Mean Number Of Prey Items Research Articles

Feeding habits of the striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus in the eastern Adriatic Sea

Feeding habits of the striped red mullet, Mullus surmutetus in the eastern Adriatic Sea were investigated. Stomach contents of 203 specimens (11.5 - 32.9 cm TL) collected by bottom trawling were analyzed. Commonly accepted procedures were followed during the diet composition inspection and standard keys were used for food items determination. Examinations showed that 39 identified prey taxa belong to 11 major systematic groups: Crustacea, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Pisces, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Polychaeta, Nematoda, Bryozoa, Algae and Rhizaria. The predominant and preferred prey category was decapod crustaceans within all size categories and only in the largest individuals, the dominance of Bivalvia followed by Polychaeta and Crustacea were found. The largest individuals also showed more variety in consumption of different prey categories and a higher mean number of prey items in comparison with smaller fish. No significant differences in prey foraging between males and females \((p>0.05)\) and regarding to season \((p>0.05)\) were found. Feeding on such wide spectra of prey without significant variations regarding to sex and season suggests that the striped red mullets are able to adapt to shifts in spatio-temporal variations in the abundance of potential prey. Presence of detritus in the digestive tracts is highly related to its foraging behaviour on muddy detritic bottoms.

The Importance of Estuarine Production of Large Prey for the Growth of Juvenile Temperate Seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

The feeding ecology of juvenile temperate seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) in relation to various prey environments was analyzed in the Yura River estuary from 2008 to 2012. Juveniles mainly fed on copepods and mysids, both in the Yura River estuary and in the adjacent coastal area. The dependency on the mysids increased as juveniles grew from 15 to 25 mm standard length (SL), and the main stomach contents were mysids for juveniles larger than 25 mm SL. The maximum size of food contents increased from 2 to 15 mm with the growth of juveniles from 15 to 25 mm SL. Most prey items smaller and larger than 2 mm were composed of copepods and mysids, respectively. The mean size of ingested food items increased with the size of the juveniles, while the mean number of prey items in each stomach decreased with growth after juveniles reached 22 mm SL. As a result, the stomach content index increased with the size of juveniles. These results indicate that the shift to larger-sized prey items (from copepods to mysids) is important for juveniles to obtain energy efficiently. Mysids were larger and more abundant in the estuaries than those in the coastal area. Therefore, the estuary provided better foraging conditions to juvenile temperate seabass than the coastal area.

Diet composition and feeding habits of the wide-eyed flounder, Bothus podas, in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia)

In order to study the feeding habits and the diet composition of the wide-eyed flounder, Bothus podas (Delaroche, 1809), the stomach contents of 749 specimens, size range 13–24.4 cm in total length (TL), captured from the Gulf of Gabes coasts (south Tunisia, central Mediterranean) were analysed. Examination of the feeding selectivity denotes the studied species as a benthivorous predator fish that focuses on active benthic crustaceans, mainly the isopods Cymodoce truncata, and gammarids. Molluscs, bryozoa and annelids contributed in secondary rank in the diet. Overall, 20.42 % of the stomachs inspected were empty. Little change in the vacuity index (VI) was noticed among size classes and between sexes, but the coefficient showed clear and significant monthly variations. The feeding intensity followed roughly a seasonal trend, with a minimum food intake in winter (% VI = 51.92 in January) and for fishes larger than 21 cm TL. Highest feeding intensity occurred in autumn (% VI = 6.25 in November). Despite the uniform diet composition, seasonal and ontogenetic variations in frequency occurrence were observed for the different prey groups. Seasonal differences appear to be related to the physiological changes during the reproduction cycle of the fish, and influenced by climatic factors in addition to the spatial and temporal abundance of the benthic sources in the study area. The mean weight (Wm/ST) decreased significantly from autumn to summer. The mean number (Nm/ST) was oscillating during the year. Size differences roughly reflect changing food preference with growth and the ability of large individuals to capture larger prey. The mean weight contents increased significantly for adults fishes, while the mean number of prey items did not show important variations among length classes. The obtained results indicated large diet breadth. B. podas makes use of a wide array of prey items and could be considered as an opportunistic predator.

Feeding habits of small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula Linnaeus, 1758) from the eastern central Adriatic Sea

The feeding habits of small-spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula, from the central Adriatic Sea, were investigated with respect to fish size, season and sampling location. Stomach contents of 1200 specimens, collected at monthly intervals (January to December 2010), were analysed. The prey items identified in the stomachs belonged to eight major groups: Cephalopoda, Polychaeta, Stomatopoda, Decapoda, Mysidacea, Euphausiacea, Amphipoda and Teleostei. Decapods were the most important ingested prey in all seasons, for medium sized fish (22–38 cm TL). Euphausiids and mysids constituted the main prey items of small fish (<22 cm TL) while teleosts dominated the stomach contents of larger specimens (>38 cm TL). Two decapods, Alpheus glaber (%IRI = 5.1) and Solenocera membranacea (%IRI = 3.0), were the most numerous prey items identified to species level. The mean weight of stomach contents (relative to predator size) increased significantly for fish larger than 30 cm TL, while the mean number of prey items did not differ significantly among size-classes. The percentage of empty stomachs showed a monthly variation with a maximal occurrence in February (48.0%) and a minimal in August (9.0%). The lowest feeding frequency could be related to low sea temperatures during the winter. The small-spotted catshark could be considered a generalistic predator.

Inter-annual comparison of diet and daily ration of larval jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus in the southern East China Sea

We describe and compare the feeding habits of Trachurus japonicus larvae from 2.4 to ,8-mm body length (BL) sampled during February to March of 4 consecutive years (2002–2005) in the primary spawning ground along the shelf-break region of the southern East China Sea. Dietary overlap based on Schoener’s index revealed high similarities (58–81%) among the 4 years. In larvae 5–8-mm BL, the diet was strongly dominated by calanoid copepodites and Oncaea spp. Larvae ,5-mm BL fed occasionally on copepod nauplii and gastropod larvae, as well as the above two main prey items. Feeding was mainly restricted to 0700–2100 h and feeding incidence was 78–90 and 100% in larvae ,5 and 5–8-mm BL, respectively, without inter-annual variation. The mean number of prey items per gut was positively correlated with larval size, and in each size class it did not significantly differ among the 4 years. Based on information on the feeding period (14 h), the mean number of prey items, and gut evacuation time (2 h), we estimated that larvae ,3-mm BL would consume 4–8 prey items day, and this increased greatly with larval growth, and larvae 7–8-mm BL consume 56–60 prey items larvae day. We estimated that 0.5% of the available prey items were consumed by larvae day in 2005 when both prey and larval abundance data were available, implying that the larvae have only limited effects on prey abundance.

Diet of mid-Atlantic Sowerby's beaked whales Mesoplondon bidens

The first mid-Atlantic diet of Mesoplodon beaked whales is presented, from ten Sowerby's Mesoplodon bidens stranded in the Azores region between 2002 and 2009. This doubles the worldwide number of stomachs sampled, and reveals new feeding habits for this species. The mean number of prey items per stomach was 85±89 (range: 12–238), with fish accounting for 99.3% and cephalopods contributing less than 1% of total prey. Fish otoliths from 15 families and cephalopod lower mandibles from three families were identified, representing 22 taxa. The diet consisted mainly of small mid-water fish, the most numerous being Diaphus sp., Lampanyctus sp. and Melamphaidae species. Myctophids were present in all stranded individuals, followed by Diretmidae, Melamphaidae and Opisthoproctus soleatus, while the remaining fish species were scarce or single occurrences. Consistency of diet in four different years reveals a divergence from all previous records in continental areas, where mainly neritic and shelf-break benthopelagic fish species have been reported. Mid-Atlantic Sowerby's beaked whales' showed dietary plasticity, feeding on the most abundant mid-water groups occurring between 0 and750 m. Trophic level from prey numerical frequency was estimated at 4.4±0.46.

Spatio-temporal trends in the food habits of age-0 lake whitefish

We compared diets of juvenile lake whitefish among six sites in Lake Michigan and one in Lake Superior during 2005 and 2006 to assess spatial and temporal patterns in food habits and evaluate if ontogenetic diet shifts occur that may influence growth and survival. A total of 262 and 496 juveniles were captured in 2005 and 2006, the majority of which were captured during June and July. Sites in southern Lake Michigan tended to have larger juveniles, and the smallest juveniles were observed at Naubinway, northern Lake Michigan, and Whitefish Point, Lake Superior. The mean number of prey items per stomach differed among sampling sites and years. Copepods were the most prevalent prey item, and were present in greater than 70% of juvenile stomachs from most sites. However, the percent by number of copepods decreased during July as chironomids and other benthic macroinvertebrates increased in number. There was a significant positive relationship between percent of benthic prey items and mean length of juvenile lake whitefish. A substantial increase in the percent of benthic prey consumed after 40 mm (total length) was observed and likely resulted from juvenile lake whitefish crossing a size threshold for benthic feeding relating to morphological changes (i.e., transition of mouth opening from terminal to sub-terminal) in addition to a potential increase in the availability of emergent macroinvertebrates. Timing of the transition to benthic feeding is likely regulated by the number of prey per juvenile and the overlap with peak emergence of important benthic aquatic invertebrates such as chironomids. A better understanding of these factors will increase our understanding of juvenile lake whitefish growth and survival, which are necessary for improving year-class strength predictions.

Feeding habits of megrim,Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis(Walbaum, 1792), from the central Adriatic Sea

Summary The feeding habits of the megrim, Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis, from the central Adriatic Sea were investigated with respect to fish size and seasons. Stomach contents of 510 specimens, 9.0–28.9 cm total length (TL), collected by bottom-trawl from 2004 to 2006 were analyzed. The percentage of 97 empty stomachs varied significantly with season (maximum during the winter, 32.1%; minimum during summer, 7.4%). The food composition suggests that the megrim is a carnivorous fish. Prey items identified in the stomachs belong to four major groups: Teleostei, Decapoda, Mysidacea and Cephalopoda. Teleosts were the most important (%IRI = 82.2), especially in fish larger than 14 cm TL. Mysidacea constituted the main prey for fish less than 14 cm TL. At the species level, the teleost Antonogadus megalokynodon (%IRI = 1.5) and decapod Processa canaliculata (%IRI = 0.9) were the most frequent prey. The mean weight of stomach contents increased significantly for fish larger than 14 cm TL, while the mean number of prey items did not differ significantly among size classes. Diet composition showed little seasonal variation; teleosts were the most important prey in all seasons, especially during spring. The lowest intensity of feeding recorded in winter could be related to the lower sea temperature and to the spawning period.

Feeding habits of horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (Linneaus, 1758), from the central Adriatic Sea

Summary The feeding habits of the horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus, from the central Adriatic Sea were investigated with respect to fish size and season. Stomach contents of 1200 specimens 12.9–37.6 cm total length (TL) taken at monthly intervals (January–December 1995) were analyzed. Of the total number of stomachs examined, 597 were empty (49.7%). This percentage varied significantly with season; the maximum number of empty stomachs was observed during January (80%) and February (82%) and a minimum number observed during July (15%) and August (19%). A total of 30 different prey species belonging to five major groups: Crustacea (Euphausiacea, Mysidacea, Decapoda), Cephalopoda, and Teleostei was identified in the stomach contents. Euphausiids were the most important ingested prey in all seasons as well as in small- and medium-size classes ( 30 cm TL individuals. The mean weight of stomach contents increased significantly for fish larger than 24.1 cm TL, while the mean number of prey items significantly declined in the large-size classes.

The Role of Terrestrial Invertebrates in Allopatric Brook Trout Headwater Streams in the Central Appalachian Mountains

ABSTRACT We investigated the importance of terrestrial organisms to brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) diet in six headwater streams in the Greenbriar River Watershed, West Virginia. The mean number of prey items and mean biomass per brook trout stomach decreased between July and September 2002. While the percent total number of terrestrial inputs (TI) was similar between July and September (45% to 46%), the percent total biomass of TI increased from almost 45% in July to nearly 75% in September. Dipteran larvae were highest in percent relative importance for both periods (35.6% and 45.5%), and lepidopteran larvae showed a large increase between July and September (7.7% to 29.6%). The large biomass of terrestrial organisms in headwater streams shows the importance of allocthonous inputs to instream food cycles.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEIOFAUNA IN FOOD WEBS: EVIDENCE FROM AN ACID STREAM

Seasonal food webs were constructed for the whole invertebrate assemblage (meio- and macrofauna) inhabiting Broadstone Stream (southeast England). High and uniform taxonomic resolution was applied in a dietary analysis, by resolving the complete benthic community to species, including the meiofauna, protozoa, and algae. Meiofauna accounted for 70% of all species in the summary web and for 73% and 63% of those in the summer/autumn and spring webs, respectively. The web structure changed between summer/autumn and winter/spring, due to differences in species composition. Many stream invertebrates fed on meiofauna and organic matter. Addition of meiofauna to the Broadstone web increased the percentage of intermediate species. Seasonal webs contained between 54 (spring 1997) and 86 (autumn 1996) interactive taxa and 229–378 trophic links. Marked differences in web complexity were found between the summer/autumn and winter/spring periods. Meiofauna accounted for most of the links in the web with a high proportion of intermediate–intermediate links in summer and autumn (0.421–0.440) and also of intermediate–basal links during winter and spring (0.509–0.628). In general, the summary web showed that intermediate species and basal resources were numerically dominant components in this stream. Web connectance rose slightly between summer (0.052) and winter (0.061) and increased further in spring (0.079), coinciding with a reduction in species number. A high fraction of detritivores was combined with omnivorous predators, many of which supplemented their diets with organic matter and, depending on season, with algae and invertebrate eggs. In addition, a wide range of feeding modes was found among meiofaunal species. The diversity of the Broadstone community suggests that the impact of top predators tends to dissipate. A low proportion of top predators in the web was combined with a low mean number of prey items, other than detritus, in their guts (large predators, 1.08–1.26 prey/individual gut; small-sized tanypods, 2.15–2.32 prey/individual gut). Dietary similarity was highest in autumn and winter 1996, and observed feeding links of the most common predatory species showed low overlap in their diets. The web architecture of this stream is reticulate and complex, and the patterns observed in these seasonal webs differed from previous stream webs, resulting in low connectance, high linkage density, long food chains, and a high proportion of intermediate species and of intermediate–intermediate links. The food web derived from Broadstone Stream clearly demonstrates that the meiofauna increases web complexity and thus, taking into account their functional diversity, may be crucial to the understanding of food web properties and ecosystems processes in streams.

The Importance of Meiofauna in Food Webs: Evidence from an Acid Stream

Seasonal food webs were constructed for the whole invertebrate assemblage (meio- and macrofauna) inhabiting Broadstone Stream (southeast England). High and uniform taxonomic resolution was applied in a dietary analysis, by resolving the complete benthic community to species, including the meiofauna, protozoa, and algae. Meiofauna accounted for 70% of all species in the summary web and for 73% and 63% of those in the summer/autumn and spring webs, respectively. The web structure changed between summer/autumn and winter/spring, due to differences in species composition. Many stream invertebrates fed on meiofauna and organic matter. Addition of meiofauna to the Broadstone web increased the percentage of intermediate species. Seasonal webs contained between 54 (spring 1997) and 86 (autumn 1996) interactive taxa and 229–378 trophic links. Marked differences in web complexity were found between the summer/autumn and winter/spring periods. Meiofauna accounted for most of the links in the web with a high proportion of intermediate–intermediate links in summer and autumn (0.421–0.440) and also of intermediate–basal links during winter and spring (0.509–0.628). In general, the summary web showed that intermediate species and basal resources were numerically dominant components in this stream. Web connectance rose slightly between summer (0.052) and winter (0.061) and increased further in spring (0.079), coinciding with a reduction in species number. A high fraction of detritivores was combined with omnivorous predators, many of which supplemented their diets with organic matter and, depending on season, with algae and invertebrate eggs. In addition, a wide range of feeding modes was found among meiofaunal species. The diversity of the Broadstone community suggests that the impact of top predators tends to dissipate. A low proportion of top predators in the web was combined with a low mean number of prey items, other than detritus, in their guts (large predators, 1.08–1.26 prey/individual gut; small-sized tanypods, 2.15–2.32 prey/individual gut). Dietary similarity was highest in autumn and winter 1996, and observed feeding links of the most common predatory species showed low overlap in their diets. The web architecture of this stream is reticulate and complex, and the patterns observed in these seasonal webs differed from previous stream webs, resulting in low connectance, high linkage density, long food chains, and a high proportion of intermediate species and of intermediate–intermediate links. The food web derived from Broadstone Stream clearly demonstrates that the meiofauna increases web complexity and thus, taking into account their functional diversity, may be crucial to the understanding of food web properties and ecosystems processes in streams.

Age, Growth and Feeding Habits of the Brown ComberSerranus hepatus(Linnaeus, 1758) on the Cretan Shelf

Forty-five samples of the brown comberSerranus hepatuswere collected during experimental surveys carried out on a monthly basis (August 1990 to August 1992) along the Cretan continental shelf. A total of 1268 specimens 31–140mm in total length were analysed. Growth was well described by both standard and seasonalized forms of the von Bertalanffy growth model and the computed parameters wereL∞;=152mm,k=0·36,t0=−0·57. Feeding intensity was high throughout the study period and varied significantly among the age classes of fish examined. Stomach content analysis revealed thatS. hepatusis carnivorous, feeding mainly on decapods. Diets did not vary seasonally; decapods were the most important prey throughout the year. However, the composition of the prey consumed varied considerably with predator age coupled with differences in mean prey sizes utilized by each age class. The mean weight of stomach contents increased significantly for older specimens, while the mean number of prey items decreased. Age-specific dietary selection was primarily a function of body size of the predator and appears to reduce intra-specific competition among the members of the different age classes. The results suggest thatS. hepatusplays an important trophic role as a macrophagic carnivorous species on the Cretan continental shelf.

Feeding and predation impact of two chaetognath species, Eukrohnia hamata and Sagitta gazellae , in the vicinity of Marion Island (southern ocean)

The predation impact of the two chaetognaths Eukrohnia hamata and Sagitta gazellae on mesozooplankton standing stock were investigated in three depth layers during two 24 h stations occupied in the vicinity of Marion Island in late austral summer (April/May) 1986. The zooplankton community at both stations was dominated by small copepods (Oithona spp., Microcalanus spp.), which accounted for >95% of total zooplankton abundance. Chaetognaths comprised 95% of the total chaetognath stock. The general trend in both species was decreasing abundance with increasing depth, which appeared to be correlated to the distribution of copepods (r2 = 0.45; P <0.05). Gut-content analysis showed that copepods (mainly Oithona spp., Calanus spp. and Rhincalanus gigas) and ostracods were the main prey of both species, accounting for 87 and 61% of the total number of prey in E. hamata and S.␣gazellae stomachs, respectively. In the guts of S.␣gazellae, pteropods (Limacina spp.) and chaetognaths were also well represented. The mean number of prey items (NPC) for E. hamata ranged from 0.02 to 0.06 prey individual−1 which corresponds to an individual feeding rate (Fr) of between 0.05 and 0.12 prey d−1. For S.␣gazellae, the NPC values were higher, varying between 0.04␣and 0.20 prey individual−1, or between 0.15 and 0.76 prey d−1. The daily predation impact of the two chaetognaths was estimated at between 0.3 and 1.2% of the copepod standing stock or between 7 and 16% of the daily copepod production. Predation by S. gazellae on chaetognaths accounted for up to 1.6% of the chaetognath standing stock per day.

Feeding habits and ontogenetic diet shift of the striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758

The feeding habits of the striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus on the Cretan shelf (north-eastern Mediterranean), in respect to season and fish size, were examined. Stomach contents of 446 specimens, 62–230 mm TL, collected by demersal trawl from August 1988 to August 1989, were analyzed. Feeding intensity was high throughout the study period and varied significantly among the size classes. Crustaceans (amphipods and decapods) predominated M. surmuletus diet. The composition of the prey ingested varied with predator size fish and cephalopods occurred exclusively in the diet of specimens larger than 161 mm TL. The mean weight of stomach contents increased significantly for fish larger than 171 mm TL, while the mean number of prey items did not differ among the size classes. Diets varied seasonally; decapods were more important in summer, whereas amphipods were more important during winter and spring. The results indicated that the red striped mullet fed on a narrow range of prey items and could be considered a specialist. The morphological characteristics and the foraging behaviour of M. surmuletus account for both prey type selection and the feeding patterns observed.

Ontogenetic Dietary Partitioning by Crocodylus johnstoni during the Dry Season

We examined size-related dietary patterns in a Queensland population of the Australian freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni). In three consecutive dry seasons, we stomach flushed crocodiles (n = 324) to record the numerical frequency and percent occurrence of prey items. Prey included spiders, aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, shrimp, fish, anurans, turtles, snakes, mammals, and birds. The diet of C. johnstoni showed ontogenetic shifts as the cranium broadened and once body size exceeded 60 cm SVL. With increasing crocodile size, the ingestion of spiders, insects, and anurans declined strongly whereas the consumption of fish, turtles, and snakes increased strongly. Shrimp were eaten at low and variable levels by all size classes of crocodile. The low overall prevalence of mammals and birds suggested that they were consumed opportunistically by the larger crocodiles. With increasing crocodile size, there were overall increases in prey richness and significant declines in realized dietary niche, dietary breadth, and mean number of prey items per crocodile. There were no significant changes in dietary diversity, evenness, or number of equally common prey species.

Summer Food Limitation Reduces Brook and Rainbow Trout Biomass in a Southern Appalachian Stream

We assessed salmonid production in summer in a second- and third-order montane stream in eastern Tennessee in 1987. We sampled three stream sections, one containing exclusively brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, one containing exclusively rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and a third with a mixture of both species. Population estimates for July and October 1987 revealed reductions in biomass over the 4-month period that ranged from 31 to 49%, whereas population densities declined by 32–46% during the same period. Total net production during the 4-month period was low and ranged from 0.38 to 0.45 g/m2. From June through September, the mean number of prey items per stomach ranged from 4.2 to 29.9, whereas the mean relative weight of stomach contents ranged from 0.12 to 1.34 mg dry weight per gram wet weight offish flesh. There was a strong positive correlation between the mean relative weight of stomach contents and the mean condition factor for a given date. Calculated energy intake was below the level necessary to provide energy for maintenance metabolism.

An Analysis of Prey Consumed by the Anuran, Leptodactylus fallax, From Dominica, West Indies

The prey consumed by Leptodactylus fallax were analyzed in regard to sex, body size, season of capture, prey weight, and prey length. The major food item, a cricket (Amphiacusta sp.), occurred in 59 percent of all frogs and comprised 21 percent of all items and 31 percent of total dry weight of food. Millipedes, coleopterans, and gastropods were also important groups of prey. Estimated mean caloric intake was higher in females (2.45 Kcal.) than in males (2.10 Kcal.) but was similar when adjusted for body weight. There was no appreciable difference between sexes in the mean length and mean number of prey items per frog. Frogs collected during the dry season contained more opilionids and vertebrates than those collected during the wet season; other types of prey were eaten in comparable amounts in both seasons. Mean prey length per frog in both sexes and mean dry weight of prey per frog, in females only, were positively, significantly correlated with mouth width; mean number of items per frog in both sexes was not. The largest frogs consumed a higher percentage of large items ( 40 mm) than smaller frogs, yet, in addition, consumed many small items (15 mm). Possible competition between large and small individuals and the lack of cannibalism are discussed. LEPTODACTYLUS FALLAX IS A TERRESTRIAL FROG now found only on the West Indian islands of Dominica and Montserrat. Little is known about its biology. Other than the original description under the name of L. dominicensis (Muller 1923), and subsequent re-naming (Muller 1925) since dominicensis was preoccupied for the genus Leptodactylus (Cochran 1923), the only mention of this species has been in faunal lists and in a paper by Westerman (1953:51) concerned with local extinctions. Leptodactylus fallax, known locally as the mountain chicken or crapaud, is a large frog; adults obtaining a mean snout-vent length (SVL) of 135 mm. It is closely related to the mainland species, L. pentadactylus, and is thought to have reached Dominica by rafting northward from Trinidad. On Dominica it is found in moist areas mainly on the leeward (westward) coast between the towns of Portsmouth in the north to Soufriere in the south, and from sea level to an altitude of approximately 310 m. On Montserrat it is found only at higher elevations (Blankenship, pers. comm., and pers. obs.). This report forms a portion of a life history study and is concerned with the food habits of L. fallax; a report on its reproductive cycle and growth is in prepara-