Spatial Variation in Feeding Habits and Carbon Source of Cutlassfish <I>Trichiurus japonicus</I> in the Western Seto Inland Sea, Japan

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  • 西部瀬戸内海に生息するタチウオ <I>Trichiurus japonicus</I> の食性および炭素源の空間的変化
  • Spatial Variation in Feeding Habits and Carbon Source of Cutlassfish Trichiurus japonicus in the Western Seto Inland Sea, Japan

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Abstract

To identify spatial variations in the feeding habits of Trichiurus japonicus in the western Seto Inland Sea, Japan, we examined the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and the stomach contents of 256 specimens collected from four different sea areas. Stomach content analysis showed that the feeding habits of T. japonicus differed among sea areas, which may have been caused by spatial and temporal bias in the stomach contents. Additionally, trophic levels based on stable isotope analysis and the expected trophic niche by stomach content analysis did not agree. Greater sampling effort is needed to understand the feeding habits of fish considering spatio-temporal variations in the stomach contents of specimens. Using stable isotope analysis, we detected variations in the efficiencies of benthic and pelagic trophic carbon pathways, which were not detected by stomach content analysis, among sea areas. This result coincides with that of a previous study for primary production structure in the western Seto Inland Sea. Stable isotope analysis helps us effectively understand the feeding habits of fish with fewer efforts. These results will probably be useful in understanding the feeding ecology of T. japonicus.

Journal

  • Aquaculture Science

    Aquaculture Science 62 (3), 243-251, 2014

    Japanese Society for Aquaculture Science

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