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Email the author (Login required) Feeding habits of Engraulis anchoita (Hubbs & Marini, 1935) larvae in coastal waters off Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol39-issue1-fulltext-2
Abstract
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%), and copepodites (11.82%) were the dominant prey items. The feeding index varied from 1.69 to 40.48%, 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 µm 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 µm width.
