Trophic ecology and fecundity of Fundulus heteroclitus in Chezzetcook Inlet,Nova Scotia

The ontogenetic and seasonal dietary shifts of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus (L.), from eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) beds off the shore of Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada were examined over a 5 mo period in 1980. Switches to abundant, stationary, or high-calorie prey types were observed in the foraging period. Smaller fish generally took less diverse prey. The indices of foregut fullness varied according to body length and season. The successive 10 mm total-length classes of the mummichog (14 to 101 mm TL) consumed whole prey of increasing size. In comparison with populations living further south, the Nova Scotia fish had a shorter spawning period, lower fecundity, and smaller eggs.