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The Rosy Litter Frog (Leptobrachella eos) is known from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Knowledge about the natural history of this species is virtually lacking. As a result of our field work in Son La, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces of Vietnam, we provide data on the food composition of L. eos for the first time. Using the stomach-flushing method, we analyzed stomach contents of 34 individuals (23 males and 11 females) from a total of 42 frogs, with stomachs of five males and three females (19%) being empty. A total of 13 prey categories were observed in the stomachs of L. eos , with 232 items, comprising 230 items of invertebrates and two unidentified items. The most important (IRI) groups among the prey of L. eos were Blattodea (26.31%), Araneae (17.26%), Orthoptera (13.21%), Coleoptera (12.39%), and Opiliones (10.09%). There was an overlap of 51.11 % in the diet between males and females, The trophic spectrum of males comprising 11 prey categories revealed to be wider than that of females comprising nine prey categories. Despite differences in diets between the sexes, Blattodea, Orthoptera, Araneae, Coleoptera, and Opiliones represented the most important prey category for all of them. In addition, we also report a new find of Leptobrachella eos , with a new subpopulation from Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Banna fanged frog (Limnonectes bannaensis) is known from China, Laos, and Vietnam; however knowledge about the natural history and dietary requirements of this species is virtually lacking. In this study, we provide data on the variation in dietary composition of L. bannaensis based on stomach-flushing of 117 individuals (41 males and 76 females) captured and subsequently released during our recent field work in Son La Province, northwestern Vietnam. A total of 19 prey categories with 513 items, comprising 502 items of invertebrates, seven items of vertebrates, and four unidentified items were found in the stomachs of L. bannaensis. The most important groups among the prey of L. bannaensis were Coleoptera (38.04%), followed by Hymenoptera (9.31%), Araneae (7.93%), Polydesmida (7.07%), Orthoptera (6.37%), Hemiptera (5.23%), and Lepidoptera (5.01%). Adult males (16 prey categories) consumed preys with slightly lower diversity than adult females (17 prey categories). There was 88.25% overlap in the diet between males and females and in both sexes the trophic spectrum was similar, predominantly consisting of Coleoptera, Polydesmida, Araneae, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Black-spotted Paddy Frog (Micryletta nigromaculata) was recently discovered from northern Vietnam. Due to its restricted distribution in limestone karst forests and habitat degradation, the endemic species has been listed as "Endangered" in the IUCN Red List. However, knowledge about the natural history of this species is scarce, including data on its dietary ecology. Recent field surveys revealed new populations of M. nigromaculata occurring in Son La Province, northwestern Vietnam based on morphological analysis. Using the stomach-flushing method, we analyzed stomach contents of 45 individuals (21 males and 24 females) from a total of 52 captured frogs because stomachs of six males and one female (13.5%) were empty. The food spectrum of M. nigromaculata comprises 12 types with a total of 691 prey items (687 invertebrate items and four unidentified items), belonging to six insect orders, larvae and Araneae. Similar to other species of the family Microhylidae, M. nigromaculata is also identified as an ant (Formicidae) - termite (Rhinotermitidae) eating specialist with distinctly higher percentages of occurrence frequency (F = 65 %), number of prey items (N = 80 %), and importance (Ix = 75 %) than those of remaining types. The Simpson diversity index of 0.939 shows a high abundance of food prey in the wild, and the Evenness index of 0.536 suggests biased consumption of feeding selection for M. nigromaculata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hekou Torrent Frog (Amolops shihaitaoi) was recently discovered from southern China and northern Vietnam in 2022. The knowledge about natural history and feeding ecology of this species is virtually lacking.Based on our recent fieldwork in northern Vietnam, we report a new population of A. shihaitaoi from Ha Giang Province. In this study, we provide novel data on the diet of A. shihaitaoi, based on stomach content analyses of 36 individuals (17 males and 19 females). A total of 36 prey categories with 529 items, comprising 515 items of invertebrates and 14 unidentified items, were found in the stomachs of A. shihaitaoi. The dominant prey items of the species were Hymenoptera (Formicidae), Orthoptera (Acrididae), Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera other), Mantodea (Mantidae) and Araneae. The importance index (Ix) of prey categories ranged from 7.1% to 11.5%. Hymenoptera (Formicidae) had the highest frequency of prey items, found in 36 stomachs.

Aim: Despite the increasing scientific evidence on the importance of carrion in the ecology and evolution of many vertebrates, scavenging is still barely considered in diet studies. Here, we draw attention to how scientific literature has underestimated the role of vertebrates as scavengers, identifying the ecological traits that characterize those species whose role as scavengers could have gone especially unnoticed. Location: Global. Time Period: 1938–2022. Major Taxa Studied: Terrestrial vertebrate scavengers. Methods: We analysed and compared (a) the largest database available on scavenging patterns by carrion‐consuming vertebrates, (b) 908 diet studies about 156 scavenger species and (c) one of the most complete databases on bird and mammal diets (Elton Traits database). For each of these 156 species, we calculated their scavenging degree (i.e. proportion of carcases where the species is detected consuming carrion) as a proxy for carrion consumption, and related their ecological traits with the probability of being identified as scavengers in diet studies and in the Elton Traits database. Results: More than half of the species identified as scavengers at monitored carcasses were not assigned carrion as food source in their diet studies nor in the Elton Traits database. Using a subset of study sites, we found a direct relationship between a species' scavenging degree and its rate of carrion biomass removal. In addition, scavenger species, which were classified as non‐predators and mammals had a lower probability of being identified as scavengers in diet studies and in the Elton Traits database, respectively. Main Conclusions: Our results clearly indicate an underestimation of the role of scavenging in vertebrate food webs. Given that detritus recycling is fundamental to ecosystem functioning, we encourage further recognition and investigation of the role of carrion as a food resource for vertebrates, especially for non‐predator species and mammals with higher scavenging degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Open data and code can be transformative tools in supporting evidence‐informed solutions for stakeholders. Data can take many forms of evidence in the discipline of applied ecology including tables, lists, maps and visualizations to name a few. Endangered and listed species are often a catalyst for research, conservation and planning. Here, a novel, open data set summarizing all the reported diet and prey items for all endangered, terrestrial dryland species listed in central California is provided as a case study. These data highlight the critical need for sharing data rapidly and transparently to support ecological solution science. Systematic review practices were used, data were compiled and the resulting data set was published in an open access, federated data repository using ecological metadata language and FAIR principles. The goal is to show that these data can now be used and analysed by applied ecologists and stakeholders to identify not only the habitat and spatial needs for the endangered species but to widen the conservation protection net to include prey species. Conserving viable habitat with higher likelihoods of prey presence will better support conservation of endangered species, and data describing reported species are a crucial first step. Interactive tables, local species lists and maps are simple tools that can now be developed regionally with open data such as these.

This dataset reports the diet composition of a highly diverse anuran assemblage in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. In 2001 we examined the diet of an assemblage of frogs from Yasuní National Park. We describe the diet of 396 adult individuals, belonging to 35 species, based on their gastrointestinal contents. Using a stereoscopic microscope, we were able to identify 4085 prey items, and classified them in 71 categories. Also, we used a digital caliper to measure the size and estimate the volume of prey items that were found intact. In addition to diet composition, we provide information of all specimens that were examined including, museum number, family name, species name, and place and date of collection. Finally, we present an anuran–prey interaction network figure to visualize species interactions. This is the first report of the diet composition of an anuran assemblage from Yasuní National Park. It contributes to the understanding of trophic ecology of frog assemblages and the functional role of frogs in Amazonian ecosystems. In addition, our dataset helps to fill the great knowledge gap that exists about ecological interactions in the tropics.

Diets are a critical factor in the artificial production of lobster larvae, yet knowledge of the diet requirements of spiny lobster especially at its early life stages is rarely investigated. Thus, the present study aimed at finding potential diets of spiny lobster larva by analyzing the stomach content of wild-caught ornate spiny lobster, Panulirus ornatus, at three different life stages: puerulus, post-puerulus, and juvenile using eDNA metabarcoding. The results showed that 10 plankton species were identified at the puerulus stage, and the top five were Oithona sp. (36.30% of the relative quantity of eDNA), Macropthalmus setous (19.18%), Audacallichirus mirim (13.01%), Oithona simplex (5.48%), and Pseudodiaptomus euryhalinus (4.11%). Furthermore, 17 species were identified from the post-puerulus stage, and the five most dominant species were Audacallichirus mirim (28.60%), Oithona sp. (19.36%), Pichia sp. (5.96%), Helice tientsinensis (5.86%), and Oithona simplex (5.36%). At the juvenile stage, 34 diet species were identified, of which the top five most dominant species were Oithona sp. (80.88%), followed by Canthocalanus pauper (5.66%), Acartia bispinosa (4.02%), Longipedia koreana (2.30%), and Oithona davisae (1.92%). In addition, 56 plankton species were identified from the natural habitat including Sicyonia laevigata (33.73%), Oithona simplex (23.70%), Oithona sp. (17.70%), and Acartia tonsa (11.89%). Of the identified species, five were considered highly potential for developing artificially producing lobster seeds which were Oithona sp., Oithona simplex, Acartia bispinosa, Acartia tonsa and Pseudodiaptomus euryhalinus.

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are opportunistic carnivores that feed primarily on benthic invertebrates and fish. Sea turtle rehabilitation requires provision of a species‐specific, balanced diet that supplies nutrition similar to that of a wild diet; this can be challenging because free‐ranging loggerheads' diets vary depending on their life stage and geographic location, with predominant prey species dictated by local availability. The goal of this study was to better understand the nutritional needs of subadult and adult loggerheads in rehabilitation. This was accomplished by conducting a retrospective survey of stomach contents identified during gross necropsy of 153 deceased loggerheads that stranded in coastal Georgia, USA. A total of 288 different forage items were identified; the most frequently observed prey items belong to the subphylum Crustacea (N = 131), followed by bony fish (Osteichthyes; N = 45), gastropod mollusks (N = 40), bivalve mollusks (N = 23), and Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus; N = 15). The proportions of certain prey items differed significantly with turtle size; adult turtles ate proportionately more gastropods (p = 0.001), and subadults ate proportionately more fish (p = 0.01). Stomach contents information was used to determine common local prey items (blue crab, cannonball jellyfish, horseshoe crab, whelk), which were evaluated for nutritional content. Additionally, we compared hematology and plasma biochemistry profiles (including proteins, trace minerals, and vitamins) between four cohorts of loggerhead turtles, including free‐ranging subadults and adults, nesting females, and loggerheads undergoing rehabilitation. This information was applied to inform a regionally specific, formulated diet for tube feeding, and a supplement containing vitamins and minerals for captive loggerheads, to more closely approximate the nutritional content of their natural diet. Assessing the regional and temporal variability in loggerhead diets is an important component in their effective conservation because resultant data can be used to help understand the impacts of environmental perturbations on benthic food webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cattle egret is globally widespread bird. Egrets are considered as an opportunistic feeder, they feed on easily obtained prey from the feeding habitat. This study reveals an analysis of seasonal diet composition with the diverse foraging behaviour used by cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) in four different sites at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The observations at the study sites results in, that cattle egrets are the highly insectivorous bird. They preferred to consume 18 orders from five phyla of prey items during the study period, which includes twelve orders of insects, three orders of Pisces, an Anura from Amphibia, Opisthopora order of Annelids and Squamata order of Reptilia. Moreover, in 13 different common feeding behaviour of herons, the 10 behaviour i.e. Walk slowly, stand and wait, walk quickly, standing fly catching, neck swaying, fly scanning and resting were observed in all habitats. Foot stirring and probing were observed in only wetlands, while Search and pecking behaviour was not found in wetlands. Rest of three i.e. Leap frog feeding, hopping and canopy feeding behaviour of herons were not present in anyoneof the feeding habitats. The descriptive study of diet and feeding behaviour is an important for the study of feeding ecology of the cattle egret. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high abundance of the gobiid fish Glossogobius callidus in many freshwater ecosystems in South Africa, very few studies have assessed the biology and ecology of the species. Here, we investigated the diet of G. callidus populations sourced from Sundays River irrigation ponds. A total of 571 fish grouped into two size classes (TL, range ± SD: juveniles of 20–60 ± 45 mm; adults of 61–140 ± 85 mm) were sampled by seine netting; prey items were removed from the guts and identified and sorted to obtain dietary information for each prey group. Of the examined guts, 97% contained prey comprising 17 taxa within 10 taxonomic groups. Teleosts were identified to species level, whereas most dietary components were identified to a broad taxonomic group. Aquatic invertebrates were the most important component of the diet of G. callidus, but the index of relative importance (%IRI) of dominant invertebrate taxa varied according to ontogenetic stage of G. callidus and season. Prey taxa included: Diptera, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Odonata, Cladocera, Copepoda, Hydracarina, Amphipoda, Mollusca and Teleostei. Dipteran prey taxa were consistently encountered in both size classes and across all seasons. G. callidus can therefore be regarded as a generalist invertivore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distributional ranges of Cape anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and Natal anchovy Stolephorus holodon presently overlap at their eastern and western extremes, respectively, off South Africa's east coast. These species might become more strongly sympatric as a consequence of changed distributions caused by climate change, possibly leading to intensified interspecific competition for trophic and other resources. A comparative analysis of the trophodynamics of the two species, which set out to assess elements of current niche partitioning between them, was conducted through morphological, dietary and stable-isotope analyses of specimens caught off South Africa's east coast. Cape anchovy have larger gillraker spacing, gain the majority of their dietary carbon from large (>3 000 µm total length) planktonic crustaceans and occupy a higher trophic level than Natal anchovy, which have smaller gillraker spacing and gain the majority of their dietary carbon from planktonic crustaceans of two size classes (900–1 400 µm and 2 800–3 200 µm total length). These results indicate an element of trophic partitioning between the two species that will mitigate against interspecific competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since there is currently a lack of data on the natural history of Odorrana chapaensis, an amphibian species listed in the IUCN Red List (2019), we herein provided the feeding ecology of this amphibian species is virtually lacking. We herein provide data about the diet of O. chapaensis based on the results of our field work in Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La District and Xim Vang Commune, Bac Yen District, Son La Province, Vietnam. We used the stomach-flushing method to obtain the stomach contents of 85 individuals at two survey sites. A total of 20 prey categories with 334 items, comprising 299 items of invertebrates and 35 unidentified items, were found in the stomachs of O. chapaensis. The dominant prey items of O. chapaensis were Araneae, Polydesmida, insect larvae, Blattodea, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. The importance index for these categories ranged from 3.5% to 32.5%. Coleoptera was the category with the highest frequency of prey items and its representatives were found in 45 stomaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using DNA barcoding and stable isotope analysis, we identified adult dragonfly prey items from the fecal pellets of five dragonfly species—Nannophya pygmaea, Ischnura asiatica, Sympetrum eroticum, Orthetrum albistylum, and Anax parthenope—collected from a mountain bog located in south‐eastern South Korea. Twelve operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to four orders, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera, were identified as prey items of adult dragonflies using DNA barcoding. Among prey items, Dipterans were the most common, comprising seven of the 10 OTUs. Based on stable isotope analysis, adult dragonflies and their nymphs were among the most numerous predators in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Additionally, dragonfly species with smaller adult sizes had different isotopic compositions to those reaching larger adult sizes. Both δ15N and δ13C values were significantly lower in smaller species than in larger species, indicating differences in their trophic levels and carbon sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding on aquatic invertebrates, intensity and efficiency of forage intake were studied at the Sivash lagoons in 1995-2002 by the example of 6 wader species (217 birds). The diet composition significantly varied from seeds of plants to different species of aquatic and soil organisms. The diet at Eastern Sivash was based on Polychaeta, at Central Sivash -- on Crustacea and chironomid larvae (Insecta). Foraging intensity depended on the abundance of main prey and the size of prey items taken. We distinguished the studied wader species as "probers" and "gatherers" of forage. The highest foraging intensity among "probers" and "gatherers" were observed at the Sivash lagoons in feeding sites with a high number of chironomid larvae, and the lowest one -- in feeding sites with a polychaeta worm Hediste diversicolor. The wader foraging intensity was associated with high density and availability of prey items: at Central Sivash -- chironomid larvae and brine shrimps (Artemia salina), at Eastern Sivash -- chironomid larvae and polychaetes. Results of the stomach analysis and obtained correlations indicate a determinative role of polychaetes, molluscs, brine shrimps and chironomids in the foraging behaviour and distribution of the studied species of waders at migratory stopovers of the Azov-Black Sea Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our knowledge of deepwater ecosystems along the Pacific of Central America is extremely limited. We analyzed the diet composition of 200 adult specimens of Lophiodes spilurus ranging in size from 7.8 to 17.8 cm total length (TL). Samples were obtained from deep bottom trawls (depth: 105-238 m) along the central Pacific of Costa Rica. We calculated the percentage of number (% N), weight (% W), and occurrence (% O) of each food item encountered in the stomachs; based on this information, the Index of Relative Importance (IR) was calculated. Moreover, we estimated diet overlap for three different size classes (15.1 cm TL). The results revealed exclusively two groups of benthic prey items: crustaceans (30%) and teleost fish (70%) in their diet. The most frequent preys were pandalid shrimps Plesionika trispinus (% O = 17) and the fathom mora Physiculus rastrelliger (% O = 12). The greatest diversity and frequency of abundance of food items was observed in intermediate-sized individuals (10.1-15.0 cm TL). Small-sized L. spilurus (< 10.1 cm TL) fed mainly on teleost fish, while larger (> 15.0 cm TL) preyed on large-sized stomatopods and teleost fish. There was a clear diet overlap between small and intermediate-sized L. spilurus (p < 0.05). However, differences in diet-overlap were not detected in small and large-sized individuals or intermediate and large-sized specimens (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that L. spilurus feeds exclusively on crustaceans (Decapoda and Stomatopoda) and benthic teleost fish along the Pacific of Costa Rica. While small and large-sized individuals showed a more pronounced selectivity for certain prey items, the high diversity of benthic prey items observed in intermediate-sized specimens suggest a more opportunistic foraging behavior. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (4): 1959-1970. Epub 2008 December 12.Nuestro conocimiento de los ecosistemas marinos de profundidad a lo largo de la costa centroamericana es muy limitado. En el presente estudio se analizó la composición alimenticia de 200 especimenes adultos de Lophiodes spilurus que medían entre 7.8 y 17.8 cm longitud total (LT). Las muestras fueron obtenidas de arrastres camaroneros (profundidad: 105-238 m) a lo largo del Pacífico Central de Costa Rica. Calculamos el porcentaje del número (% N), peso (% W) y presencia (% O) de cada ítem alimenticio encontrado en los estómagos. Basados en esta información, calculamos el Índice de Importancia Relativa (IR). Además, estimamos el traslape en la dieta de tres diferentes clases de tamaño (15.0 cm LT). Los resultados revelaron, exclusivamente, dos grupos de presas bentónicas: crustáceos (30%) y peces teleósteos (70%). Las presas más frecuentes fueron el camarón pandalido Plesionika trispinus (% O = 17) y la mora Physiculus rastrelliger (% 0 = 12). La mayor diversidad y frecuencia de abundancia de ítems alimenticios se observó en individuos intermedios (10.1-15.0 cm LT). Individuos pequeños (< 10.1 cm TL) se alimentaron principalmente de peces teleósteos, mientras que individuos de mayor tamaño (> 15.0 cm TL) consumieron organismos de mayor tamaño y peso como estomatópodos y peces teleósteos. Se encontró un claro traslape en la composición alimenticia de individuos de tamaño pequeño e intermedio de L. spilurus (p < 0.05). Sin embargo, estas diferencias no se detectaron en individuos de tamaño pequeño y grande, ni en individuos intermedios y grandes (p > 0.05). Nuestros resultados sugieren que en el Pacífico de Costa Rica L. spilurus se alimenta exclusivamente de crustáceos (Decapoda and Stomatopoda) y peces teleósteos bentónicos. Los especimenes medianos parecen alimentarse de forma oportunista.

Background: The Hekou Torrent Frog ( Amolopsshihaitaoi ) was recently discovered from southern China and northern Vietnam in 2022. The knowledge about natural history and feeding ecology of this species is virtually lacking., New Information: Based on our recent fieldwork in northern Vietnam, we report a new population of A.shihaitaoi from Ha Giang Province. In this study, we provide novel data on the diet of A.shihaitaoi , based on stomach content analyses of 36 individuals (17 males and 19 females). A total of 36 prey categories with 529 items, comprising 515 items of invertebrates and 14 unidentified items, were found in the stomachs of A.shihaitaoi . The dominant prey items of the species were Hymenoptera (Formicidae), Orthoptera (Acrididae), Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera other), Mantodea (Mantidae) and Araneae. The importance index (Ix) of prey categories ranged from 7.1% to 11.5%. Hymenoptera (Formicidae) had the highest frequency of prey items, found in 36 stomachs., (Sonephet Siliyavong, Ngoc Van Hoang, Tao Thien Nguyen, Truong Nguyen, Anh Van Pham.)

We studied the feeding habits of Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei in small water bodies in the central region of the Brazilian Cerrado. We captured 80 individuals, 79 of which [41 (52%) females, 27 males (34%), 11 (14%) juveniles] had stomach contents for analysis. We identified 64 food item categories. The turtles were eating more animal than plant material, aquatic invertebrates being the most conspicuous diet item found. Plant material was more abundant in females and rare in the diet of juveniles. Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei proved to be an omnivorous and opportunistic chelonian, feeding on a wide range of food items. Although there are differences in the consumption of food items among sexes and age categories, the most consumed food categories were common in all water bodies sampled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits of the mud shrimp Solenocera melantho were studied in the East China Sea by analysing 720 stomach contents and comparing diet composition and prey diversity among seasons, sexes and size classes. Feeding activity was linked to season and ovarian condition. The stomach fullness was high during spring and summer and low in fall. Females with advanced ovaries also displayed low stomach fullness, which suggests that feeding activity is affected by the reproductive cycle. The diet of S. melantho consisted of 42 different prey categories, primarily smaller crustaceans, Foraminifera, polychaetes, mollusks and fishes (larvae and eggs). Crustacea,Foraminifera and polychaetes together constituted the dominant prey groups, accounting for 75% of total prey abundance and >50% of total prey occurrence. Diet composition differed among seasons between sexes and size classes. Females and males consumed the same prey items but with different orders of importance. In terms of body size, the small shrimps preferred relatively small food items, such as Foraminifera and algae, whereas larger shrimps preferred polychaetes and crustaceans. Trophic diversity varied among the seasons within both sexes and size classes, with the highest values being observed in fall. Niche overlap was high within both sexes and size classes among seasons (0.6051-0.8740). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se estudió el contenido estomacal de tres especies de peces importantes en la pesquería artesanal y que están presentes en Bahía La Herradura de Coquimbo: Cheilodactylus variegatus, Pinguipes chilensis y Prolatilus jugularis. Durante octubre y noviembre del 2001 se capturaron 20 ejemplares por especie, determinándose la frecuencia numérica (FN), volumétrica (FV) y de ocurrencia (FO) para cada uno de los ítem-presa encontrados. Esta información fue analizada mediante el IIR y para determinar la existencia de sobreposición de nicho alimentario se empleó el índice de Morisita. Se observó que Ch. variegatus y P. chilensis presentan una alimentación preferentemente basada en crustáceos como Rhynchocinetes typus y que P. jugularis se alimenta principalmente de poliquetos. La sobreposición de nicho es muy alta entre Ch. variegatus y P. chilensis (0,85), mientras que la menor similitud se presenta entre P. chilensis y P. jugularis (0,09)Stomach contents of tree important artisanal fishery species from the Herradura Bay in Coquimbo (IV Region, Chile), was studied: Cheilodactylus variegatus, Pinguipes chilensis and Prolatilus jugularis. 20 specimens of each species were captured between October and November of 2001. The numerical frecuency (FN), volume (FV) and occurrence (FO) of each prey-item was determined. This information was analyzed by IIR (relative importance index) and in order to determine the food niche overlap the Morisita index was used. Ch. variegatus and P. chilensis preferentially had a crustacean diet, based on Rhynchocinetes typus. P. jugularis preferes polychaets in its diet. The niche overlap between Ch. variegatus and P. chilensis was very high (0,85) while the lowest overlap was found between P. chilensis and P. jugularis (0,09)

The article presents a study on the prey selection of Barbary Falcons (Falco pelegrinoides) conducted at Dena National Park in Southwestern Iran, in the 2011 to 2013 breeding seasons. Methods of the study were discussed which include video recording of the nest and collecting and identifying prey remains. Results show that the diet of Barbary Falcons is comprised of bee-eater, wood pigeon and middle spotted woodpecker and is based on the prey's availability and size.

Gaidropsarus guttatus is a nocturnal predator that dwells in rocky bottoms of Macaronesian coastal areas. There are no studies as yet on the feeding ecology of this species. This paper describes the feeding habits of this quite unknown species, based on a sample from Faial Island, Azores, Portugal. This sample is composed of 82 specimens collected between August 1997 and April 1999, both in intertidal pools and sub-tidal shallow waters (max. depth 10 m). 95% of sampled stomachs contained food items totaling 303 preys from 11 different taxa. Most important items were decapoda (45%), from which Pachygrapsus marmoratus (24%) showed to be clearly a dominant prey. Teleost fish represented 17% of all prey items. The significant presence of benthonic species and algae in their stomach contents do suggest that G. guttatus is an opportunistic suction feeder predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This dataset reports the diet composition of a highly diverse anuran assemblage in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. In 2001 we examined the diet of an assemblage of frogs from Yasuní National Park. We describe the diet of 396 adult individuals, belonging to 35 species, based on their gastrointestinal contents. Using a stereoscopic microscope, we were able to identify 4085 prey items, and classified them in 71 categories. Also, we used a digital caliper to measure the size and estimate the volume of prey items that were found intact. In addition to diet composition, we provide information of all specimens that were examined including, museum number, family name, species name, and place and date of collection. Finally, we present an anuran-prey interaction network figure to visualize species interactions. This is the first report of the diet composition of an anuran assemblage from Yasuní National Park. It contributes to the understanding of trophic ecology of frog assemblages and the functional role of frogs in Amazonian ecosystems. In addition, our dataset helps to fill the great knowledge gap that exists about ecological interactions in the tropics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Abstract: The nutritional profile of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758) diets was determined from scats using a new diet formulation software program and a prey nutritional database developed from proximate analyses of various prey found in Alaskan waters. Scats were collected from Tugidak Island, Alaska, during summers from 2001 to 2009 and prey composition of the diet was estimated using split-sample frequency of occurrence (ssFO) and biomass reconstruction (BR). While 60 different prey items were identified across the collection period, only 21 were found in >10% of scats during at least one sampling period, and an average of 2.6 prey species were identified per scat. Diet diversity was consistently lower in the breeding season than in the molting season. The estimated relative importance of some prey items was significantly different between methods; however, there were no significant differences in the overall estimated protein, lipid, or gross energy composition of the diets. The diet formulation software allows evaluation of the nutritional composition of free-ranging diets using the non-invasive collection of scat. Results from combining the prey database and nutritional composition of diets across years suggest that harbor seals have flexible diets and can maintain nutritional input by taking advantage of seasonally or periodically abundant prey. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Clarifying interspecific differences in prey items in relation to morphological characteristics is a fundamental aspect to understand the mechanism enabling the diversity of feeding ecology of fishes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between prey items and body shape variation, teeth and mandible characteristics for four lutjanid species: Lutjanus decussatus, L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus and L. gibbus. Stomach contents analysis revealed that the main prey items of L. decussatus were fishes, L. fulviflamma were crabs and fishes, and L. fulvus and L. gibbus was crabs. Body shape analysis revealed that L. decussatus and L. fulviflamma had a shallower body depth whereas L. fulvus and L. gibbus had a deeper body depth. The two species with a shallower body had long teeth whereas the other two species with a deeper body depth had shorter teeth. The jaw-lever mechanics were compared and L. decussatus and L. fulviflamma have a faster mouth opening-closing mechanism. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that fishes was the major prey item for the species having a shallower body depth, higher teeth length and lower ratios of in-lever to out-lever of mandibles, whereas crabs was the major prey item for the species having a deeper body depth, lower teeth length and higher ratios of in-lever to out-lever of mandibles. It is suggested that the interspecific differences in main prey items among the four species are directly related to behavioral differences based on body shape, teeth characteristics and jaw-lever mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits of the sand shrimpCrangon hakodateiin the East Sea (Korea) were investigated through analysis and comparison of the stomach contents of 602 individuals according to season, shrimp size class, and prey diversity. The diet ofC. hakodateiconsisted of 17 prey categories mainly comprising crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, nematodes, algae, and fishes, with crustaceans dominating the diet. Molluscs, nematodes, and fishes were also important prey, whilst other categories including polychaetes and algae comprised small percentages of the diet. For smallC. hakodateiindividuals (<10 mm carapace length [CL]), amphipods and mysids comprised more than 67% of the prey in both relative abundance and frequency of occurrence. Large individuals (>10 mm CL) tended to be more dependent on amphipods than mysids. Amphipods and mysids together constituted the dominant prey, accounting for more than 50% of the diet in terms of both percent occurrence and relative abundance. The abundance and occurrence of prey showed a seasonal variation, with amphipods and mysids being the predominant prey in autumn (45%), winter (30%), and spring (40%). Amphipods were the dominant prey with regard to season, size class, sex, and area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Boletin SAO is the property of Sociedad Antioquena de Ornitologia 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.)

Our study aimed to analyse the food composition of three Bombina variegata populations from three different habitats from Vâlsan River Protected Natural Area. The most intense feeding and the highest trophic diversity were registered in a slow-flowing aquatic habitat with stagnant sectors, surrounded by different terrestrial habitats. In this case, the toads can feed with both the resources of the populated aquatic habitat and massively hunt in the neighbouring terrestrial areas, this variability assuring a rich amount of preys, both quantitatively as well as qualitatively. The three populations consumed 604 preys belonging to 34 prey taxa categories. Vegetal matter, shed-skin fragments and inorganic elements were also identified in the stomach contents, beside the animal preys. The ants hold high percentage abundance and frequency of occurrence values in the case of all populations, underlining their importance for B. variegata. Although there are feeding differences between the populations, these are not significant. Our results highlight the importance of preserving the aquatic habitats populated by B. variegata, as well as that of the neighbouring terrestrial ones and also of maintaining the access of the toads to them. Practically, the species can adequately feed if it can go back and forth from the aquatic to the terrestrial habitat. In this context, the road works that take place in the protected area do not favour the future of some B. variegata populations from Vâlsan River Protected Natural Area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octacnemids represent a different pathway in the evolution of the typical filter-feeding ascidians. We examine and identify the prey items in the gut contents and describe the cell types that constitute the inner wall of different sections of the gut of the macrophagous octacnemid Cibacapsa gulosa collected in the South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica. A great variety of prey items were found: polychaetes, copepods, halacarids, amphipods, isopods and ophiuroids. The internal wall of the gut is lined with a monostratified, prismatic epithelium. Different cell types occur in the inner wall in different sections. The presence of zymogenic cells throughout the internal gut epithelium, as well as the presence of concretion cells in the stomach of C. gulosa, also present in the macrophagous tunicate group Sorberacea (= Hexacrobylidae), can be considered as an adaptation to the macrophagous diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the diet of eight boid snakes: Boa c. constrictor, Boa c. amarali, Corallus caninus, C. hortulanus, Epicrates cenchria, E. crassus, E. assisi and Eunectes murinus mainly by analyzing the gut contents of preserved museum specimens, and includes a literature review to present an overview of the diet of Brazilian boids. Mammals constitute the primary prey consumed by the majority of the species. Birds are also frequently consumed by C. hortulanus and Boa contrictor, and are the most important prey for B. c. amarali. Ectotherms (mostly lizards) were only consumed by immature snakes. Such prey is rarely consumed by B. c. amarali and not recorded for Epicrates and Eunectes species in our dissections. C. caninus is likely a mammal specialist and Epicrates prey on birds more opportunistically. The niche overlap index varied from 0.27-0.52 for species occurring in the same bioma and geographic range but it is possible this overlap is lower as most sympatric species explore different macrohabitat. C. hortulanus exhibited a significant relationship between prey size and predator head size; this relationship did not differ among mature and immature snakes. In comparison to immature individuals heavier adult snakes fed on heavier prey items however, the ratio between prey/predator mass decreased with increase in predator mass (or size). Most boids exploit diurnal and nocturnal preys, probably using both sit-and-wait and active tactics. They feed on the ground but boas and C. hortulanus and possibly E. cenchria also exploit arboreal prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our knowledge of deepwater ecosystems along the Pacific of Central America is extremely limited. We analyzed the diet composition of 200 adult specimens of Lophiodes spilurus ranging in size from 7.8 to 17.8 cm total length (TL). Samples were obtained from deep bottom trawls (depth: 105-238 m) along the central Pacific of Costa Rica. We calculated the percentage of number (% N), weight (% W), and occurrence (% O) of each food item encountered in the stomachs; based on this information, the Index of Relative Importance (IR) was calculated. Moreover, we estimated diet overlap for three different size classes (<10.1, 10.1-15.0 and >15.1 cm TL). The results revealed exclusively two groups of benthic prey items: crustaceans (30%) and teleost fish (70%) in their diet. The most frequent preys were pandalid shrimps Plesionika trispinus (% O = 17) and the fathom mora Physiculus rastrelliger (% O = 12). The greatest diversity and frequency of abundance of food items was observed in intermediate-sized individuals (10.1-15.0 cm TL). Small-sized L. spilurus (< 10.1 cm TL) fed mainly on teleost fish, while larger (> 15.0 cm TL) preyed on large-sized stomatopods and teleost fish. There was a clear diet overlap between small and intermediate-sized L. spilurus (p < 0.05). However, differences in diet-overlap were not detected in small and large-sized individuals or intermediate and large-sized specimens (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that L. spilurus feeds exclusively on crustaceans (Decapoda and Stomatopoda) and benthic teleost fish along the Pacific of Costa Rica. While small and large-sized individuals showed a more pronounced selectivity for certain prey items, the high diversity of benthic prey items observed in intermediatesized specimens suggest a more opportunistic foraging behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]