Stomach content analysis in ariids: Insights of three catfish species from a marine protected area

Author(s)

de Almeida, Adriana Batista ; Henrique, Barbara Vitoria Rodrigues ; Azevedo, Juliana de Souza

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE; v. 75, p. 13-pg., 2024-10-01.

Abstract

Stomach content analysis in fish provides information about the diet, different trophic groups in the ichthyofauna and concerning the transfer and energy obtaining. The aquatic environment become receptacle for emerging pollutant such as plastic, that become available to the biota. The goal of this study was to describe the feeding of the three catfish species A. luniscutis, C. spixii and G. genidens, in a sexual and spatial approach, considering that are important catfish from a Marine Protected Area in Brazil (Cananeia-Iguape Estuarine-Lagoon Complex - CIELC), subjected to differential anthropogenic disturbances. The analyzed species had a diverse diet, with the occurrence of Crustacea fragments of several groups (e.i.: amphipoda, decapods, mysidae, palinura, caridea, penaeidae, stomatopoda and brachyura), Algae, Polychaeta, Ophiuroidea, Mollusca, vegetable matter, and fish fragments (e.i. otoliths, eggs, scale, fins, and fish debris). The food items of Cathorops spixii were composed mainly of Polychaeta, vegetable matter, and Crustacea. On the other hand, the main food items of Aspistor luniscutis were fish fragments, algae, and vegetable matter and in Genidens genidens predominated Crustacea and vegetable matter. Possible plastic fragments were found and had filamentous format with blue, red, and black color variations. The data of this research contribute to the promotion of knowledge about feeding in three species of catfish. Furthermore, it highlights the pollution of an environmental marine protection area. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/16485-7 - Biogeochemical and socio-environmental study of coastal ecosystems: contribution to the assessment of sustainability and environmental impact (BIOGEOQUIS-ECOS)
• Grantee: Elisabete de Santis Braga da Graça Saraiva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants