FEEDING HABITATS OF SPOT, LEIOSTOMUSXANTHURUS, IN POLYHALINE VERSUS MESO-OLIGOHALINE TIDAL CREEKS AND SHOALS l

Abstract

Young-of-year spot, Leiostomus xanthurus, were collected by otter trawl within tidal creeks and on adjacent shoals in polyhaline and meso-oligohaline zones ofthe York River, Virginia. Total densities ofspot at Blevins Creek, a polyhaline system. were twice that ofthe meso-oligohaline Goalders Creek. Stomach content analysis confirmed previous studies of the generally opportunistic feeding strat­ egy ofjuvenile spot. However, distinct differences in food utilization were observed between creeks and among creek and shoal stations. In addition. prey utilization differences due to habitat generally paralleled seasonal distribution patterns of dominant macrobenthos reported for the area. Two major ontogenetic groups were distinguished. Small spot «30 mm SL) consumed more plank­ tonic food items lcalanoid copepods) than the larger size classes, which fed on more benthic prey and displayed greater overlap in diet. Small spot tended to be selective; larger spot were more opportunis­ tic.