[Feeding habits of the fish Lagodon rhomboides (Perciformes: Sparidae) at the coastal lagoon of Chelem, Yucatán, México].
Stomach contents of Lagodon rhomboides, the most abundant fish species from seagrass beds in Chelem Lagoon, Yucatan, Mexico, were analyzed. The specimens were collected using a beach seine at eight stations distributed randomly in the lagoon during July, September and November 2002. The trophic components were analyzed by means of the relative abundance (%A) and frequency of occurrence (FO) indices. The trophic similarity between different ontogenetic stages was determined using the Bray-Curtis Index. A total of 90 stomach contents were analyzed. This species is omnivorous, including vegetal and animal material and has a wide trophic spectrum with 58 alimentary items. Trophic ontogenetic variation was significant with a transition from one feeding stage to the next. Small individuals (4.0 -8.0 cm LE) preferentially consume plankton preys and microcrustaceans, while in bigger sizes, the macrocrustaceans, annelids and macrophytes were the main food.
Laboratorio de Taxonomia y Ecología de Peces, CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Mérida, km 6 antigua carretera a Progreso, AP 73 Cordemex, 97310 Mérida, Yucatán, México. walterg11@yahoo.com.mx
Walter Gabriel
WG
Canto-Maza
María Eugenia
ME
Vega-Cendejas
D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005618:Fresh Water; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D008800:Mexico; D010473:Perciformes / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*