The opportunistic sense: The diet of Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi reflects changes in prey availability
- Alonso, Rosana B.
- Romero, Maria Alejandra
- Ocampo Reinaldo, Matías
- Bustelo, Pablo E.
- Medina, Alonso I.
- Gonzalez, Raúl
DOIAbstract
Changes in the abundance of some species in the San Matías Gulf (north Patagonia, Argentina) have been observed in recent years; in particular increases in crustaceans populations that could be influencing the trophic relationships and food web structure. The Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi has been the main demersal resource that supports a fishery since 1971. Given that M. hubbsi is a generalist and opportunistic predator, its diet from the perspective of specific composition and feeding strategy was evaluated. Fourteen species were identified belonging to four zoological groups (3 fishes, 4 molluscs, 6 crustaceans and 1 bryozoan). The most commonly consumed prey was the lobster krill Munida gregaria (index of relative importance -%IRI- ...
Add to ORKG