Intraspecific diversity in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) drives unique
top-down control in coastal food web
Abstract
Diversity in life histories within species profoundly influences
biological interactions and resonates throughout food webs, yet
quantifying these intricate processes is challenging. To explore the
impact of intraspecific diversity on food web functioning, we applied
century-long observational dataset of the fish community in the coastal
Skagerrak to an allometric trophic network model. Representing fish,
zooplankton, and phytoplankton taxa as 148 guilds interlinked by 2054
feeding links, we constructed the Skagerrak food web and quantified the
roles of two Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) ecotypes. Our results revealed
a compelling dynamic: the coastal Fjord cod ecotype had a pronounced
intraspecific influence on the biomass growth of the offshore North Sea
cod ecotype, whereas the North Sea cod ecotype exerted stronger
interspecific top-down control on other fish species. The coexistence of
these ecotypes enhanced ecosystem robustness and connectivity. These
findings highlight the critical importance of incorporating
intraspecific diversity into sustainable fisheries management practices.