The first use of Fulton's K for assessing and comparing the conditions of inter-tidal fish populations

Barrett, Chris J.; Johnson, Magnus; Hall, Nicola J.; Hull, Sue

Abstract

Fulton's K condition factor was applied, for the first time, to inter-tidal specimens of the shanny (Lipophrys pholis) and long-spined scorpion fish (Taurulus bubalis) from two English rocky shore and two Welsh rocky shore sites during summer 2010 and winter 2011. As both species contribute to the diet of commercial species such as cod (Gadus morhua) and near-threatened species such as the European otter (Lutra lutra), their condition may affect that of these predators. Fulton's K found that inter-tidal Welsh fish maintained a ‘good’ condition between seasons, whereas the inter-tidal English fish were in a poorer condition during winter. Although condition also changed amongst the sites on each coast, further studies are needed into fish morphologies, environmental parameters, prey availabilities and abundances, and fish specimen sex and maturities.

Citation

Barrett, C. J., Johnson, M., Hall, N. J., & Hull, S. (2016). The first use of Fulton's K for assessing and comparing the conditions of inter-tidal fish populations. Marine Ecology, 37(1), 42-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12234

• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 1, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 10, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 15, 2017
• Journal: Marine ecology
• Print ISSN: 0173-9565
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 42-45
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12234
• Keywords: Condition; Fish; Lipophrys pholis; Taurulus bubalis; Intertidal; Rocky shore; Fulton's K
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/451387
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/maec.12234/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the author's accepted manuscript of an article accepted for publication in Marine ecology, 2016, v.37 issue 1.
• Contract Date: May 15, 2017