California Current Trophic Database - Prey Taxonomy

In total, diet composition data were obtained from 105,694 individual predators among 143 taxa collected throughout the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) from 1967-2019. These taxa consist of squids (n=5), elasmobranchs (n=13), bony fishes (n=118), and marine mammals (n=7), including extensive time series for some predators (e.g., California Sea Lion, Pacific Hake, Chinook Salmon). The CCTD is a first step towards a comprehensive database for the CCLME.

Our intention is to further augment and periodically update the dataset as additional historical or contemporary data become available to increase its utility and impact. The CCTD was created using the Structured Query Language (SQL) and consists of eight data tables. Hierarchical (parent-child) tables include Data Sources, Collection Information, Predator Information, Prey Composition, and Prey Size.

The CCTD contains two taxonomic tables, one for predators (n=143) and one for prey (n=1658), that are linked to the Predator Information and Prey Composition tables. The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) was primarily used for taxonomic reference, and scientific names from each data set were updated accordingly. Additional taxonomic resources (e.g., recent primary literature, California Academy of Fishes Fish Catalog) were incorporated when WoRMS designations seemed dated or unsubstantiated.

A stand-alone Glossary of terms also is included. A single flat file that was created from the five hierarchical SQL tables is provided to the public via SWFSC's Environmental Research Division's ERDDAP site, along with stand-alone Glossary, Predator Taxonomy, and Prey Taxonomy tables.