Ecology of Macrourus berglax
 
Main Ref. Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N. Scialabba, 1990
Remarks Epibenthic, in deep waters down to 2740 m (Ref. 58426). Commonly found in about 300-500 m depth. Temperature preferences appear to range from about 1-4°C, although bottom temperatures below 0°C have been recorded at capture depths. Amphipods predominate in the diet, although polychaetes and various natant crustaceans are also important. Also feeds on bivalves, isopods, echinoderms (notably ophiuroids), and ctenophores (Ref. 1371). Consumed primarily benthic organisms (Ref. 51343). Parasites of the species include 3 myxosporidians, 1 monogenean (Macruricotyle newfoundlandiae), 3 cestodes, 6 trematodes, 4 nematodes, 1 acanthocephalan, 2 protozoans (Glugea berglax and Eimeria sp.), copepod (Sphyrion lumpi) and 3 crustaceans; Davisia newfoundlandia, Zschokkella kudoi, Cyclocotyloides pinguis and Clavellomimus macruri being specific to roughhead grenadier (Ref. 5951).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Macrourus berglax may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic;
Substrate Ref. Coad, B.W. and J.D. Reist, 2004
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref. Wayland, M.T., C. Sommerville and D.I. Gibson, 1999
Associations parasitism; shoaling;
Associated with Echinorhynchus gadi; Echinorhynchus sp. (Ref. 65465);
Association remarks Study concluding this species form spawning populations with a predominance of males at 700-800 m depth on the Atlantic Tren and Rest Banks during winter-spring. Also reported large catches by bottom trawl and long-line near Iceland and in the NW Atlantic (Ref. 33722).
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N. Scialabba, 1990
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref.
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 4.48 0.77
From individual food items 3.77 0.49 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Bjelland, O., O.A. Bergstad, J.E. Skjæraasen and K. Meland, 2000
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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