engleski

Feeding habits of the striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758, in the eastern central Adriatic

The feeding habits of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus in the eastern central Adriatic, in respect of season and fish size, were examined. Stomach contents of 348 specimens, 58 to 250 mm TL, collected by beach seine (called migavica) from July 1993 to June 1994, were analysed. Feeding intensity was high throughout th estudy period and varied significantly between the size classes. Mysidacea predominated in the mullet's diet. The composition of the prey ingested varied with predator size. Fish and cephalopods occurred exclusively in the diet of specimens larger than 185 mm TL. Diets varied sesonally. Aphipods were the most important prey group in winter and spring. Decapod crustaceans predominated during the summer, Mysidacea during the autumn. The results indicated that the striped red mullet fed on narrow range of prey items and could be considered a specialist.

Mullus surmuletus; feeding habits; ontogeny; central Adriatic

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