Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research (Jan 2011)
Hábitos alimentarios de las larvas de Engraulis anchoita (Hubbs & Marini, 1935) en las aguas costeras de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Feeding habits of Engraulis anchoita (Hubbs & Marini, 1935) larvae in coastal waters off Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Abstract
Se analizó la dieta de las larvas de Engraulis anchoita (Hubbs & Marini, 1935) a partir de muestras colectadas, una vez al mes, en una estación costera permanente de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina (Estación EPEA) durante el período marzo 2000-abril 2001. Se examinó un total de 869 individuos. Los huevos (54,05%), nauplios de copépodos (10,13%) y copepoditos (11,82%)) constituyeron las presas dominantes. El índice alimentario varió entre 1,69 y 40,48%>, sin mostrar un claro patrón estacional. Las relaciones entre el tamaño del depredador y el tamaño de la presa fueron determinadas y en todos los casos, los resultados mostraron correlaciones significativas (P The diet of Engraulis anchoita larvae (Hubbs & Marini, 1935) was analyzed using samples collected once a month at a permanent coastal station off Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (Station EPEA), from March 2000 to April 2001. A total of 869 individuals were examined. Eggs (54.05%), copepod nauplii (10.13%o), and copepodites (11.82%) were the dominant prey Ítems. The feeding índex varied from 1.69 to 40.48%o, without showing a clear seasonal pattern. Correlations between predator size and prey size were determined and the results showed significant relationships (P < 0.01) in all cases. In spring and summer, the larvae were small in size, corresponding to first-feeding larvae (< 6.9 mm length) and preyed mainly on small organisms from < 45 to 134 um width. In autumn and winter, the size of the larvae increased (7.0-19.9 mm length), and they fed mainly on larger prey, from 135 to 279 um width.
