Document of bibliographic reference 396403

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Diet and feeding strategy of the blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in Moroccan waters of the Strait of Gibraltar

Abstract

The diet composition of 756 specimens of blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) was studied in Moroccan waters of the Strait of Gibraltar through a random and monthly sampling of commercial catches landed in the Port of Tangier (35°47′N-5°48′W). Feeding activity of P. bogaraveo was studied based on the vacuity index (%VI) and the total fullness index (TFI). Data analysis of the stomach contents was made by four methods: frequency of occurrence, the numerical abundance, the gravimetric composition and the graphical method. The food coefficient (Q) and the index of relative importance (IRI) were used for prey classification. In order to detect variability factors in the diet of P. bogaraveo, a non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance (NP-MANOVA) applied to four factors (sex, season, size and sexual maturity) was carried out. Results showed that P. bogaraveo is a carnivorous predator that feeds mainly on crustaceans and fish, but also on cephalopods, echinoderms, algae and sponges. Crustaceans and fish were the two preferred prey, while other prey groups were accidental. The classification of prey revealed that crustaceans and fish formed the main prey (IRI>200), cephalopods were secondary prey (IRI=23.3), while the other groups of prey were occasional (0.21<IRI<8.89). The trophic intensity was greater in young individuals (23-28 cm TL) and its maximum was recorded in autumn and spring coinciding with the end of the reproduction period. The diet of P. bogaraveo showed a significant variation with ontogenetic development (juveniles/adults) and according to the seasons with more prey diversification in juveniles and during spring. Graphical analysis revealed that P. bogaraveo has a double feeding strategy: specialization strategy for crustaceans and generalization strategy for fish and other preys.

Bibliographic citation

Khoukh, M.; Berday, N.; Benziane, M.; Idrissi, M.M. (2024). Diet and feeding strategy of the blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in Moroccan waters of the Strait of Gibraltar. AACL Bioflux 17(5): 1920-1934

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true

Access rights

open access

Is accessible for free

true