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Copyright of South China Fisheries Science is the property of South China Fisheries Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Iheringia. Série Zoologia is the property of Fundacao Zoobotanica do Rio Grande do Sul and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on data from 1997–2019, morphology, growth, feeding, reproduction and early development of Arctic charr from Lake Tokko (Olekma basin, northern Transbaikalia) were studied. Three charr forms, large, small and dwarf differing in growth rate were recorded in the lake. During the last years, the large form disappeared, the small form became rare and the dwarf form became highly abundant; the proportion of old small and dwarf charr sharply decreased. The dwarf form differs in morphology from the small and large forms, which are morphologically similar. In the summer period of 1997–2001, the large form fed on fish, the small form fed mainly on amphibious insects (chironomid pupae), and the dwarf form fed on amphibious insects and benthos. Presently the small form transited to piscivorous and the dwarf form to predominantly planktivorous feeding. The dwarf form spawns from late July to mid-August at stony sites of underwater shore slope when water temperature is 5.0–6.5°С; laid eggs develop till late November–early December at water temperature decreasing to 3.0–3.5°С. According to data needing verification, the small form spawns in late autumn, but some individuals spawn in summer at the same time as the dwarf form. The results suggest substantial, though incomplete reproductive isolation between the dwarf and the small forms. It is supposed that nowadays the degree of their introgressive hybridization has increased following anthropogenic changes in population structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects have evolved unique structures that host a diversity of material and mechanical properties, and the mouthparts (proboscis) of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are no exception. Here, we examined proboscis morphology and material properties from several previously unstudied moth lineages to determine if they relate to flower visiting and non-flower visiting feeding habits. Scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional imaging were used to study proboscis morphology and assess surface roughness patterns on the galeal surface, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to study patterns of cuticular autofluorescence, which was quantified with colour analysis software. We found that moth proboscises display similar autofluorescent signals and morphological patterns in relation to feeding habits to those previously described for flower and non-flower visiting butterflies. The distal region of proboscises of non-flower visitors is brush-like for augmented capillarity and exhibited blue autofluorescence, indicating the possible presence of resilin and increased flexibility. Flower visitors have smoother proboscises and show red autofluorescence, an indicator of high sclerotization, which is adaptive for floral tube entry. We propose the lepidopteran proboscis as a model structure for understanding how insects have evolved a suite of morphological and material adaptations to overcome the challenges of acquiring fluids from diverse sources., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Herein, we provide information on diet, sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus rhombifer from the southernmost Brazilian coast, Pampa Biome, a region under influence of subtropical climatic domains. The analysis of 142 specimens revealed a marked sexual dimorphism, with significant differences for all the characters analyzed. The diet of the species is composed by small rodents and squamate reptiles, the latter consisting mainly of lizard tails, probably autotomized. Males reached sexual maturity at smaller sizes (SVL) than females (354 mm vs 451 mm, respectively). Secondary follicles were found mainly in spring months and one single female presented 3 oviductal eggs in January (summer). Our results add to the knowledge on biology of snakes in the Pampa morphoclimatic domain.

ABSTRACT This study explores the differences of appearance and the digestive systems of two birds (Lonchura striata and Copsychus saularis), which have the same eating pattern in staple ingredients. Each bird was caught naturally and euthanized in appropriate manner, followed by morphology survey on bill, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and appearance of the body parts such as Culmen, Claw, Wing, Tarsus, Toe and Tail. The results showed that the appearance feature between them presented significant differences in the beak length, wing length and tail length, which were correlated to their staple feeding habits. In addition, in the digestive system, the length of duodenum and duodenal indexes showed significant differences (p

Abstract Non‐traditional stable isotopes of metals were recently shown as new dietary tracers in terrestrial and marine mammals. Whether these metal stable isotopes can be used to understand feeding habits in stream food webs is not known yet. In this study, we explored the potential of stable isotopes of essential Mg (δ26Mg) and Zn (δ66Zn) as a new tool in stream ecology. For this purpose, we determined δ26Mg and δ66Zn values of stream organisms and their potential metal sources in upper and lower reaches of two streams in the Lake Biwa catchment, Central Japan. Our goals were (1) to explore variations in δ26Mg and δ66Zn across organisms of different feeding habits and (2) to understand Mg and Zn sources to stream organisms. Overall, δ26Mg and δ66Zn values of organisms were neither related to each other, nor to δ13C and δ15N values, indicating different elemental sources and factors controlling isotopic fractionation depending on element and taxa. Low δ26Mg values in filter‐feeding caddisfly larvae and small gobies indicated aqueous Mg uptake. Higher δ26Mg values in leaf‐shredding crane fly and grazing mayfly larvae suggested Mg isotopic fractionation during Mg uptake from the diet. While the δ26Mg values of stonefly nymphs reflected those of caddisfly larvae as a potential prey, the highest δ26Mg values found in dobsonfly nymphs can be explained by 26Mg enrichment during maturing. δ66Zn values of caddisfly and mayfly larvae indicated Zn was a mixture of aqueous and dietary available Zn, while higher δ66Zn values in crane fly larvae pointed to Zn isotopic fractionation during Zn uptake from plant litter. δ66Zn values in stonefly and dobsonfly nymphs were often in the range of those of caddisfly larvae as their prey, while dragonfly nymphs and small goby were depleted in 66Zn relative to their dietary Zn sources. We conclude that δ26Mg is a promising indicator to assess Mg sources in stream ecology depending on taxa, while the use of δ66Zn is limited due to the complexity in Zn sources.

The feeding and spawning grounds for seahorses have been lost due to nationwide coastal developments in South Korea. However, little information on the feeding ecology of the Korean seahorse (Hippocampus haema) is currently available. The main objective in this study was to understand the feeding strategy of H. haema on the basis of DNA analysis of the contents of the guts. This is the first study on the feeding ecology of H. haema. Crustaceans were found to be major prey for H. haema in this study. Among the 12 identified species, arthropods were predominantly observed as potential prey of H. haema in this study. The Caprella sp. Was detected in all summer specimens followed by the Ianiropsis sp., whereas isopods were dominant, and amphipods accounted for a small proportion in winter specimens. According to the results in this study, there appears to be a seasonal shift in the major prey of H. haema. Moreover, a potential change in the habitats for adults was further discussed. Since this is a pilot study, further studies should be conducted for a better understanding of the feeding ecology of H. haema.

Prestomal teeth are cuticular projections on the mouthparts of some fly species that rasp surfaces when feeding. Although prestomal teeth morphology has been reported for several fly species, their material properties have not been investigated. Here we report the morphology, elemental composition, extent of sclerotization, hardness, and elastic modulus of prestomal teeth and relate these findings to feeding habits. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that species categorized as flower visitors have a large labellum with numerous pseudotracheae and lack prestomal teeth, generalist species have these same features but with prestomal teeth, and specialist species that feed on blood or other insects have a smaller labellum with few or no pseudotracheae and relatively large prestomal teeth. Confocal microscopy revealed that prestomal teeth are heavily sclerotized and the labellum contains resilin, an elastomeric protein. Hardness and elastic modulus were explored with nanoindentation and showed that the insectivorous Scathophaga stercoraria had the hardest prestomal teeth and the highest modulus. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy revealed that prestomal teeth had low concentrations of inorganic elements, suggesting that hardness might be partially supplemented by inorganic elements. Our findings indicate that prestomal teeth morphology and material properties relate more to feeding habits than to phylogeny.

Megalobrama, a genus of cyprinid fish, is an economically important freshwater fish widely distributed in major waters of China. Here, we report the genome resequencing of 180 Megalobrama fish including M. amblycephala, M. skolkovii, M. hoffmanni, and M. pellegrini. Population structure indicated that geographically divergent Megalobrama populations were separated into six subgroups. A phylogenetic tree showed that M. skolkovii was more closely related to M. pellegrini than other species and M. hoffmanni was clustered apart from other Megalobrama species, showing a high nucleotide diversity in geographic groups. Treemix validated gene flow from M. amblycephala to M. skolkovii, suggesting that introgression may provide an important source of genetic variation in the M. skolkovii populations. According to the demographic history analysis, it is speculated that Megalobrama might have been originally distributed in the Pearl River with some spread to Hainan Island and northern China due to lower sea levels during the glacial period. Whole-genome selective sweeps analysis demonstrated that M. amblycephala likely developed an enhanced energy metabolism mostly through fatty acid degradation pathways whereas M. hoffmanni possibly regulate lipid absorption via the cholesterol metabolism pathway. Taken together, this study provides a valuable genomic resource for future genetic investigations aiming to improve genome-assisted breeding of Megalobrama species.

El objetivo del trabajo es caracterizar los hábitos alimentarios de un grupo de dieciséis pescadores ocasionales del municipio Yaguajay, en la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. La mayoría tiene otra ocupación además de la pesca y la mitad practica con frecuencia la agricultura. En su patrón alimentario se produce una mezcla de elementos tradicionales de la comida rural cubana, como el alto consumo de arroz, frijoles y viandas, combinado con elevado consumo de pescado, que no es usual en los campesinos. ABSTRACT The goal of the paper is to characterize eating habits of occasional fishermen residing within the municipality of Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. The fishermen have other occupations besides fishing, with half of the sample practicing agriculture. Their diet shows a mix of traditional elements of Cuban rural food, such as high consumption of rice, beans and viandas (denomination that is applied in Cuba to the tubers, the starchy roots and to fruits as banana and pumpkin) combined with high levels of fish consumption, a fact that it’s very unusual among farmers.

Herein, we provide information on diet, sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus rhombifer from the southernmost Brazilian coast, Pampa Biome, a region under influence of subtropical climatic domains. The analysis of 142 specimens revealed a marked sexual dimorphism, with significant differences for all the characters analyzed. The diet of the species is composed by small rodents and squamate reptiles, the latter consisting mainly of lizard tails, probably autotomized. Males reached sexual maturity at smaller sizes (SVL) than females (354 mm vs 451 mm, respectively). Secondary follicles were found mainly in spring months and one single female presented 3 oviductal eggs in January (summer). Our results add to the knowledge on biology of snakes in the Pampa morphoclimatic domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maintain a stable population, an introduced species must be capable of exploiting varied resources and adapting to environmental conditions different from its native range. The brown anole (Anolis sagrei), one of the most prolific invasive species worldwide, is well established in Ecuador—especially in urban environments throughout Guayaquil and Samborondón (Guayas province). In this research, we describe the feeding habits of male and female brown anoles collected from six different sites: a regenerated wetland ecosystem and five city gardens. We dissected stomach contents in order to record the number and type of prey items, each classified to the lowest identifiable taxonomic category. Our results show that A. sagrei consumes a variety of prey items; Hymenoptera (mainly ants) represented the highest percentage of total gut contents from all sites. In addition, we found that A. sagrei also feeds on insects belonging to the families Cicadidae, Miridae, Scarabeidae, Chrysomelidae and Nitidulidae, all of which are considered to be agricultural pests. As such, we predict that A. sagrei could be an ideal model for biological control studies in urban environments throughout Guayas and perhaps beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, is a semiaquatic mustelid that preys upon fish, amphibians, and crustaceans, in variable proportions according to habitat and/or season. Due to the difficulty of observing this species in the wild, information on its ecology is typically obtained through vestiges, such as feces, which usually do not provide data at the individual level. Thus, this study aimed to assess temporal and individual variation in the diet of the Neotropical otter through chronologically ordered carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes data, as a proxy for dietary variation. For this purpose, isotopic values of 127 fragments of vibrissae collected from 21 individuals found dead along three coastal regions of southern Brazil were analyzed. Values ranged between − 24.0 and − 12.9‰ for δ13C and from 10.6 to 18.4‰ for δ15N. Vibrissae isotopic longitudinal data were variable, indicating individual changes in the proportion of food items consumed and in foraging sites that spanned from freshwater to marine environments. Most of the populational variation in isotopic composition resulted from differences between individuals. The results of this study revealed temporal and individual variation in resource and habitat use by the Neotropical otter in three coastal ecosystems, and suggest that a high individual foraging specialization may occur in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study represents the feeding habits of the native (Mullus barbatus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758, Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 and Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus, 1758)) and non-native (Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986, Upeneus moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855) and Upeneus pori Ben-Tuvia & Golani, 1989) fish species collected off the Turkish Aegean coast throughout the seasonally between January to December 2017. It was determined that all species consume benthic organisms by examining a total of 672 stomach contents. The index of relative importance (IRI) revealed the most important food item according to species is: Crustacea for N. randalli (82.40%), P. erythrinus (44.15%), M. surmuletus (75.35%), U. moluccensis (98.48%) and U. pori (56.79%; Polychaeta for M. barbatus barbatus (56.84%). A total of 40 prey species were identified from stomach contents of native and non-native fishes via the molecular method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits and prey selection of Gymnocypris firmispinatus in the Anning River were investigated with respect to fish size, season and sex. Gut contents of 305 individuals ranging in size from 57 to 193 mm total length were analyzed, and 16.0% of the guts were found to be empty. The vacuity index indicated that the feeding intensity of the fish roughly followed a seasonal trend, with minimum food intake in winter. However, statistically insignificant variation in the vacuity index was observed between size classes and sexes. Overall, 46 prey taxa belonging to five orders (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera) were identified in the guts of 141 fish. G. firmispinatus fed almost exclusively on aquatic insects, of which Baetis sp. and Simulium sp. were the predominant prey species, followed by Diamesa sp. and Glossosoma sp. G. firmispinatus is a generalist feeder that relies upon a wide trophic spectrum. The multivariate analysis revealed that fish size was the principal factor affecting diet. Small individuals fed primarily on small ephemeropteran larvae and dipteran larvae, whereas larger individuals preferably consumed bigger trichopteran larvae. In terms of its prey, G. firmispinatus showed strong positive selection for dipteran larvae and trichopteran larvae, and negative selection for ephemeropteran larvae, plecopteran larvae and coleopteran larvae in all seasons. This study provides evidence that the observed diet of G. firmispinatus can be explained by prey selection rather than random feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the diet of Macrobrachium macrobrachion (Herklots, 1851) in its natural environment is a key factor facilitating its successful breeding. We have analysed the stomach content of 452 specimens collected from the Ouémé River Delta (ORD) (338 stomachs) and from the Mono River/Grand-Popo Lagoon complex (MGLC) (114 stomachs), from February to October 2016. The analysis enables to calculate the coefficient of vacuity for the ORD (3.50%) and for the MGLC (3.50%). The results show that M. macrobrachion has a detritivore-omnivore type of diet, feeding mainly on phytoplankton (diatoms and cyanophytes) and detritus. However, the diet of the young shrimps, composed mostly of insect larvae, differs from that of adult. In the adult M. macrobrachion , the pace of feeding activities is greatest in the morning (6.00 to 9.00 am), low in middle of the day (10.00 am to 13.00 pm), and there is a slight trophic activity between 17.00 and 22.00 pm. Outside of the above periods, i.e., from 14.00 to 16.00 pm and 23.00 pm to 5.00 am, the species is at rest. Juveniles feed at dawn. In the nighttime and at dusk, groups of shrimps of varying sizes do feed. The findings of this study suggest that live prey is the best feed for the larvae of M. macrobrachion in captivity and should be distributed preferably early in the morning. Résumé: La connaissance du régime alimentaire de Macrobrachium macrobrachion (Herklots, 1851) dans son environnement naturel est un facteur clé pour la réussite de son élevage. Nous avons analysé le contenu stomacal de 452 spécimens prélevés dans le delta du fleuve Ouémé (ORD) (338 estomacs) et dans le complexe du fleuve Mono/Lagune de Grand-Popo (MGLC) (114 estomacs), de février à octobre 2016. L'analyse de ces estomacs a permis de calculer le coefficient de vacuité pour l'ORD (3,50%) et pour le MGLC (3,50%). Les résultats montrent que M. macrobrachion a un régime alimentaire de type détritivore-omnivore, se nourrissant principalement de phytoplancton (diatomées et cyanophytes) et de détritus. Cependant, le régime alimentaire des jeunes crevettes, composé principalement de larves d'insectes, diffère de celui des adultes. Chez les adultes de M. macrobrachion , le rythme des activités d'alimentation est plus élevé le matin (6 h à 9 h), faible en milieu de journée (10 h à 13 h), et il y a une légère activité trophique entre 17 h et 22 heures. En dehors des périodes ci-dessus, c'est-à-dire de 14 h à 16 h et de 23 h à 5 h, l'espèce est au repos. Les juvéniles se nourrissent à l'aube. Pendant la nuit et au crépuscule, des groupes de crevettes de différentes tailles se nourrissent. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que les proies vivantes sont le meilleur aliment pour les larves de M. macrobrachion en captivité et devraient être distribuées de préférence tôt le matin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of skate ecology must be improved to ensure their effective protection. This study represents the first description of diet composition for one of the largest European rajid, the blue skate Dipturus cf. flossada. A total of 346 specimens collected in the Celtic Sea from 2012 to 2015 were analysed for their gut content, with respect to individual total length, maturity stage and sex. Overall, the blue skate diet mainly consisted of shrimps and prawns, crabs and teleost fishes. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and ANOSIM analyses revealed major ontogenetic shifts in the feeding strategy that were related to size and maturity, but not to sex. Shrimps and prawns, mostly composed of Crangon allmanni, dominated the diet of small and immature individuals, while mod‐size skate primarily preyed on crabs. The prevalence of crustaceans decreased with size and maturity, and was gradually replaced by teleost fishes in large mature individuals. A concomitant increase of the trophic level with size revealed that large blue skate become a top predator within the ecosystem. These results highlight the need to include ontogenetic changes in the diet description. As individuals grow and mature, blue skates can play a fundamental role in the structure of the Celtic Sea food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azaras's capuchin monkey (Sapajus cay) is a poorly studied species in ecological aspects. We investigated behavioral activities and diet of a group of S. cay in a remnant of the Brazilian Cerrado. We sought to identify the most frequent behavior that the group engaged in, as well as to verify possible differences in behavioral patterns and diet between adult males and females. From January to July 2012 we collected behavioral and foraging data for a group of 21 individuals using scan sampling. Behaviors and food items consumed were analyzed using percentages and two proportions Z-tests to assess differences between males and females. We obtained 878 scans in approximately 202 hours of sampling effort, resulting in 4,159 individual activity records of capuchin monkeys. The group allocated time to traveling (41.3%), resting (25.5%), feeding (14.3%), foraging (13.7%), and social activities (5.1%). Females spent more time foraging and feeding, while males spent more time resting. Fruits (61.4%), invertebrates (15.3%), and seeds (14.3%) were the most common food items consumed. We did not find differences in food consumption between sexes. Behavioral activities may be influenced by habitat quality of the studied area, opportunistic habits, and plasticity in the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐traditional stable isotopes of metals were recently shown as new dietary tracers in terrestrial and marine mammals. Whether these metal stable isotopes can be used to understand feeding habits in stream food webs is not known yet. In this study, we explored the potential of stable isotopes of essential Mg (δ26Mg) and Zn (δ66Zn) as a new tool in stream ecology. For this purpose, we determined δ26Mg and δ66Zn values of stream organisms and their potential metal sources in upper and lower reaches of two streams in the Lake Biwa catchment, Central Japan. Our goals were (1) to explore variations in δ26Mg and δ66Zn across organisms of different feeding habits and (2) to understand Mg and Zn sources to stream organisms. Overall, δ26Mg and δ66Zn values of organisms were neither related to each other, nor to δ13C and δ15N values, indicating different elemental sources and factors controlling isotopic fractionation depending on element and taxa. Low δ26Mg values in filter‐feeding caddisfly larvae and small gobies indicated aqueous Mg uptake. Higher δ26Mg values in leaf‐shredding crane fly and grazing mayfly larvae suggested Mg isotopic fractionation during Mg uptake from the diet. While the δ26Mg values of stonefly nymphs reflected those of caddisfly larvae as a potential prey, the highest δ26Mg values found in dobsonfly nymphs can be explained by 26Mg enrichment during maturing. δ66Zn values of caddisfly and mayfly larvae indicated Zn was a mixture of aqueous and dietary available Zn, while higher δ66Zn values in crane fly larvae pointed to Zn isotopic fractionation during Zn uptake from plant litter. δ66Zn values in stonefly and dobsonfly nymphs were often in the range of those of caddisfly larvae as their prey, while dragonfly nymphs and small goby were depleted in 66Zn relative to their dietary Zn sources. We conclude that δ26Mg is a promising indicator to assess Mg sources in stream ecology depending on taxa, while the use of δ66Zn is limited due to the complexity in Zn sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data collected from 2000 to 2010 on a predator–prey system in eastern Tuscany (central Italy) were used to investigate the relative impact of human harvest and natural predation by wolves (Canis lupus) on the local populations of their main prey: wild boar (Sus scrofa) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). We estimated the percent composition of wolf diet from scat analysis (n = 2,150) and converted it into ingested biomass and number of killed individuals by quantifying the energy requirement of the resident wolf pack based on the field metabolic rate formula. Moreover, we collected data on hunting bags, and investigating the age/weight class preferences of both wolves and hunters compared their impacts on the two ungulate populations. In both prey species, losses due to hunting resulted to be eight to nine times higher than those due to wolf predation. In terms of number of individuals removed per year, the wild boar was the main prey species for wolves (mean ± SD: 83 ± 23) and the most harvested by hunters (mean ± SD: 609 ± 241). Wolves targeted the intermediate weight class (10–35 kg) in wild boar and showed no preference for a specific class of roe deer, while hunters targeted the largest classes in both species. The combined removal by hunters and wolf predation did not exceed the recruitment of both ungulate populations. We can therefore argue that a top‐down force is unlikely to contrast the population growth of the two ungulate species in Central Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding experiments with a natural microplankton assemblage and egg production experiments with the neritic copepod Acartia steueri were conducted simultaneously in an inlet on the Sanriku coast during autumn. Diapausing egg production status of A. steueri was also investigated. Further, A. steueri dominated during September to October and then gradually decreased until December, before disappearing after January. The dominant microplankton in natural waters during the study period were dinoflagellates, followed by centric and pennate diatoms and oligotrich ciliates. A. steueri fed only on dinoflagellates and oligotrich ciliates at rates of 87.0-309 and 17.7-71.5 cells ind-1 d-1, respectively. Egg production rate of A. steueri ranged from 1.6 to 15.0 eggs female-1 d-1 and significantly increased as ingestion rates of dinoflagellates and oligotrich ciliates increased. The copepod began producing diapausing eggs in October, and by late December, 86% of the eggs produced were diapausing. The population's egg production rate was highest in September (18,961 eggs m-3 d-1) and gradually decreased through the end of December. These dietary and diapausing egg production seasons of A. steueri in the Sanriku area are significantly different from the results of previous studies in the temperate zone, where the copepod mainly fed on diatoms and produced diapausing eggs during spring. A. steueri can alter its feeding habits and the timing of diapausing egg production in response to changes in habitat. The flexibility of this species to environmental change has likely allowed expansion of its geographical distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional knowledge gained through daily interactions with the environment can yield insights into processes at temporal or spatial scales that may be overlooked by conventional scientific research. Ninety interviews were conducted with riverine people in the vicinity of Anavilhanas National Park, Tapajós–Arapiuns Extractive Reserve and Tapajós National Forest in the Brazilian Amazon, with the aim to increase knowledge of the feeding habits of the Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis and evaluate its conservation status in contrasting protected areas. In Anavilhanas respondents identified 31 plant species consumed by the manatee, of which vines had the highest cognitive salience index value (the summed importance of each plant species), even though they are available to manatees only during the high-water season. In the Tapajós region 37 plant species were identified, with submerged species with floating leaves being the main component of the manatee's diet. Although hunting has declined it still occurs in Anavilhanas, which is susceptible to environmental crimes because of its proximity to urban centres. Manatee hunting seems to be infrequent in the Tapajós region, having little impact on the population. Given the broad knowledge within the local community about the Amazonian manatee, involvement of riverine people in manatee conservation activities is fundamental for reducing threats and increasing conservation effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anadolu (1300-0225) is the property of Anadolu Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High-throughput sequencing analysis of gut contents was used to study the feeding habits of two filter-feeding fish, namely silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis , in mesotrophic Lake Qiandao and eutrophic Lake Taihu. Silver carp feed primarily on phytoplankton, with a feeding preference for Chlorophyta, in Lake Qiandao and rely on phytoplankton in Lake Taihu. Bighead carp feed more on zooplankton in Lake Qiandao and on phytoplankton in Lake Taihu. With increasing levels of algae, bighead carp feed more on phytoplankton. The dietary shifts suggest that bighead carp would be useful in controlling nuisance algae in lakes. The diet composition of silver carp and bighead carp in two lakes with varying productivity was investigated by high-throughput sequencing analysis. Silver carp feed primarily on phytoplankton and exhibit feeding selectivity. Bighead carp feed primarily on zooplankton, but exhibit a dietary shift to phytoplankton with increasing levels of algae. Gaining knowledge of the feeding habits of planktivorous fish can provide insights into the management of water eutrophication problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report new dietary data about the South American dipsadine snake Philodryas nattereri in the Caatinga ecoregion of northeastern Brazil. Our observations in the wild include predation on a large-sized lizard, an adult bird, venomous toads, a snake, bird chicks inside nests, and a mammal. Besides that, we compared the diet composition of P. nattereri between the Caatinga and the Cerrado ecoregions of Brazil, by pooling our original data with all available literature records. We found a significant difference in the diet of P. nattereri between these two regions: lizards comprise the predominant prey category for P. nattereri in the Caatinga, whereas mammals stand out as the most reported prey in the Cerrado. Our results evidence generalist and opportunistic feeding habits of P. nattereri, one of the most common snake species in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary studies of insectivorous bats are critical for a comprehensive analysis of their ecological role in pest control. Several factors including seasonality, reproductive status and sex may influence dietary specialization. However, data on insectivorous bat diet are scarce, especially in Mormoopidae family. Here, we analyzed the dietary variation of Mormoops megalophylla (Peters, 1864) between sexes, reproductive states and climatic seasons in Macaregua cave, located in Northeastern Andes of Colombia. We collected fecal samples and vaginal smears from 377 individuals. We assess differences between sexes in the frequency of insect consumption and we estimate dietary breadth in reproductive and non-reproductive bats. Moormops megalophylla has a highly specialized diet, selecting primarily for Lepidoptera insects. There were no differences between sexes, but wider dietary breadth was found in reproductive bats in comparison to non-reproductive bats. Probably, the specialization on Lepidoptera insects is explained by the high amounts of caloric energy that these insects can offer. It was remarkable the upward trend in Lepidoptera consumption from reproductive bats during the wet season, when moths are available. By contrast, non-reproductive bats increased Lepidoptera consumption in the dry season, possibly to prepare for the next reproductive events. The analysis of diet over time suggests variations between climatic seasons and reproductive states; that is, when bats are reproductively active, they increase the amount of Lepidoptera consumption in the wet season to supply their energy requirements during reproduction. These results provide key information about the ecology of M. megalophylla in the northern part of its South American distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nestling discrimination and feeding habits during brooding are important factors affecting host selection of parasitic birds. Some host birds can avoid being parasitized by discriminating their nestlings or feeding food not suitable for parasitic nestlings. Thrushes are common medium-sized birds with widespread distribution and an open nesting habit, but they are rarely parasitized. It remains controversial whether this is due to feeding habits and/or nestling discrimination. Methods: In this study, we tested the nestling discrimination ability and feeding habits of Chestnut Thrushes (Turdus rubrocanus) which is distributed in China's multi-cuckoo parasitism system. Their nestling discriminability and feeding habits during brooding were studied by cross-fostering experiments and video recording to examine evolutionary restrictions on nestling discrimination and whether feeding habits are consistent with the growth of cuckoo nestlings. Results: Our results indicate that Chestnut Thrushes using earthworms as the main brooding food can feed and maintain cuckoo nestlings and show no nestling discrimination. Conclusions: The present study confirms that feeding habits cannot be regarded as the main factor affecting Chestnut Thrushes being rarely parasitized by cuckoos but suggests that egg rejection is likely to limit the evolution of nestling discrimination in thrushes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the world's most endangered mammals and remains threatened as a result of intense environmental and anthropogenic pressure. The transformation and specialization of the giant panda's diet into a herbivorous diet have resulted in unique adaptabilities in many aspects of their biology, physiology and behavior. However, little is known about their adaptability at the molecular level. Through comparative analysis of the giant panda's genome with those of nine other mammalian species, we found some genetic characteristics of the giant panda that can be associated with adaptive changes for effective digestion of plant material. We also found that giant pandas have similar genetic characteristics to carnivores in terms of olfactory perception but have similar genetic characteristics to herbivores in terms of immunity and hydrolytic enzyme activity. Through the analysis of gene family expansion, 3752 gene families were found, which were enriched in functions such as digestion. A total of 93 genes under positive selection were screened out and gene enrichment identified these genes for the following processes: negative regulation of cellular metabolic process, negative regulation of nitrogen compound metabolic process, negative regulation of macromolecule metabolic process and negative regulation of metabolic process. Combined with the KEGG pathway, it was found that genes such as CREB3L1, CYP450 2S1, HSD11B2, LRPAP1 play a key role in digestion. These genes may have played a key role in the pandas' adaptation to its bamboo diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet analysis allows exploring how coastal dolphins interact with the environment and their role in the marine food webs. We studied the diet and feeding ecology of the Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, through analysis of stomach content from 42 animals stranded on the eastern coast of Brazil. A total of 1,336 semidigested prey items (fish, otoliths, cephalopod beaks, and crustaceans) were identified. Teleost fish comprised the most frequent food item (92% of the total), followed by cephalopods, and crustaceans. Prey belonged to 34 taxa and richness in individual stomachs varied from 1 to 15 prey taxa. Prey were generally small, but showed a significant trend to increase in size with dolphin length. The main prey of Guiana dolphins were demersal, estuarine, and sound‐making fish such as catfish and sciaenids. No sex‐related differences in diet were found. Diet composition varied seasonally and occurrence of prey items was coherent with breeding or high abundance periods of some fish species and squids. Our study shows the importance of demersal prey from estuarine and soft‐sediment habitats to Guiana dolphin in the Abrolhos Bank and reveals that feeding habits are generalist and opportunistic, with diet reflecting the seasonal abundance and availability of prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crabs live at high densities in intertidal zones with various halophytes in salt marshes. However, the ecological relationships between crabs and halophytes as well as the impacts of herbivorous crabs on the plant distribution are not fully understood. In this study, we identified halophytic plant species consumed by crabs and determined the relative contributions of halophytes and other food sources to the diet. A DNA analysis of stomach contents was used to determine plant food sources for crabs. We found that the dominant crab species Helice tientsinensis consumed Suaeda japonica, even though several halophytes inhabited the study site. These results indicated that H. tientsinensis is a selective feeder. Based on a stable isotope analysis, we observed a dietary shift during crab development. Immature individuals mainly ate soil organic matter, whereas mature individuals showed more diverse food sources. We observed greater plant (S. japonica) consumption by middle-sized crabs than by crabs of other sizes. Our results for the feeding relationship between crabs and plants extend our understanding of the benthic food web in salt marshes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most fish undergo prey switch from juvenile to adult. It is thought that slightly different feeding habits occur among adult fishes due to growth, spawning, habitat change, and so on. Therefore, the diet of the John Dory Zeus faber (≥ 24 cm TL) was studied in the coastal waters of Korea by analysis of stomach contents, with comparison by season and size class of diet composition and prey diversity. Monthly samples were taken from February 2017 to January 2018. Results: The results showed that the John Dory was a piscivorous predator, and pisces had occupied 82.3% of IRI%. Trichiurus lepturus and Trachurus japonicus were important preys in all size classes and seasons. Diet composition differed among the size classes and seasons (Chi-square test, P < 0.05). As body size of Z. faber increased, the occurrence of benthic fish (Glyptocephalus stelleri) tended to increase. The seasonal prey composition also changed depending on the abundant species of each season. Conclusions: Z. faber is a piscivorous predator. The consumption habits of Z. faber appear to different results by their size and seasons. This study suggests that Z. faber could be considered an opportunistic predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is focused on the diet of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata L., 1758 in South-Eastern Tunisia. Feeding habits of this species were assessed through faecal analysis in both cold and warm months: 105 samples of faecal pellets of porcupine were collected during two seasons. We found that wild species dominated the diet of this large rodent in both seasons, represented by 15 species. The most frequently recorded species in both seasons were Stipa lagascae (20.54%), Hedysarum carnosum (10.26%) and Hordeum marinum (9.69%). In summer, the diet included also potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and figs (Ficus carica), of which barley was the most common species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To clarify the feeding habits of Osprey Pandion haliaetus in coastal areas of Iwate Prefecture, we set a camera in two nests during the breeding season of 2018 and analyzed the prey items recorded. We identified fishes to family or order levels, measured their total length, and estimated their weights based on values reported in the literature. In the two nests, Beloniformes was the most frequently observed order, and Scombridae, Cyprinidae, Carangidae, and Mugilidae were also delivered frequently to the chicks. The families of fishes that had the highest estimated weights were Scombridae and Mugilidae, suggesting that they are important food resources for chick growth. Many of these fishes live at the sea surface, in shallow water, or in mild currents, which corresponded to the known hunting behavior of Osprey, which hunt fish swimming near the water surface. The Osprey in this study fed on seasonally available saltwater fish, with the exception of Carp families. Of Carp, Tribolodon and Carassius, which inhabit the freshwater and marine coastal areas, respectively, were major prey items delivered to osprey nestlings. The estimated weight per feeding was significantly larger in both pairs during the late rearing period. Based on the habitat characteristics of the fish that Ospreys delivered to the nest, the bays and estuaries were the main fishing areas. At present, there is a concern about the deterioration of the fishing habitat for Ospreys, due to the reconstruction project after the major Tohoku Earthquake in 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits of generalist predators often vary among populations and regions. For example, Coyote (Canis latrans), which is a generalist predator distributed across North America, occupies a wide range of habitats and has a highly varied diet. In this observational study, we quantified the presence of mammalian prey items in 50 Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans var.) scats collected in late spring and summer in a private game reserve in southwestern Quebec. Nearly all scats contained hair of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus; 44%), Moose (Alces americanus; 38%), or American Beaver (Castor canadensis; 38%). Although all three species are known to be consumed by coyotes, such a high proportion of Moose and White-tailed Deer simultaneously occurring in the diet of coyotes has not been previously reported. The uniqueness of the study area, with its relatively high abundance of all three prey species, may account for the uniqueness of the diet of Eastern Coyotes living there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Acta Médica Peruana is the property of Colegio Medico del Peru and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• The δ13C and δ15N values of fish communities were different between nearshore and offshore islands. • The food chain length of fish communities in nearshore islands was longer than that in offshore islands. • Fish communities located on nearshore islands had more abundant food sources, more diverse trophic levels, and higher trophic diversity than offshore fish communities. • The fisheries of the Wanshan Islands mainly feed on zooplankton, and may gradually transition to detritus feeding species. The Wanshan Archipelago, situated in the Pearl River Estuary, stood as a key fishing ground in China, boasting abundant fishery resources. To investigate variations in trophic niches and food sources among different islands within the Wanshan Archipelago, and to advance research on fish food webs and energy flow in the Pearl River Estuary, this study conducted a survey of fish communities in nearshore islands (Guishan Island, Dongao Island) and offshore islands (Wailingding Island, Wanshan Island) using triple gill nets during the autumn of 2021. The trophic niche characteristics of fishery organisms in these islands were analyzed utilizing carbon and nitrogen stable isotope technology. The results indicated that trophic niche width and biodiversity of fish communities in the nearshore islands surpassed those in the offshore islands, and the food chain length exhibited a trend of Guishan Island (4.04) > Dongao Island (3.98) > Wanshan Island (3.91) > Wailingding Island (3.86). The trophic niche indexes (CR, NR, CD, and SEAc) of fish communities in nearshore islands were higher compared to those on offshore islands, while MNND and SDNND suggested that fish communities in offshore islands were at a lower trophic level. Zooplankton emerged as the primary food source for fishery organisms in the Wanshan Archipelago. Feeding rates on zooplankton were 68.8 % and 70.4 % in Guishan Island and Dongao Island, and 53.7 % and 58.0 % in Wailingding Island and Wanshan Island, respectively. The proportion of benthic organisms fed near offshore islands was higher than nearshore islands. This study speculated that the fish in nearshore islands may shift from zooplankton food chain to benthic food chain. In addition, this study compared the trophic niche differences among the four islands in the Pearl River Estuary, clarified the diversity of feeding sources and trophic structure within fish communities, and revealed significant distinctions in fish food webs between the islands inside and outside the Pearl River Estuary. It will provide new information on the trophic interactions of fish in the Pearl River Estuary, and help to promote the ecological development and sustainable use of fishery resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]