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Feeding of tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerna (Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae) in the north-east Mediterranean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2011

Marco Stagioni ,
Stefano Montanini  and
Maria Vallisneri
Marco Stagioni
Affiliation:
Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi, 3–40126 Bologna, Italy Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fishery, University of Bologna, Viale Adriatico, 1/N–61032 Fano (PU), Italy
Stefano Montanini
Affiliation:
Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi, 3–40126 Bologna, Italy Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fishery, University of Bologna, Viale Adriatico, 1/N–61032 Fano (PU), Italy
Maria Vallisneri*
Affiliation:
Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi, 3–40126 Bologna, Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M. Vallisneri, Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi, 3–40126 Bologna, Italy email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The stomach contents of 1096 specimens of Chelidonichthys lucerna were examined in order to analyse their diet composition according to fish size, sex, depth and season. Sampling was carried out from May 2005 to March 2007 during several bottom trawl surveys in the Adriatic Sea (north-east Mediterranean). Feeding activity was more intense in juveniles than in adults. The most important prey was Crustacea (mainly Decapoda: Brachyura, such as Goneplax rhomboides, Liocarcinus spp., Philocheras spp.) and Teleostei (mainly European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and black goby Gobius niger). There was no difference between male and female diet. Feeding habits varied with size, with fish dominating the stomach contents of larger specimens. Finally, fish increased in winter and crustaceans in summer. Chelidonichthys lucerna shows a generalist and opportunistic foraging behaviour, preying mainly epibenthic and nectobenthic organisms.

Keywords

Chelidonichthys lucernatub gurnardfeeding activityMediterranean Sea
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 92 , Issue 3 , May 2012 , pp. 605 - 612
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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