Diet composition of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and flat sardinella (Sardinella maderensis) in the south of Atlantic Moroccan coast

Abstract

The biological interactions between species are not limited only to trophic relationships; parasitism and diseases also occur. However, predator-prey relationships have a dominant role. In fact, natural mortality can vary considerably with predation, famine, and disease, but predation seems to be the dominant factor (Daan, 1989). Studies on diet composition are crucial in community ecology considering that the use of resources by organisms has a major influence among population interactions within a community (Mequilla and Campos, 2007). Analysis of stomach contents could provide helpful information concerning the position of the fishes in the food web of their environment and estimation of trophic levels (Pauly and Christensen, 2000; Post et al., 2000). In addition, the quality and quantity of food are among primordial factors that ARTICLE INFO

Parasites of Sardinella maderensis (Lowe, 1838) (Actinopterygii: Clupeidae) and Their Potential as Biological Tags for Stock Identification along the Coast of West Africa

“…This may be due to the fact that larger S. maderensis consume greater numbers of the intermediate prey organisms of this parasite, [ 45 , 46 ]. Both juvenile and adult S. maderensis show a preference for crustaceans [ 47 , 48 ].…”

Variation in the intestinal morphology and biometric characteristics of <i>Sardinella</i> <i>aurita</i> and <i>Sardinella</i> <i>maderensis</i> at James Town in Ghana

“…The marine pelagic fish species Sardinella spp. are widely dispersed throughout the world's tropical and subtropical seas (Baali et al, 2020). Millions of people living along the coast in Ghana depend on the Sardinella fishery for their food and economic stability (Arizi et al, 2022).…”

“…That makes S. aurita and S. maderensis essential economic species and updating of applicable biological information of this genus is necessary. Despite the importance of Sardinella spp., their biomass over the past years have been fluctuating (Baali et al,2017;Baali et al, 2020) hence the need to conduct studies to generate adequate data for their management on sustainable basis.…”