The Effects of Front-Associated Wind Events and Resultant Sediment Resuspension on Dietary Habits and Caloric Intake of Bay Anchovy and Age-0 Atlantic Croaker in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Abstract

We examined the effects of wind-driven sediment resuspension on the stomach fullness, prey composition, and caloric intake of Bay Anchovy Anchoa mitchilli, a particulate planktivore, and age-0 Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus, a benthic omnivore, in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Mobile Bay is a shallow estuary in the northern Gulf of Mexico with substrates ranging from silt to small sand. High-wind events were associated with cold fronts and were characterized by wind velocities ≥4.0 m/s. Bay Anchovy stomachs were less full during such events and gut contents contained greater contributions by low-calorie items. Atlantic Croaker stomach fullness did not differ significantly with wind speed. However, prey composition during high-wind events shifted toward high-calorie items. These scenarios imply that high-wind events in Mobile Bay could have an adverse effect on energy uptake by resident Bay Anchovy but may benefit energy uptake by Atlantic Croaker. Received December 14, 2012; accepted March 23, 2013. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.