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Feeding comparisons of four batoids (Elasmobranchii) in coastal waters of southern Brazil.

Authors :
Bornatowski, Hugo
Wosnick, Natascha
do Carmo, Wanessa P. David
Corrêa, Marco Fábio Maia
Abilhoa, Vinícius
Source :
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom; Nov2014, Vol. 94 Issue 7, p1491-1499, 9p
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Food partitioning between species is a common strategy for avoiding resource competition which allows the coexistence of two or more species in the same place. In order to evaluate the feeding of four species of batoids regularly caught by artisanal fisheries in southern Brazil, the present study aimed to analyse and compare the diet of the four batoid species. The Chola guitarfish, Rhinobatos percellens, had a specialized diet, consisting predominantly of blue crabs Callinectes sp., followed by teleost fish. The Lesser guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris also had a very specialized diet, consuming mainly on Polychaeta, followed by Caridea shrimp. The Cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus, fed mainly on Ophiuroidea, followed by Gastropoda and Bivalvia. Finally, the Rio skate Rioraja agassizi, fed on teleost fish, Gammaridae, Caridea shrimp and Dendrobranchiata shrimp. An analysis of similarity showed significant differences among species in their diet. The trophic levels of the batoids in this study are <4.0, placing them in intermediate trophic levels. The analysis of the diets indicates that feeding differs substantially among the four species, suggesting a partitioning of food resources available in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00253154
Volume :
94
Issue :
7
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
98595077
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315414000472