Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal)

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal) Pedro Seabra1*, Inês Louro1, Pedro Neves1, Rui P. Vieira2, 3 and Marina R. Cunha2* 1 Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia, Portugal 2 Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Portugal 3 University of Southampton, Ocean and Earth Sciences, United Kingdom Beach seine fishery (Arte Xávega) has a great tradition in Portugal and it is an activity with high socio-economic implications for small fishing communities. However, this fishery is characterised by the significant bycatch and discards of numerous species. In this study, we investigated the feeding habits of two dominant fish species from beach seine discards of Praia de Mira. The stomach contents of Chelidonichthys lucernus (TL = 12.7 - 18.5cm) and Trisopterus luscus (TL = 9.7 - 13.1cm), collected in September 2015, were analysed. Decapod crustaceans (mainly Crangon crangon) constitute the main food items of C. lucernus, while T. luscus also includes a large number of amphipods in their diet. Secondary prey of both species includes other small crustaceans (e.g. Brachyura and Cumacea), teleost fish larvae and small mollusks. Niche breadth and overlap were estimated using indexes of Levins and Pianka, respectively, showing a high level of specialization but also some degree of diet overlap between these two species; the occurrence of items in a reduced state of digestion suggests that C. lucernus is an opportunistic feeder. All the analysed specimens are juveniles and no empty stomachs were found, revealing the importance off shallow waters off Praia de Mira as feeding areas. Acknowledgements Thanks are due, for the financial support to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017), to FCT/MEC through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. R.P. Vieira is supported by a doctoral grant from the Portuguese Science Foundation (SFRH/BD/84030/2012). Keywords: Discards, Beach seine, trophic ecology, Fishes, feeding habits Conference: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2016, Peniche, Portugal, 14 Jul - 15 Jul, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster presentation Topic: Fisheries and Management Citation: Seabra P, Louro I, Neves P, Vieira RP and Cunha MR (2016). Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2016. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.04.00021 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 02 Jun 2016; Published Online: 13 Jul 2016. * Correspondence: Mr. Pedro Seabra, Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia, Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, ppedro@ua.pt Dr. Marina R Cunha, Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, marina.cunha@ua.pt Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha Google Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha Google Scholar Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha PubMed Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.