Making a living in Red Pond: A snapshot of the diet of a population of Aplochiton zebra (Teleostei: Galaxiidae) at the Falkland Islands
2005; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 32; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/03014223.2005.9518394
ISSN1175-8821
Autores Tópico(s)Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
ResumoAbstract Diet of landlocked Aplochiton zebra (Galaxiidae) in Red Pond, Falkland Islands, was studied from 30 fish captured by seine net on 9 November 1999. Most fish had stomachs tightly packed with either fine, white sand or black organic debris, or both. Small numbers of chironomid pupae and larvae, gastropods, and amphipods were present in most fish. The range of food items was low, and nearly half the fish stomachs contained only one food type. One exceptional fish contained 75 amphipods. Intestines were empty or also contained sand and/or black organic debris. Red Pond was highly turbid at the time of sampling and, given the Falkland Islands weather, may be turbid most of the time. These data, if typical of Red Pond zebra trout diet, suggest difficulty finding food visually. Acanthocephalan parasites were common in the intestines (mean > 11 parasites and up to 40 per fish). The presence of acanthocephalans may relate to the role of amphipods in the diet.
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