Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal)
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1
Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia, Portugal
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2
Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Portugal
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3
University of Southampton, Ocean and Earth Sciences, United Kingdom
Beach seine fishery (Arte Xávega) has a great tradition in Portugal and it is an activity with high socio-economic implications for small fishing communities. However, this fishery is characterised by the significant bycatch and discards of numerous species. In this study, we investigated the feeding habits of two dominant fish species from beach seine discards of Praia de Mira. The stomach contents of Chelidonichthys lucernus (TL = 12.7 - 18.5cm) and Trisopterus luscus (TL = 9.7 - 13.1cm), collected in September 2015, were analysed.
Decapod crustaceans (mainly Crangon crangon) constitute the main food items of C. lucernus, while T. luscus also includes a large number of amphipods in their diet. Secondary prey of both species includes other small crustaceans (e.g. Brachyura and Cumacea), teleost fish larvae and small mollusks.
Niche breadth and overlap were estimated using indexes of Levins and Pianka, respectively, showing a high level of specialization but also some degree of diet overlap between these two species; the occurrence of items in a reduced state of digestion suggests that C. lucernus is an opportunistic feeder.
All the analysed specimens are juveniles and no empty stomachs were found, revealing the importance off shallow waters off Praia de Mira as feeding areas.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due, for the financial support to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017), to FCT/MEC through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. R.P. Vieira is supported by a doctoral grant from the Portuguese Science Foundation (SFRH/BD/84030/2012).
Keywords:
Discards,
Beach seine,
trophic ecology,
Fishes,
feeding habits
Conference:
IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2016, Peniche, Portugal, 14 Jul - 15 Jul, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster presentation
Topic:
Fisheries and Management
Citation:
Seabra
P,
Louro
I,
Neves
P,
Vieira
RP and
Cunha
MR
(2016). Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal).
Front. Mar. Sci.
Conference Abstract:
IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2016.
doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.04.00021
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Received:
02 Jun 2016;
Published Online:
13 Jul 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Mr. Pedro Seabra, Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia, Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, ppedro@ua.pt
Dr. Marina R Cunha, Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, marina.cunha@ua.pt