Feeding of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Newfoundland waters

The diet of capelin (Mallolus villosus Muller) from six areas off the Newfo undland and Labrador coast was compared over three seasons (January, May-Ju ne, August-September) in 1999. A total of 1247 stomachs were examined. Of t hese, 837 (67%) contained food. The proportion of empty stomachs was higher in winter (55%) than in spring (28%) or autumn (20%). Copepods were the ma jor prey over all areas and seasons, occurring in 90% of non-empty stomachs . Hyperiid amphipods, euphausiids, larvaceans and chaetognaths were also im portant, occurring in 30%, 11%, 9% and 7% of non-empty stomachs respectivel y. The importance of these other prey groups increased with increasing cape lin size. Larger capelin contained larger prey. There were also spatial and temporal differences in diet. Capelin from Placentia Bay, southeastern New foundland, consumed smaller copepods and a higher proportion of amphipods t han capelin from other areas. Diet composition, particularly the incidence of lipid-rich Calanus species, may influence capelin growth.