Feeding and spatial distribution of two estuarine puffer fish in a tropical estuary, north-eastern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Rocha Vasconcelos Araújo ◽  
Silvia Yasmin Lustosa Costa ◽  
Maria Rita Nascimento Duarte ◽  
André Luiz Machado Pessanha
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Tropical Estuary ◽  
Beach Seine ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Puffer Fish ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance

The distribution and feeding ecology of two puffer fish, Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Colomesus psittacus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), were investigated in a tropical estuary (north-eastern Brazil). The hypothesis tested was that these two species partition available resources spatially, and that the effects of interspecific competition can be reduced by changes in the feeding strategy and using alternative resources. This study was carried out between February 2011 and January 2012, on a beach and three tidal creeks of the Mamanguape River estuary. Data on the distribution and relative abundance of the two species were collected using beach seine, with data on temperature, salinity and turbidity also recorded. The diets of the species (S. testudineus N = 399; C. psittacus N = 108) were analysed by the Index of Relative Importance (IRI). Sphoeroides testudineus was found in the entire area, but was particularly abundant in the upper estuary, while C. psittacus was captured exclusively in the upper estuary, with all individuals assumed to be juveniles. In regard to feeding, juvenile S. testudineus predated on Bivalves, Ceratopogonidae larvae, calanoids and gastropods; whilst C. psittacus showed a diet more specialized in Brachyura and Cirripedia. These results suggest that there are differences in both habitat utilization and feeding habits of these two puffer fish species in this estuary.

Resource partitioning among juvenile snappers in a semi-arid estuary in north-eastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 807-816
Author(s):  
Silvia Yasmin Lustosa-Costa ◽  
Maria Rita Nascimento Duarte ◽  
Priscila Rocha Vasconcelos Araújo ◽  
André Luiz Machado Pessanha
Keyword(s):  
Resource Partitioning ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Mouth Area ◽  
The Body ◽  
Beach Seine ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Species Being ◽  
Semi Arid

AbstractResource partitioning is important for species coexistence. Species with similar ecomorphological characters have a high potential for competition, especially when close phylogenetically. The diet and resource partitioning of four snappers (Lutjanus alexandrei, L. analis, L. jocu and L. synagris) was studied in the Tubarão River, north-eastern Brazil, between March and November 2012. Specimens were caught using a beach seine, and a total of 731 stomachs were analysed. The highest abundance of snappers was found near to vegetated habitats in the middle estuary. Crustaceans were dominant in the diet of all four species, being found in over 90% of the stomachs, followed by fish and molluscs. The species did not appear to compete for common resources, probably because there was not always spatial overlap, and differences in the proportions of consumption of items were observed. Ontogenetic comparisons of dietary compositions suggested differences among species, with changes in the diet related to changes in the mouth area as the body size increased. The changes were more evident in L. analis and L. synagris where microcrustaceans (Calanoida, Cyclopoida and Amphipoda) were dominant in the diet of the smaller size classes, and benthic crustaceans (Brachyura) and fish in the diet of larger individuals. The intra- and inter-specific differences in the dietary compositions, differences in the mouth area and feeding strategy contribute to allow the co-existence of these snappers in the study area.

scholarly journals Food resource utilization of the skates Rioraja agassizii (Müller & Henle, 1841) and Psammobatis extenta (Garman, 1913) on the continental shelf off Ubatuba, South-eastern Brazil

2001 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Y. MUTO ◽  
L. S. H. SOARES ◽  
R. GOITEIN
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Stomach Content Analysis ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Important Food ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Food Resource Utilization

The feeding habits of Rioraja agassizii (syn. Raja agassizii) and Psammobatis extenta (syn. Psammobatis glansdissimilis) of the South-eastern Brazilian coast were studied by means of stomach content analysis. The samples were obtained on eight seasonal oceanographic cruises, carried out between October 1985 and July 1987. The importance of each food item was evaluated on the basis of the Index of Relative Importance and the feeding similarity by Percentage of Similarity. The results indicated that both species are benthic feeders, preying mainly on Crustacea, especially Amphipoda, Caridea and Brachyura. Teleostei were also important for R. agassizii. Seasonal variation of the diet seems to be associated with the availability of the prey, whose distribution and abundance are related to the dynamics of the water masses of the region. Juveniles and adults of P. extenta exploited the same resources while juveniles and adults of R. agassizii presented low diet similarity during most of the year. Caridea were an important food for all length classes of R. agassizii, while Amphipoda were for smaller specimens, and Teleostei for larger ones. The feeding overlap between the two species was higher during autumn 1986, winter 1986 and winter 1987.

Age and growth of Alitta succinea (Polychaeta; Nereididae) in a tropical estuary of Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 2123-2128 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.S.C. Sette ◽  
R.A. Shinozaki-Mendes ◽  
T.L. Barros ◽  
J.R.B. Souza
Keyword(s):  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Length Distribution ◽  
Information Criteria ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Tropical Estuary ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Shallow Subtidal

The aim of this work was to study the dynamics of Alitta succinea population growth in a tropical estuary. The organisms were collected in the polyhaline area of Pina Basin, north-eastern Brazil, in lower and shallow subtidal consolidated substrates, from October 2009 to March 2011. Fifteen samples with a size of 0.01 m2 were collected every month. A total of 2064 A. succinea individuals were measured for growth analysis, and the measure used was the length from prostomium to the 25th setiger. Growth parameters were estimated by the frequency–length distribution data from three different functions (i.e. von Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Richards). The differences in the densities of A. succinea were significant between the months of the dry and the rainy season, with the rain pattern being the factor that most affects the A. succinea life cycle. According to Akaike information criteria, the von Bertalanffy and Gompertz models were the ones that presented the best fit with the growth curve of A. succinea for the studied period. Using the Bhattacharya method for the analysis of modal progression, we identified eight cohorts. The lowest recruitment values were found in July and August 2010, respectively, and the remaining months had numbers of recruits that were representative of the total population. The growth performance index (Ø′) found was 2.86. The maximum longevity indicates that specimens of A. succinea live between 586 and 953 d, and the instantaneous mortality rate (Z) is 1.53 yr−1.

Distribution patterns of the fish assemblage in the Mamanguape River Estuary, North-eastern Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Paiva Morais Medeiros ◽  
Josias Henrique de Amorim Xavier ◽  
Marianna Barbosa da Silva ◽  
Luana Aires-Souza ◽  
Ierecê Maria de Lucena Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern

scholarly journals Diet Composition and Trophic Level of Greater Forkbeard Phycis blennoides (Gadiform: Phycidae) from the Algerian Coast

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-144
Author(s):  
Zakia Alioua ◽  
Soumia Amira ◽  
Farid Derbal ◽  
Mounira Rachedi ◽  
Lamia Bahbah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Level ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Algerian Coast ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance

Abstract The diet of the greater forkbeard Phycis blennoides (Brünnich, 1768) of the Algerian coast was studied between December 2013 and June 2015, providing information on its ecology for a better understanding of the feeding strategy. A total of 956 individuals, whose total length (TL) varied between 9.7 and 54.5 cm and weight (W) between 2.80 and 1334.11 g, were examined. The index of relative importance (%IRI), combining the three main descriptors of the presence of different ingested prey (%F, %N, %W), was used to characterize the relative importance of different food taxa. Qualitative and quantitative variations in diet were studied according to sex, size and seasons. The average annual digestive vacuity index (%V) was 5.51. It did not vary between seasons (x2cal = 5.43, x2th = 7.82, α = 5%) and size (x2cal = 2.08, x2th = 5.99, α = 5%), but was different between male (%V = 4.94) and female (%V= 12.78). Qualitative analysis of stomach contents reveals a fairly diverse range of predation with 1342 preys counted for a total weight of 462.84 g, which corresponds to an average number (AN) and weight (AW) of 3.03 and 1.04 g, respectively. This species feeds on benthic preys, composed mainly of natantia crustaceans (%IRI = 44.84) and teleost fish (%IRI = 2.61) with intraspecific preys (%IRI = 6.15). This cannibalism was frequent in specimens with a TL that exceeds 20 cm; it was even more frequent in females as well as in winter. Significant differences in feeding habits of P. blennoides occurred according to sex, fish size and between seasons. The trophic level (TROPH) was high (3.66 < TROPH < 3.97), corresponding to carnivorous character.

Feeding ecology of three sympatric species of stingrays on a tropical mudflat

2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 999-1007
Author(s):  
Kean Chong Lim ◽  
Ving Ching Chong ◽  
Phaik-Eem Lim ◽  
Tatsuya Yurimoto ◽  
Kar Hoe Loh
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Disc Width ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Prey Specialization ◽  
Important Food Item

AbstractPeriodic fish ingressions into intertidal areas during high tide are known to occur on tropical mudflats. This study aimed to elucidate the feeding ground function of coastal mudflats for three common stingray species in the Klang Strait, Malaysia. Stingrays (disc width range from 5.65–54.50 cm) sampled over 17 months using a large barrier net (~2 ha enclosure) at two sampling sites were examined for their diet composition, prey frequency and prey volume according to predator species and maturity. The index of relative importance and Schoener's index of diet overlap were calculated. The three stingray species fed on relatively similar prey items which varied in size and contribution. Brevitrygon heterura fed on the widest range of prey taxa (28) whereas Hemitrygon bennetti (22) and Telatrygon biasa (17) showed higher prey specialization. The Penaeidae (dominantly Metapenaeus brevicornis and M. affinis) were the most important food item in the stingray diet which also included Actinopterygii, Amphipoda, Brachyura and Calanoida. The stingray diet showed an ontogenetic shift, with young stingrays tending to be generalists whereas the more mature stingrays (except H. bennetti) become more specialized in their feeding habits. This shift in feeding strategy reflects the diversity of prey taxa abundantly available to young stingrays on the mudflats, while the larger stingrays adapt to feed on larger prey once they enter deeper waters.

Feeding Habits of Larval Acanthogobius flavimanus from the Nakdong River Estuary, Korea

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-158
Author(s):  
Hee Chan Choi ◽  
Jeong Hyun Cho ◽  
Sung Hoi Huh ◽  
Joo Myun Park
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Nakdong River ◽  
Acanthogobius Flavimanus ◽  
The Nakdong River

Taxonomy of Nystiellidae (Caenogastropoda, Epitonioidea) from Brazil, with description of three new species from the South-western Atlantic

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 1619-1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Dias Pimenta ◽  
Bruno Garcia Andrade ◽  
Ricardo Silva Absalão
Keyword(s):  
Rio Grande ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
The South ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern

A taxonomic revision of the Nystiellidae from Brazil, including samples from the Rio Grande Rise, South Atlantic, was performed based on shell morphology. Five genera and 17 species were recognized. For the richest genus,Eccliseogyra, the three species previously recorded from Brazil were revised:E. brasiliensisandE. maracatu, previously known only from their respective type series, were re-examined. Newly available material ofE. maracatuexpanded the known geographic range of this species to off south-east Brazil.Eccliseogyra nitidais now recorded from north-eastern to south-eastern Brazil, as well as from the Rio Grande Rise. Three species ofEccliseogyraare newly recorded from the South Atlantic:E. monnioti, previously known from the north-eastern Atlantic, occurs off eastern Brazil and on the Rio Grande Rise; its protoconch is described for the first time, confirming its family allocation.Eccliseogyra pyrrhiasoccurs off eastern Brazil and on the Rio Grande Rise, andE. folinioff eastern Brazil. The genusIphitusis newly recorded from the South Atlantic.Iphitus robertsiwas found off northern Brazil, although the shells show some differences from the type material, with less-pronounced spiral keels. Additional new finds showed thatIphitus cancellatusranges from eastern Brazil to the Rio Grande Rise, and Iphitusnotiossp. nov. is restricted to the Rio Grande Rise.Narrimania, previously recorded from Brazil based on dubious records, is confirmed, including the only two living species described for the genus:N. azelotes, previously only known from the type locality in Florida, andN. concinna, previously known from the Mediterranean. A third species,Narrimania raquelaesp. nov. is described from eastern Brazil, diagnosed by its numerous and thinner cancellate sculpture. To the three species ofOpaliopsispreviously known from Brazil, a fourth species,O. arnaldoisp. nov., is added from eastern Brazil, and diagnosed by its very thin spiral sculpture, absence of a varix, and thinner microscopic parallel axial striae.Papuliscala nordestina, originally described from north-east Brazil, is recorded off eastern Brazil and synonymized withP. elongata, a species previously known only from the North Atlantic.

Population biology and diet of the puffer fish Lagocephalus laevigatus (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) in Caraguatatuba Bay, south-eastern Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. Denadai ◽  
F.B. Santos ◽  
E. Bessa ◽  
L.P. Bernardes ◽  
A. Turra
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Entire Study Period ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Puffer Fish ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Sexually Mature

This study describes the spatio-temporal distribution, population biology, and diet of the puffer fish Lagocephalus laevigatus in Caraguatatuba Bay, south-eastern Brazil. Monthly samples were taken between August 2003 and October 2004 by trawls in two areas, south and north, at depths of 1 to 4 m. The fish were measured and their sex and reproductive stage determined. The abundance of this species was compared between areas and among months, and the items in the diet were identified and quantified. Lagocephalus laevigatus was rare in Caraguatatuba Bay, where only 199 small individuals (4.8 to 15.4 cm) were obtained in the entire study period, suggesting that this species uses the estuary as a nursery. None of the specimens of L. laevigatus captured in Caraguatatuba Bay were sexually mature. Higher densities of L. laevigatus in the bay were recorded in the south area and between October and December 2003, i.e. in the spring, suggesting that spawning may occur from late winter to spring (August through to November). The diet items consumed by L. laevigatus in Caraguatatuba Bay were, as expected from the current literature, crustaceans, mainly amphipods, and fish. However, the most-consumed item was the sea whip Leptogorgia setacea (Cnidaria). This feeding habit may be related to the presence of toxins (tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin) that are frequently found in the skin and viscera of L. laevigatus, which may be sequestered from the sea whip, which possibility still needs to be specifically evaluated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document