Abstract

Results suggest that advection into high latitudes permits spring-spawned bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix to exploit habitats at an earlier time and at a larger size than would otherwise be possible. This unique strategy also allows bluefish to accelerate the onset of piscivory by timing their estuarine entry with the appearance of small coastal fishes. The relationships between bluefish and their prey are determined by a complex interplay between recruitment timing of both predatory and prey, relative prey (size and type) abundances and predator selectivities. -from Authors