available food resources. Although much is known about the feeding 

 habits and food selection exhibited by the adults and sub-adults of 

 estuarine dependent species, only a limited literature exists on the 

 feeding habits of the smaller juvenile individuals (i.e., individuals 

 less than 50-60 mm in length). Moreover, in those instances in which 

 feeding habits of juvenile fishes have been investigated, the study 

 has usually been confined to but a single species or to a small number 

 of related species. 



This investigation was concerned with the feeding habits of the 

 juveniles of all available species of fish inhabiting nursery areas in 

 the near-shore estuarine zone between the Crystal and Withlacoochee 

 Rivers on the northwest coast of Florida. Feeding habits of juvenile 

 fishes were determined by quantitative analyses of gut contents of 

 freshly preserved specimens collected in bi-monthly samples. Analyses 

 provided information on selective feeding, resource and habitat 

 partitioning, interspecific competition, and trophic level and food- 

 chain relationships which are exhibited by these important consumer 

 organisms. (A. A.) 



Keywords: food habits, fishes, nursery areas, estuaries, food chain, 

 Florida 



IV-D-24 



Skinner, J.E. (compiler). 1972. Ecological studies of the Sacramento- 

 San Joaquin estuary. California Department of Fish and Game, Delta 

 Fish and Wildlife Protection Study Report No. 8. 94 pp. 



This publication is a result of a study begun in 1961 and is intended 

 to summarize existing knowledge about the principal fish and wildlife 

 resources of the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary, their ecological 

 relationships, and their environmental requirements, with emphasis on 

 requirements relating to water development. Information is included 

 on phytoplankton, invertebrate animals, fisheries, and waterfowl and 

 other wildlife. Individual articles are discussed elsewhere in this 

 publication. (See III-F-27, IV-D-25, IV-E-28, IV-E-32, and V-A-11.) 

 (B.W.) 



Keywords: estuaries, fisheries resources, phytoplankton, invertebrates, 

 waterfowl, wildlife, California 



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