scholarly journals The use of premaxillary bones of six fish species in giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) diet analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-142
Author(s):  
Maria del Pilar Becerra Cardona ◽  
Heiddy Asunción Mallea Cardenas ◽  
Paul André Van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Standard Length ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Bolivian Amazon ◽  
Pteronura Brasiliensis

The premaxillary bones of fish are considered key bones due to their highly differentiated features, allowing the identification to species level. When these bones are present in the latrines of giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), they can be used to identify fish species and estimate the size of prey consumed. We briefly describe the differentiable morphological characteristics of premaxillary bones,useful for the successful identification of six fish species which are important prey for giant otter in the Paraguá river (Bolivian Amazon): Hoplias malabaricus (family Erithrynidae), Serrasalmus rhombeus, Pygocentrus nattereri (family Characidae), Chaetobranchus flavescens, Satanoperca pappaterra and Astronotus crassipinnis (family Cichlidae). We also present the linear regression equations which can be used to estimate the standard length ofthese fish species based on their bone measurements. Overall, 19 latrine samples were analyzed, which contained 109 premaxillarybones of these six species. Of the bones collected, 53% allowed successful estimation of the standard length of the fish consumed. The use of premaxillary bones in diet studies has a high potential as it permits the identification and estimation of prey size for the majority of species consumed. This method is important for studying the size of the giant otter’s fish prey.

Evaluating fish diet analysis methods by individual-based modelling

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1184-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Ahlbeck ◽  
Sture Hansson ◽  
Olle Hjerne
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Fish Diet ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Better Than

Knowledge of diet compositions is important in ecological research. There are many methods available and numerous aspects of diet composition. Here we used modelling to evaluate how well different diet analysis methods describe the “true” diet of fish, expressed in mass percentages. The methods studied were both basic methods (frequency of occurrence, dominance, numeric, mass, points) and composite indices (Index of Relative Importance, Comparative Feeding Index). Analyses were based on both averaged stomach content of individual fish and on pooled content from several fish. Prey preference, prey size, and evacuation rate influenced the performance of the diet analysis methods. The basic methods performed better than composite indices. Mass and points methods produced diet compositions most similar to the true diet and were also most robust, indicating that these methods should be used to describe energetic–nutritional sources of fish.

Diet of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) around Macquarie Island, South Pacific Ocean

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. Goldsworthy ◽  
M. Lewis ◽  
R. Williams ◽  
X. He ◽  
J. W. Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Fishing Ground ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
South Pacific Ocean ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Patagonian Toothfish ◽  
Myctophid Fish ◽  
Dissostichus Eleginoides

A total of 1423 stomach samples were taken from Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides, caught by bottom trawls at two fishing grounds near Macquarie I., over three fishing seasons. Fish were caught at depths ranging from 500 to 1290 m, and ranged in size from 310 to 1490 mm total length. The 462 stomach samples (32%) that contained prey items indicated that toothfish preyed on a broad range of species including fish, cephalopods and crustaceans (58%, 32% and 10% biomass, respectively), suggesting that they are opportunistic predators. The bathypelagic fish Bathylagus sp. was the most important fish prey (14% dietary biomass); however, nototheniid, macrourid, morid and myctophid fish were also taken. The squid Gonatus antarcticus was also an important prey species (16% biomass), and many other cephalopod species were taken in low frequency. Prawnlike crustaceans (Nematocarcinidae, Mysididae, Sergestidae and Euphausiidae) were the most important crustaceans taken (9% of prey biomass). Significant inter-seasonal and inter-fishing-ground differences in diet were found, but dietary composition was not related to fishing depth, fish size (with the exception of one fishing ground in one season) or the time of day of capture. Comparison with other studies reveals biogeographical differences in the diet of toothfish.

scholarly journals Checklist and practical identification key for the cichlid fishes (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) of the La Plata drainage in Bolivia, including three new geographical records

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal I. Hablützel ◽  
Robert B. Huanto
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Cichlid Fishes ◽  
La Plata ◽  
Bolivian Amazon ◽  
Voucher Specimens ◽  
Historia Natural

AbstractIn comparison with the Bolivian Amazon, the ichthyofauna of the La Plata drainage of Bolivia received relatively little attention historically. Until now, 14 species of cichlid fish have been registered from this area. After an exhaustive review of museum collections (Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado y Colección Boliviana de Fauna), we can report three additional species: Astronotus crassipinnis (Heckel, 1840), Mesonauta festivus (Heckel, 1840) and Satanoperca pappaterra (Heckel, 1840). Four other species, which have been listed in previous publications, can be confirmed for the La Plata drainage of Bolivia based on the examination of voucher specimens: Aequidens plagiozonatus Kullander, 1984, Apistogramma commbrae (Regan, 1906), A. trifasciata (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903) and Crenicichla vittata Heckel, 1840. As such, 16 of the 17 species can be referenced with voucher specimens in museum collections. We also provide an identification key for the cichlid fish species of the study area.

scholarly journals Morphological correlates of prey consumed by Podarcis melisellensis (Braun, 1877) and P. siculus (Rafinesque, 1810) (Sauria, Lacertidae) from two mainland regions in the eastern Adriatic area

2013 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 1015-1025
Author(s):  
S.Z. Stamenkovic ◽  
Rada Matic
Keyword(s):  
Resource Availability ◽  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Variance Partitioning ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Trophic Resource

The correlation between trophic utilization and morphology was studied for two lizard species (Podarcis melisellensis and P. siculus) from two mainland localities in the eastern Adriatic area; this is the first report of trophic and morphometric data for P. melisellensis from mainland populations. Variance partitioning showed that most of the variation in morphological traits for the analyzed lizards was the result of differences between species, and to a lesser extent between sexes. Locality did not have a strong effect on the variation of morphological traits. Prey weight is the only characteristic of prey that generally exhibits correlations with morphological characteristics rather than prey size. The pattern of correlations is generally weaker for P. melisellensis than for P. siculus. Optimal foraging theory predictions were generally confirmed: P. siculus is more constrained by trophic resource availability, with a premium on larger and heavier prey consumed in the less productive locality (SM), which can be relaxed in more productive regions (KL). P. melisellensis shows such constraints only for males in the less productive region (SM). Females of both species consume heavier prey.

DNA Barcoding Revealed Mislabeling and Potential Health Concerns with Roasted Fish Products Sold across China

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 1200-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIONG XIONG ◽  
FANGYING YUAN ◽  
MANHONG HUANG ◽  
LIXIA LU ◽  
XIAOHUI XIONG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
High Price ◽  
Snack Food ◽  
Fish Fillet ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Fish Products ◽  
Republic Of China

ABSTRACTRoasted fish fillet is a popular snack food in the People's Republic of China, and the market appeal can be reflected by the high price, which exceeds 330 RMB/kg in some cases. However, the labeled fish common name generally cannot be connected with a particular species, and the processing treatments make it a challenging task to identify fish species based on morphological characteristics. This study used full DNA barcoding and mini-DNA barcoding for species identification of 202 specimens sorted from 64 roasted fish fillet products sold across China, which belonged to 32 distinct brands and claimed 16 fish common names on the label. Given the absence of a harmonization in defining these common names in China, scientific literature and the Latin-Chinese dictionary of fish names (http://fishdb.sinica.edu.tw/) were consulted to define at least the family for each common name, and an identified species outside the expected family was determined to be mislabeled. Results highlighted a high mislabeling rate of 75.5%. Even worse, fish species were identified as belonging to multiple families, not only from several products of the same brand under the same common name but also from several specimens sorted from the same product. Moreover, a health issue was highlighted by the identification of toxic Tetraodontidae species from one product. To protect the consumers from economic loss and even health risks, we recommended amendments to existing legislation and the compilation of a list of acceptable market names for fish species in China. Meanwhile, DNA barcoding is a powerful tool in fish forensics, and we recommended the use of this technique to assure the accurate species labeling of fish products.HIGHLIGHTS

scholarly journals First data on habitat preference, diet and length-weight relationship of Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016 (Pisces: Gobiidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78
Author(s):  
Francesco Tiralongo ◽  
Giuseppina Messina ◽  
Bianca Maria Lombardo
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Ionian Sea ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Weight Relationship ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Relationship Of

In this work, we present first data on biological and ecological aspects of Gobius incognitus from specimens from the Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean Sea). In particular, we provided first data on habitat preference, diet and length-weight relationship of G. incognitus on material with confirmed species identity. The species preferred “mixed bottom” (sand and rocks), where it reached relatively high abundances. The diet analysis showed that G. incognitus is a generalist and opportunistic feeder. However, small benthic crustaceans were the most important prey group. The mean total length of specimens was 6.72 ± 1.85 cm and the growth was positive allometric.

Prey selection by harbour seals, Phoca vitulina, in relation to variations in prey abundance

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1508-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic J. Tollit ◽  
Paul M. Thompson ◽  
Simon P. R. Greenstreet
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Size Selection ◽  
Harbour Seals ◽  
Moray Firth ◽  
Time Periods

This study compared the composition of the diet of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) feeding in the Moray Firth, Scotland, with the abundance of their fish prey estimated from dedicated fishery surveys in January 1992 and 1994 and June 1992. Prey-size selection was also examined in these three time periods and in January 1991. In each period, the most abundant fish species contributed most to the diet. However, the relative abundances of the remaining species in the sea showed little similarity to their contribution to the seals' diet. Diet composition was almost totally dominated by either pelagic species or species dwelling on or strongly associated with the seabed, depending upon the relative abundance of pelagic schooling prey. Most fish consumed were 10–16 cm in length, although larger cod and herring were taken. With the exception of cod, the extent of size selection was dependent upon the use of correction factors that accounted for otolith erosion due to digestion.

Shrinkage of 0+ carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) after preservation in ethanol

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Smith ◽  
Keith F. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Standard Length ◽  
Ethanol Concentration ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Initial Length ◽  
Initial Size ◽  
Carp Cyprinus Carpio

Changes in the length and weight of 240 larval and juvenile carp (standard length 10–45 mm) were monitored over 180 days after preservation in 70% and 95% ethanol. Shrinkage varied with initial (pre-preservation) size and ethanol concentration, but was stable after 1 day. Absolute shrinkage was directly proportional to initial body size, but per cent shrinkage was inversely proportional to initial size. Length shrinkage peaked at about 14% and weight shrinkage peaked at about 75%. Weight loss in 95% ethanol was almost twice that in 70% ethanol. The initial length and weight of specimens preserved in 70% or 95% ethanol may be estimated by regression equations provided here.

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