Which food items are staples in the pelagic diet of the Xeme during its winter life in cold-water upwelling zones?
Answer
Small marine fish, zooplankton components like amphipods, and bristleworms
When the Xeme transitions away from landmasses to the open ocean, its sustenance comes from rich marine resources, often associated with cold-water currents like the Humboldt and Benguela systems. The pelagic diet emphasizes small marine animals. The staple items include specific small fish such as Arctic cod, threespine stickleback, and rainbow smelt. Furthermore, they consume various crustaceans, including shrimp and zooplankton like amphipods and mysids, alongside marine worms like polychaetes (bristleworms). This shift highlights an absolute necessity for dietary change corresponding to their bipolar geographical locations.
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