Abstract
The Mediterranean toothcarp Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821) is a small-sized omnivorous estuarine fish. Its diet is dominated by juveniles of shrimps (Palaemon adspersus), Isopods, Branchiopoda, Bivalvia, eggs of invertebrates, mosquitoes (adults and larvae) and diatoms. An ontogenetic diet shift with an increase in mean prey size with fish length was observed. Smaller fish feed on planktonic prey (e.g. copepods, ostracods, nauplii of Artemia), while larger fish prefer larger and more benthic preys (e.g. ampipods, Bivalvia). The diet of A. fasciatus shows a high degree of seasonal variation, with a reduction in the feeding activity during the periods of adverse environmental conditions (winter and autumn). It is a well-adapted estuarine fish, its feeding mode and preferences depending on the preys that are available. Its feeding strategy is characterised by specialisation in different resource types (aquatic invertebrates and mosquitoes) and a high between-phenotype contribution (BPC) to niche width, with specialised individuals showing little or no overlap in resource use.
Highlights
The Mediterranean toothcarp, Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821), is distributed in the coastal zone of the central and eastern Mediterranean (Whitehead et al, 1986)
A. fasciatus was recently listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red Data Book of endangered species (Baillie and Groombridge, 1996), where it was qualified as “Least Concern”, namely a species that has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
The aim of this study is to provide qualitative and quantitative information on the feeding strategy of A. fasciatus with special emphasis on seasonal, habitat and ontogenetic variation in diet
Summary
The Mediterranean toothcarp, Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821), is distributed in the coastal zone of the central and eastern Mediterranean (Whitehead et al, 1986) It is a small fish (total length usually less than 6 cm) The populations of A. fasciatus have declined dramatically, in many cases even to extinction, due to problems such as brackish-water habitat degradation, pollution of continental and coastal waters, destruction and reduction of salt-works, and introduction of exotic fishes (Bianco, 1995) As a consequence, it has been listed in Annexes II and III of the “Bern Convention”, relative to the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment in Europe (Council of Europe, 2000) and in Annex II of the ‘Fauna–Flora-Habitat’ Directive 92/43/EEC concerning conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna of the European Union (Council of Europe, 1992). A. fasciatus was recently listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red Data Book of endangered species (Baillie and Groombridge, 1996), where it was qualified as “Least Concern”, namely a species that has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
