Diel feeding pattern of Liocarcinus Depurator (Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Ria De Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain)
1991; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 33; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/00785326.1991.10429737
ISSN0078-5326
AutoresJuan Freire, Luís Fernández, Eduardo González-Gurriarán,
Tópico(s)Marine Biology and Ecology Research
ResumoAbstract This paper examines the diel feeding pattern of Liocarcinus depurator in an area of intensive mussel raft culture, the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain), by means of stomach content analysis. This species did not show a clearly defined feeding pattern in the culture areas. In the non-culture areas night samples had higher repletion values than day samples (P < 0.05). There were no important variations in diet composition and diversity found during the day, but there were variations between the stations due to the food contribution provided by the rafts. Feeding pattern results should be considered in part as a consequence of the gastric evacuation process, which is slower in the prey that predominates in the raft stations. On the other hand, the more clearly defined rhythm found in non-raft culture stations may be attributed to the fact that food is less abundant, which may cause changes in the foraging pattern.
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