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Temporal variations in the diet of pearly razorfish Xyrichtys novacula (Osteichthyes: Labridae)
Author(s) -
Castriota L.,
Falautano M.,
Finoia M. G.,
Campo D.,
Scarabello M. P.,
Andaloro F.
Publication year - 2010
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.1095-8649.2010.02599.x
Subject(s) - biology , predation , pelagic zone , benthic zone , crustacean , fishery , phytoplankton , abundance (ecology) , ecology , zoology , nutrient
The diet of pearly razorfish Xyrichtys novacula , caught monthly along the shores of the Island of Lampedusa, appeared to be mainly composed of crustaceans, followed by colonial ascidians, molluscs and polychaetes. Among prey, sand dwellers and phanerogam‐associated species were recorded. In winter months, the diet was characterized by a small number of prey items, dominated by colonial ascidians, while in spring and summer a wider prey array was recorded. Dietary indices show that X. novacula do not strictly exploit benthic prey but also pelagic organisms, such as copepods. This feeding behaviour reached its peak in March and October, when the abundance of primary consumers was at its highest after phytoplankton blooms. Furthermore, X. novacula caught prey organisms according to their availability and seasonal patterns during their life cycles, irrespective of fish size.