scholarly journals Feeding habits of Aspitrigla cuculus (L., 1758) (red gurnard), Lepidotrigla cavillone (Lac., 1802) (large scale gurnard) and Trigloporus lastoviza (Brunn., 1768) (rock gurnard) around Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands (E. Mediterranean)

2000 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. TERRATS ◽  
G. PETRAKIS ◽  
C. PAPACONSTANTINOU
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Bottom Trawling ◽  
Percentage Frequency ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance

The feeding habits of the three most abundant gurnard species, red gurnard (Aspitrigla cuculus), large scale gurnard (Lepidotrigla cavillone) and rock gurnard (Trigloporus lastoviza) in the eastern Mediterranean (Dodecanese and Cyclades, Greece) are examined. The stomach contents of the gurnard specimens collected in April and September 1996 by bottom trawling were analyzed. The % frequency of occurrence, % number and % weight of prey types in the stomach contents were evaluated. By weight, Mysidacea and Decapoda dominated in the diet of the three species in both seasons, however the Index of Relative Importance, as well as the percentage frequency of occurrence varied. Rock gurnard presented the most diverse diet whereas the diet of large scale and red gurnard were more specialized. High overlap in terms of number was found between rock and large scale gurnard in May. Rock gurnard had the most divers diet in both seasons.

scholarly journals Diet and feeding habits of Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from northern Kerala, South-west coast of India

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. P. Manojkumar ◽  
P. P. Pavithran
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
West Coast Of India ◽  
South West ◽  
South West Coast ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Maximum Similarity

Composition of the diet of greater lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795), caught from northern Kerala, south-west coast of India was studied and described. The stomachs of 1981 specimens were collected between January, 2012 and June, 2014. Analysis of stomach contents based on index of relative importance (IRI) revealed that this species is exclusively piscivorous. Contrary to other benthic predators of the study area, it mainly feeds on pelagic and demersal fishes(IRI = 63.2), molluscs (IRI = 17.86), crustaceans (IRI = 18.33) and other miscellaneous items (IRI = 2.54). The diet of S. tumbil were found to be related to the seasonal availability of resources, occurrence of juveniles of certain species and on the migration of fishes from nearby places to the study area. Significant changes in prey items were observed between predator length groups, but a positive, significant relationship was recorded between prey size and predator size (p<0.05). Statistical analysis indicated a uniform representation of different diets in the stomach. Maximum similarity in diet between different food items was found in April and November.

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.

scholarly journals Feeding habits of Cocobolo Andinoacara pulcher in the cienaga Grande de Lorica, Colombia

2016 ◽  
pp. 5189-5197
Author(s):  
Charles W Olaya-Nieto ◽  
Liquey Camargo-Herrera ◽  
Vanessa Díaz-Sajonero ◽  
Fredys F Segura-Guevara
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Stomach Content ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Gut Length

ABSTRACTObjective. The feeding habits of Cocobolo (Andinoacara pulcher) in the cienaga Grande de Lorica, Sinu river basin, were studied. Materials and methods. The stomach content was analyzed using the Proportion of empty stomachs, Grade of digestion, Frequency of occurrence, numerical Frequency, Gravimetry, relative importance Index (RII) and the gut length-total length relationship. Results. 39.8% of stomachs were empty, 47.1% of preys were fresh and five food groups were identified. Vegetable remains was the most frequent group (63.8%) and the prey with greatest composition in weight (33.5%), while Rest of fishes was the most abundant group (34.7%). It was observed that in low and rising waters, fishes was the most consumed prey, while that in high and falling waters the most consumed prey was vegetable remains. Vegetable remains, detritus and fishes were food groups of secondary relative importance, while Insects and Others were circumstantial or incidental groups. Conclusions. The results achieved indicate that Cocobolo is a fish with omnivores feeding habits with a preference for fishes and vegetable remains. RESUMEN Objetivo. Se estudiaron los hábitos alimentarios de Cocobolo (Andinoacara pulcher) en la ciénaga Grande de Lorica, cuenca del río Sinú, Colombia. Materiales y Métodos. El contenido estomacal se evaluó con el Coeficiente de vacuidad, Grado de llenado, Grado de digestión, Frecuencia de ocurrencia, Frecuencia numérica, Gravimetría, Índice de importancia relativa y la relación longitud intestinal- longitud total. Resultados. El 39.8% de los estómagos se encontró vacío, el 47.1% de las presas en estado fresco y se identificaron cinco grupos alimentarios. Material vegetal fue el grupo más frecuente (63.8%) y con mayor composición por peso (33.5%), mientras que Restos de peces fue el más abundante (34.7%). Se observó que en aguas bajas y en aguas ascendentes, peces fue la presa más consumida, mientras que en aguas altas y aguas descendentes, fue material vegetal. Material vegetal, detritos y restos de peces fueron grupos alimentarios de importancia relativa secundaria, mientras que insectos y otros fueron circunstanciales o incidentales. Conclusiones. Los resultados alcanzados indican que Cocobolo es un pez de hábitos alimentarios omnívoros con preferencia por peces y material vegetal.

scholarly journals Seasonal variation on diet of juvenile Elops saurus Linnaeus, 1766 (Ladyfish) in the Parnaiba River Delta

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane Araujo Santos ◽  
Thamires Souza Gonçalves ◽  
Patricia Silva do Nascimento ◽  
Cézar Augusto Freire Fernandes ◽  
Francisca Edna de Andrade Cunha
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Importance Index

Abstract: Aim Identify seasonal variations in the diet of juvenile living in the estuary of the Parnaíba River Delta. Methods Food items were identified through analysis of stomach contents, and later submitted to analysis by regular methods for Frequency of Occurrence (FO), Frequency Numerical (FN), Gravimetric Frequency (FW) and Relative Importance Index (IRI). Results Juvenile diet of Elops saurus that inhabit the lagoons in the Parnaíba delta was composed in order decreasing of importance by Osteichthyes (Teleostei), Insecta and Crustacea in addition to Polychaeta and Nematoda. It was also observed a high frequency of occurrence of fragments of plastics in the diet. In the rainy season, 17 items were recorded in the diet, whereas in the dry season only 7 items were present. Relative Importance Index showed high presence of the Teleostei fish (69.93%) on diet of E. saurus during the rainy season, whereas during the dry period the insects of the families Corixidae (43.25%) and Dysticidae (39.16%). Conclusions With the study it was possible to identify that juvenile are piscivorous in the rainy season when there is a higher availability of prey in the environment and insectivores in the dry season when it reduces the supply of food, indicating feeding flexibility to environmental alterations.

Hard prey specialists or opportunistic generalists? An examination of the diet of the cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Collins ◽  
M. R. Heupel ◽  
R. E. Hueter ◽  
P. J. Motta
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Charlotte Harbor ◽  
Severe Damage ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Cownose Ray ◽  
Rhinoptera Bonasus ◽  
Group Feeding ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance

Atlantic cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are benthic, suction feeders whose foraging activities have been implicated in severe damage to commercial shellfish industries. With jaws highly modified for durophagy, it has been assumed that R. bonasus are crushing specialists that feed primarily upon hard molluscan prey. Stomach contents from R. bonasus caught within Florida’s Charlotte Harbor estuary between July 2003 and July 2004 were analysed using the index of relative importance (IRI) to determine most important prey types. Prey items were identified from 38 families and fell into nine distinctive groups. The three most dominant prey groups were crustaceans (%IRI = 55.31), polychaetes (%IRI = 25.20) and bivalves (%IRI = 12.58). Shoalmates had more similar diets than non-shoalmates, suggesting group feeding. Most small or softer-bodied prey consumed were relatively intact, indicating lack of prey processing and capture through suction feeding. All larger, harder-bodied prey showed evidence of crushing (fractured and broken shells). Although R. bonasus has been characterised as a hard prey specialist, these results suggest it may behave as an opportunistic generalist, modifying feeding behaviour to consume readily available prey.

scholarly journals Feeding habits of Lithobates megapoda (Anura: Ranidae), a threatened leopard frog used for human consumption, in Lake Chapala, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-88
Author(s):  
José Luis Barragán-Ramírez ◽  
Benjamín Hernández ◽  
María Guadalupe Velarde-Aguilar ◽  
Oscar Pérez-Flores ◽  
José Luis Navarrete-Heredia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Prey Type ◽  
Leopard Frog ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Prey Category ◽  
Lake Chapala

The Big-footed Leopard Frog (Lithobates megapoda) is a threatened and endemic species from western Mexico. This species has aquatic habits and it is distinguished by its large size, particularly by the length of its legs, reason for which it is captured for human consumption. Also, knowledge about its natural history is scarce and incomplete. In this study, we analyzed the composition of the diet of L. megapoda on the shore of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. A total of 69 adult individuals were collected lifeless in fishing nets, during the rainy season (June-October), of which 48 had stomach contents. A total of 96 prey items were identified, which correspond to 13 prey categories. Fish constituted the most dominant prey category in the diet in terms of number, volume, frequency of occurrence, and relative importance. No significant differences were found in the consumption by prey type (aquatic or terrestrial). However, the aquatic preys had a greater relative importance and were more voluminous than the terrestrial ones. The diversity of prey categories, in terms of prey volume, indicates males may have a higher dietary diversity than females, but we not evaluated possible bias. In addition, a significant effect was found in the interaction of size (SVL) of frogs with the average of prey volume. Females (that are larger than males) consumed prey within a wide volume range and, the larger they are, more voluminous are prey. In this way it is possible that intraspecific competition for trophic resources in the environment is reduced. This study helps us understand the trophic ecology of L. megapoda, a frog species that plays an important role in the food web where it lives, as a predator feeding on aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

scholarly journals Aspectos da alimentação natural de Larimus breviceps Cuvier, 1830, proveniente do litoral norte da Paraíba, Brasil

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (52) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Andreza Da Silva Nascimento ◽  
Jonas De Assis Almeida Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Marine Debris ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Synthetic Material ◽  
Fish Feeding ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Social Importance

<p>The knowledge of natural fish feeding is important to understand the species feeding habits and how they interact with the environment. In addition to that, this kind of research can provide relevant data to improve the capture of these animals, considering their economy and social importance. This study aimed to analyze the food composition of Larimus breviceps specimens from the northern coast of Cabedelo city, evaluating the importance of each food item for their diet. The specimens came from the local artisanal fisheries. In laboratory, the individuals were identified, measured and dissected to remove the stomachs content and then examined. Three different analyzes were performed, percentage by frequency of occurrence, by number and by weight, then the index of relative importance (IRI%) was computed. In total, 30 stomachs were analyzed, 15 distinct food items were identified, the most representative prey were fish fragments, Copepoda, Gammaridae, Decapoda (shrimp), algal fragments and synthetic material. Given the results, the diet of this species becomes more diversified as young individuals reach the adults size, and ingest marine debris which indicates an anthropogenic impact.</p>

Swordfish Xiphias gladius diet in the Florida Straits

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 695-706
Author(s):  
Amy M Heemsoth ◽  
Amy C Hirons ◽  
Caroline M Collatos ◽  
David W Kerstetter
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Crustacean Species ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Xiphias Gladius ◽  
Florida Straits ◽  
Prey Length ◽  
Positive Significant Correlation

Swordfish Xiphias gladius inhabit the Florida Straits year-round and provide a significant role in the food web as top-level predators. However, little is known about the diet composition and thus ecological role of swordfish in Florida. This study investigated swordfish diet by analyzing stomach contents of 131 swordfish in the Florida Straits from April 2007 to December 2008. Identifiable species included 13 teleost species, 3 cephalopod species, and 1 crustacean species. Cephalopods dominated the swordfish diet by weight (72.4%) and number (69.9%), and ranked highest in importance in the diet by the index of relative importance (IRI; 81.5%). Teleosts occurred the most (99.1%) but represented the second highest importance in diet by weight (25.2%), number (26.3%), and IRI (17.6%). Illex sp. was the prey with the greatest dietary importance, followed by unidentifiable ommastrephid squids. Stomach fullness index values ranged from 0 (empty) to 8.98 (mean = 0.37). A positive significant correlation between swordfish length and prey length was found (r2 = 0.104, P = 0.037), and no significant correlations were found between swordfish weight and prey weight (r2 = –0.075, P = 0.065). This is the first study to report a comprehensive diet of swordfish inhabiting waters in the Florida Straits region and suggests swordfish may be opportunistic feeders, altering their diet when abundance or presence of prey changes.

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.

Feeding ecology of the piked spurdog Squalus megalops (Chondrichthyes: Squalidae) in the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Sondes Marouani ◽  
Hasna Kadri ◽  
Sami Karaa ◽  
Mohamed Nejmeddine Bradai
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Gulf Of Gabes ◽  
Gulf Of Gabès ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Three Factor

The present study investigated the feeding ecology of the piked spurdog (Squalus megalops) in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) with regard to sex, size class and season. A study of stomach contents from the 630 individuals examined showed that the species consumed teleosts (percentage index of relative importance (%IRI)=80.32), cephalopods (%IRI=11.96) and crustaceans (%IRI=7.68). A three-factor multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) demonstrated significant differences in diet related to size, season and sex. Trophic position analysis revealed that S. megalops is a secondary consumer throughout its life. Quantitative analysis indicated that the species is a generalist feeder with an ontogenetic change in preferred prey from crustaceans to teleosts. The niche breadths of S. megalops in both sexes were broad.

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