Abstract
The comparative feeding ecology of greenling Hexagrammos otakii and Schlegel`s black rockfish Sebastes schlereli populations was investigated in the Jangbong tidal flat near Incheon, Korea. Monthly samples were taken using a modified otter trawl from November 1999 to January 2001. The stomach contents of 124 greenling and 115 Schlegel`s black rockfish were analyzed. The diet of H. otakii was dominated by the amphipods Gammaropsis iaponicus, Caprella scaura, Isaeopsis sp. and Monocorophium acherusicum, the shrimps Latreutes mucronatus and Alpheus japonicus, the mysid Neomysis orientalis and the bivalve Mytilus edulis. In contrast, S. schlegeli mainly fed on the mysids N. orientalis, N japonica, and N. awatschensis, the shrimps Exopalaemon carinicauda, A. japonicus and L. mucronatus, and the fish Pholis fangi and unidentified gobiids. A comparison of the frequency and abundance of food items showed that crustaceans (e.g. amphipods, mysids and shrimps) were important foods for both species. Their main dietary components, however differed which is probably due to differences in the spatial distribution of the two species and their prey items. In conclusion, greenling and Schlegel`s black rockfish, despite being sympatric on a tidal flat have distinct food habits and low dietary overlap (Schooner`s index: 0.1). These results indicate, to some extent, resource partitioning for the maximum utilization of available foods in the tidal flat.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
