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A new approach to graphical analysis of feeding strategy from stomach contents data—modification of the Costello (1990) method
Author(s) -
Amundsen P.A.,
Gabler H.M.,
Staldvik F. J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1996.tb01455.x
Subject(s) - foraging , biology , representation (politics) , niche , competition (biology) , predation , computer science , biological system , ecology , politics , political science , law
A modification of the graphical Costello method is proposed for the analysis of stomach contents data. The new method allows prey importance, feeding strategy and the interand intra‐individual components of niche width to be explored using graphical presentation. The analysis is based on a two‐dimensional representation of prey‐specific abundance and frequency of occurrence of the different prey types in the diet. The paper describes the new method and the parameters therein, and also present some examples of the utilization of the method. The method may be particularly well‐suited for the examination of predictions made from optimal foraging, competition and niche theories.