Size-related shifts in dietary composition ofCentropomus parallelus(Perciformes: Centropomidae) in an estuarine ecosystem of the southeastern coast of Brazil

Abstract

Size-related and seasonal evaluation of the dietary composition of fat snook (Centropomus parallelus Poey 1860) in the upper sector of an estuary of the southeastern coast of Brazil were carried out based on stomach analyses of specimens ranging from 40 to 170 mm standard length. Results reveal that C. parallelus is a carnivorous species feeding mainly on benthic crustaceans. Relatively high stomach replenishment suggests that this environment is an important feeding ground for fat snook juveniles. Multivariate analyses indicated that predator size effect is significantly more important than seasonal variation in determining dietary composition. Predator length was associated with increased consumption of palaemonid shrimps (Macrobrachium spp.) and grapsid crabs, and decreased foraging on tanaids (Kalliapseudes schubarti), thus showing a preference shift from smaller to larger prey. Predator length was also positively associated with an increase in the stomach repletion index. Additionally, allometric growth of both gape and head were consistently correlated with this ontogenetic dietary transition, suggesting that such changes might be related to an individualÕs ability to capture and consume larger, more elusive prey. The digestive tube is short and grows isometrically, which is in accordance with the carnivorous habit of this estuarine fish and its maintenance through ontogeny.

Structure and diversity of fishes in a freshwater and coastal subtropical lagoon

“…This species is regarded primarily as a migratory species, with high habitat plasticity, as it occurs in both freshwater and estuarine habitats along the coast of Brazil (Mai et al, 2014). The high valued commercial species, C. parallelus, was also present and is known to use estuaries and rivers at different stages of its life cycle (Daros et al, 2016), but natural stocks are showing signs of reduction, with populations in the south-east considered threatened (Feltrin-Contente et al, 2009). In Peri Lagoon, however, C. parallelus seems to be safe, as it was captured in all sites and samples in this study.…”

Habitat residency and movement patterns of Centropomus parallelus juveniles in a subtropical estuarine complex

“…it migrates between fresh water and salt water during a portion of its life cycle (Riede, ; Silvano et al ., ; Fortes et al ., ). It has a feeding regime mainly based on fishes, insects and crustaceans, although early juveniles are also zooplanktivorous (Corrêa & Uieda, ; Alvarez‐Lajonchère & Tsuzuki, ; Feltrin‐Contente et al ., ). It is a protandric hermaphrodite, which means that individuals become sexually mature first as males and later undergo sex inversion to females as they grow (Alvarez‐Lajonchère & Tsuzuki, ).…”

Feeding habits of juvenile Centropomus robalito (Centropomidae: Actinopterygii) in Barra de Navidad lagoon, Mexican Central Pacific

“…La coincidencia de estos datos con nuestros resultados resulta alta. Feltrin-Contente et al (2009) investigaron la dieta de ejemplares jóvenes (40-170 mm de longitud estándar) de Centropomus parallelus en un estuario del sudeste de Brasil. Estos autores encontraron una amplia dominancia de los crustáceos en la dieta y detectaron un cambio ontogénico claro en la composición de la misma, con un incremento en la representación de palemóni-dos (Macrobrachium spp.)…”

“…Se ha planteado que en las especies del género Centropomus la talla de los organismos es un indicador de la composición de la dieta, ya que las tallas menores son consumidores más activos de presas de menor tamaño como camarones, cangrejos y peracáridos y los organismos de tallas mayores disminuyen el consumo de invertebrados pequeños y se alimentan principalmente de peces y cangrejos, mostrando una tendencia a mayor especificidad en la captura de presas (Guevara, Sánchez, Rosas, Mascaro, & Brito, 2007;Feltrin-Contente et al, 2009). Este patrón general se confirma con los resultados de este trabajo.…”

“…Los róbalos están clasificados como depredadores oportunistas que se alimentan principalmente de cangrejos, camarones y peces asociados a los estuarios y a la zona bentónica costera (Fischer et al, 1995;Camacho-Peña & Velkiss-Gadea, 2005;Bohórquez-Herrera, 2009;Feltrin-Contente, Freitas, & Gadig, 2009;Franco-Moreno, 2011;Dutka-Gianelli, 2014). Los estuarios y lagunas costeras proporcionan a los róbalos recursos indispensables para su desarrollo como alimento, refugio y protección de otros depredadores.…”