Abstract
AbstractThe food habits of the South Pacific hake (Merluccius gayi) from Ecuadorian waters were studied by analysing 232 stomachs of specimens ranging from 23.4–83.1 cm in total length (TL). Fish was the most important prey group (Alimentary Index, %AI = 94), Ctenosciaena peruviana being the most represented prey species (%AI = 62.17). PERMANOVA analysis showed dietary differences between the smallest individuals (class I < 30 cm TL) and the largest (class IV 40–45 cm TL; class V ≥ 45 cm TL). In addition, spatial differences in dietary composition were found between the three sampled regions (Manabí, Santa Elena and Guayas). The results of this study indicate that the South Pacific hake is an opportunistic predator feeding on a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
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