Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary preference and feeding ecology of Bloch’s gizzard shad, Nematalosa nasus

  • Published:
Journal of Ichthyology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dietary preference and feeding ecology of Nematalosa nasus (Bloch 1795) in Chilika lagoon, India, was investigated through analysis of prey items in the guts and that in the habitat. Of the 230 taxa identified from the habitat in plankton samples from the lagoon, thirty five taxa were recorded from the guts of the fish. Index of Relative Importance showed 80% of the food comprised of microplankton groups viz. Foraminifera (35.79%), Chlorophyceae (20.52%), Bacillariophyaceae (12.30%), Cyanophyaceae (6.53%), other plant matter (3.65%) and Euglenophyaceae (0.76%). The fish is a generalized feeder on microplankton, with specialization on foraminiferans and Chlorophyaceae in Chilika Lagoon. Diet composition varied significantly with seasons. Prey type selectivity showed, preference to Gyrosigma sp. (αi—0.98, ei—0.85), Synedra sp. (αi—0.47, ei—0.71), Tabellaria sp. (αi—0.58, ei—0.47) and Ulothrix sp. (αi—0.06, ei—0.34) during monsoon and post-monsoonseason. Ammoniabeccarii (αi—0.77 ei—0.98), Campylodiscus sp. (αi—0.04, ei—0.17) and Microspora sp. (αi—0.18, ei—0.76), were selected during pre-monsoon period, which is also the peak breeding period of the fish.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Dubakel, A.Y., Species structure of fishes in the Shatt Al-Basrah Canal and their feeding relationships, MSc Thesis, Basra, Iraq: Coll. Agric., Univ. Basrah, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amundsen, P.A., Gabler, H.M., and Staldvik, F.J., A new approach to graphical analysis of feeding strategy from stomach contents data—modification of the Costello (1990) method, J. Fish Biol., 1996, vol. 4, pp. 607–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Annandale, N. and Kemp, S., The fauna of Chilika Lake, Mem. Indian Mus., 1915, vol. 5, pp. 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atapattu, U.G.A.M.K.S.S. and Nissanka, C., Present status of fisheries in Rekawa Lagoon, Sri Lanka, in Proc. Third Science Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, 2005, vol. 3, pp. 42–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balachandran, S., Rahmani, R.A., and Sathiyaselvam, P., Habitat evaluation of Chilika Lake with special reference to birds as bio-indicators, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswra, 2005, pp. 1–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooker, R.M., Jones, G.P., and Munday, P.L., Prey selectivity affects reproductive success of a corallivorous reef fish, Oecologia, 2012, vol. 17, pp. 409–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buddington, R.K. and Diamond, J.M., Aristotle revisited: The function of pyloric caeca in fish, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1986, vol. 83, pp. 8012–8014.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Calbet, A., The trophic roles of micro zooplankton in marine systems, ICES J. Mar. Sci., 2008, vol. 65, pp. 325–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calbet, A., and Landry, M.R., Phytoplankton growth, microzooplankton grazing and carbon recycling in marine systems, Limnol. Oceanogr., 2004, vol. 49, pp. 51–57.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CDA (Chilika Development Authority), Annual Report, 2011-12, 2012-13. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. http://www.chilika.com/documents/publication_1395326938.pdf., 2013, Cited January 19, 2015.

  • Chen, C.H., Checklist of the Fishes of Penghu, FRI Spec. Publ., Taiwan: Fish. Res. Inst., 2004, no. 4.

  • Chesson, J., Measuring preference in selective predation, Ecology, 1978, vol. 59, pp. 211–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chesson, J., The estimation and analysis of preference and its relationship to foraging models, Ecology, 1983, vol. 64, pp. 1297–1304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R. and Gorley, R.N., PRIMER Version 6: User Manual/Tutorial PRIMER-E, Plymouth, UK, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conlu, P.V., Guide to Philippine flora and fauna, in Fishes, Quezon: Nat. Resour. Manage. Center, 1986, vol. 9.

  • Costello, M.J., Predator feeding strategy and prey importance: a new graphical analysis, J. Fish. Biol., 1990, vol. 36, pp. 261–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels, R.J.R., Freshwater Fishes of Peninsular India, Hyderabad: Cambridge Univ. Press India, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferry, L.A. and Caillet, G.M., Sample size and data analysis: are we characterizing and comparing diet properly? in Proc. Symp. “Feeding Ecology and Nutrition in Fish,” MacKinlay, D. and Shearer, K., Eds., Vancouver: Am. Fish. Soc., 1996, pp. 71–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • FishBase, Version 10/2015, Froese, R. and Pauly, D., Eds., 2015. http://www.fishbase.org

  • Gaughan, D.J. and Potter, I.C., Analysis of diet and feeding strategies within an assemblage of estuarine larval fish, Fish. Bull., 1997, vol. 95, pp. 722–731.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerking, S.D., Feeding Ecology of Fish, New York: Academic, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, O., Ammonia beccarii, in World Foraminifera Database, 2014. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=112849. Cited December 22, 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoggarth, D.D., Mees, C.C., O’Neill, C., Hindson, J. and Krishna, M., A Guide to Fish Stock Assessment Using the FMSP Tools, London: Mar. Res. Ass. Group, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussain, N.A., Naiama, A.K. and Al-Hassan, L.A.J., Annotated check list of the fish fauna of Khor Al-Zubair, north west of the Arabian Gulf, Iraq, Acta Ichthyol. Piscat., 1988, vol. 18, pp. 17–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hynes, H.B.N., The food of freshwater sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus and Pygosteus pungitius) with a review of methods used in studies of the food of fishes, J. Anim. Ecol., 1950, vol. 19, pp. 36–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyslop, E.J., Stomach content analysis: a review of methods and their applications, J. Fish Biol., 1980, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 411–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jayalakshmy, K.V. and Rao, K.K., Frequency distribution of Foraminifera in the Chilka Lake, J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., 2001, vol. 43, pp. 65–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeyaseelan, M.J.P. and Krishnamurthy, K., Role of Mangrove forests of Pichavaram as Fish nurseries, Proc. Indian Nat. Sci. Acad., 1980, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 48–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jhingran, V.G. and Natrajan, A.V., CIFRI, Reports on the Fisheries of the Chilika Lake (1957–1960), Bull. Central Inland Fish. Res. Inst., 1963, vol. 1, p. 50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jobling, M., Environmental Biology of Fishes, London: Chapman and Hall, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S. and Sujansinghani, K.H., Fish and fisheries of the Chilka Lake with statistics of fish catches for the years 1948–1950, Indian J. Fish., 1954, vol. 1, pp. 256–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juanes, F., Buckel, J.A. and Scharf, F.S., Feeding ecology of piscivorous fishes, in Handbook of Fish Biology and Fisheries, Vol. 1: Fish Biology, Hart, P.J.B. and Reynolds, J.D., Eds., Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowtal, G.V., A note on the early development of “Balangi” Nematalosus nasus (Bloch) from the Chilka Lake, J. Inland Fish. Soc. India, 1970, vol. 2, pp. 155–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowtal, G.V., Studies on the juvenile fish stock of Chilika Lake, Indian J. Fish., 1976, vol. 23, pp. 31–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lévêque, C., Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation: The Freshwater Fish of Tropical Africa, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lima-Junior, S.E. and Goitein, R., A new method for the analysis of fish stomach contents, Acta Scientiarum, 2001, vol. 23, pp. 421–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Majeed, S.A., Biology of the gizzard shad Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795) in Khawr Al-Zubair, South Iraq, MSc Thesis, Basra, Iraq: Univ. Basrah, Mar. Sci. Center, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manly, B.F.J., Miller, P. and Cook, L.M., Analysis of a selective predation experiment, Am. Nat., 1974, vol. 106, pp. 719–736.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, B.E., Seasonal and annual variations in the abundance of the clupeid Limnothrissa miodon in Lake Kivu, J. Fish Biol., 1991, vol. 39, pp. 641–648.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R.A., Hammerschlag, N., Collier, R.S., and Fallows, C., Predatory behavior of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) at Seal Island, South Africa, J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., 2005, vol. 85, pp. 1121–1135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohsin, A.K.M. and Ambak, M.A., Marine Fishes and Fisheries of Malaysia and Neighboring Countries, Serdang, Malaysia: Univ. Pertanian Malaysia Press, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motta, P.J. and Wilga, C.D., Advances in the study of feeding behaviors, mechanisms, and mechanics of sharks, Environ. Biol. Fish., 2001, vol. 60, pp. 131–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muto, E.Y., Soares, L.S.H., and Goitein, R., Food resource utilization of the skates Rioraja agassizzi (Muller and Henle, 1841) and Psammobatis extent (Garman, 1913) on the continental shelf of Ubatuba, southeastern Brazil, Rev. Bras. Biol., 2001, vol. 61, pp. 217–238.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, J.S., Fishes of the World, New York: Wiley, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newell, G.E. and Newell, R.C., Marine Plankton—A Practical Guide, London: Hutchinson, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ni, I.H. and Kwok, K.Y., Marine fish fauna in Hong Kong waters, Zool. Stud., 1999, vol. 38, pp. 130–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrander, G.K., The Laboratory Fish, San Diego: Academic, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parimala, S., Estuarine Gizzard Shad Nematalosa nasus (Bloch) without pelvic fins, Indian J. Fish., 1983, vol. 30, pp. 167–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patnaik, S., Observations of the seasonal fluctuation of plankton in the Chilika Lake, Indian J. Fish., 1971, vol. 20, pp. 43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauly, D., The Fishes and Their Ecology, in Small-Scale Fisheries of San Miguel Bay, Philippines: Biology and Stock Assessment, ICLARM Tech. Rep. no. 7, Pauly, D. and Mines, A.N., Eds., Manila, Philippines: Int. Center Living Aquat. Resour. Manage., 1982, pp. 15–33.

  • Pepin, P. and Penney, R., Feeding by a larval fish community: impact on zooplankton, Mar. Ecol.: Progr. Ser., 2000, vol. 204, pp. 199–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pike, I.H. and Jackson, A., Fish oil: production and use now and in the future, Lipid Technol., 2010, vol. 2, pp. 59–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinkas, L., Olipahnt, M.S. and Iverson, I.L.K., Food habits of albacore, blue fin tuna, and bonito in Californian waters, Calif. Dep. Fish Game Fish Bull., 1971, vol. 152, pp. 1–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prescott, G.W., Algae of the Western Great Lakes Area with an Illustrated Key to the Genera of Desmids and Freshwater Diatoms, Brown, W.C., Ed., Dubuque, 1961.

  • Pinnegar, J.K., Trenkel, V.M., Dawson, W.A., Du Buit, M.H. and Tidd, A.N., Does diet in Celtic Sea fishes reflect prey availability? J. Fish Biol., 2003, vol. 23, pp. 197–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajan, S., Pattanaik, S. and Bose, N.C., New records of fishes from Chilika Lake, J. Zool. Soc. India, 1968, vol. 20, pp. 80–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rama Rao, K.V., Pisces, in Wetland Ecosystem Series 1: Fauna of the Chilika Lake, Calcutta: Zool. Surv. India, 1995, pp. 367–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsar Advisory Mission, India, 2001, no. 50. http://archive.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-documents-rams-ram50/main/ramsar/1-31-112%5E22934_4000_0. Cited December 22, 2014.

  • Rao, K.K., Jayalakshmy, K.V., Venugopal, P.T., Gopalakrishnan, C. and Rajagopal, M.D., Foraminifera from the Chilka Lake on the east coast of India, J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., 2000, vol. 42, pp. 47–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riede, K., Global register of migratory species—from global to regional scales, in Final Report of the R and D-Project 808 05 081, Bonn: Fed. Agency Nat. Conserv, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safina, C. and Burger, J., Prey dynamics and the breeding phenology of common terns (Sterna hirundo), Auk, 1988, vol. 105, pp. 720–726.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, T.K., Commercial fishes of Calcutta and adjoining fish markets (economic aspects, scientific, local, and English names), Seafood Exp. J., 1987, vol. 19, pp. 5–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shoji, J. and Tanaka, M., Distribution, feeding condition and growth of Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) larvae in the Seto Inland Sea, Fish. Bull., 2005, vol. 103, pp. 371–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpfendorfer, C.A., Heupel, M.R., White, W.T. and Dulvy, N.K., The importance of research and public opinion to conservation management of sharks and rays: a synthesis, Mar. Freshwater Res., 2011, vol. 62, pp. 518–527.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srichandan, S., Baliarsingh, S.K., Panigrahy, R.C., and Sahu, K.C., A case study on summer distribution of zooplankton in Chilika Lagoon, east coast of India, Int. J. Life Sci. Tech., 2012, vol. 5, pp. 29–36.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Washington, DC: Am. Publ. Health Assoc., Am. Water Works Assoc., Water Environ. Fed., 2005.

  • Stergiou, K.I. and Karpouzi, V.S., Feeding habits and trophic levels of Mediterranean fish, Rev. Fish Biol. Fish., 2002, vol. 11, pp. 217–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taher, M.M., Specialization, trophic breadth and diet overlap of thirteen small marine fish species from Shatt Al-Basrah Canal, Southern Iraq, Marsh Bull., 2010, vol. 5, pp. 118–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talwar, P.K. and Kacker, R.K., Commercial Sea Fishes of India, Calcutta: Zool. Surv. India, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomas, C.R., Identifying Marine Phytoplankton, San Diego, CA: Academic, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, H.B. and Whipple, G.C., Freshwater Biology, New York: Wiley, 1959, pp. 589–596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wetherbee, B.M. and Cortés, E., Food consumption and feeding habits, in Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, Carrier, J.C., Musick, J.A., and Heithaus, M.R., Eds., Bocca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2004, pp. 225–246.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead, P.J.P., FAO Species Catalogue, Vol. 1: Clupeoid Fishes of the World (Suborder Clupeioidei). An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of the Herring, Sardines, Pilchards, Sprats, Shads, Anchovies, and Wolf-Herring, Part 1: Chirocentridae Clupeidae and Pristigaste, FAO Fish. Syn., Rome: Food Agric. Org., 1985, vol. 125, pp. 1–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Windsor, M.L., Fish Meal, Department of Trade and Industry Torry Research, Torry Adv. Note no. 49, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winemiller, K.O., Agostinho, A.A., and Caramaschi, E.P., Fish ecology, in Tropical Stream Ecology, Dudgeon, D., Eds., San Diego: Academic, 2008, pp. 107–146.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700120, India

    M. Mukherjee, V. R. Suresh, R. K. Manna, D. Panda & A. P. Sharma

  2. Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, 700102, India

    M. K. Pati

Authors
  1. M. Mukherjee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. R. Suresh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. K. Manna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. Panda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. P. Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. K. Pati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Mukherjee.

Additional information

The article is published in the original.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mukherjee, M., Suresh, V.R., Manna, R.K. et al. Dietary preference and feeding ecology of Bloch’s gizzard shad, Nematalosa nasus . J. Ichthyol. 56, 373–382 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032945216030097

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032945216030097

Keywords

Search

Navigation