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Fluctuations in Numbers and Activity of Inshore Demersal Fishes in Shetland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

H. Kruuk
Affiliation:
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory AB3 4BY, Scotland
B. Nolet
Affiliation:
† Department of Zoology, University of Groningen, Haren, Netherlands
D. French
Affiliation:
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory AB3 4BY, Scotland

Extract

Prey populations, patterns of availability, and dispersion of prey can have farreaching effects on numbers and range-sizes of terrestrial Carnivora (Macdonald, 1983; Kruuk & Parish, 1982; Kruuk & Macdonald, 1985). These parameters may therefore also affect populations of otters Lutra lutra, living in the sea around Shetland, U.K., as well as populations of fish-eating birds there. This paper presents observations on fluctuations in numbers and activity of several species of demersal fish, over a 3½ year period, along a coast in Shetland. It aims to provide information on the distribution and availability of these species to some predators, especially to the otter, but also to the heron Ardea cinerea, the black guillemot Cepphus grylle and others.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1988

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