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Trophic ecology of the smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii in the San Matías Gulf, northern Patagonia, Argentina

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Abstract

This study quantifies and describes the diet composition and variability, and the trophic ecology of Sympterygia bonapartii (Batoidea: Arhynchobatidae) in the San Matías Gulf, northern Patagonia, Argentina. A total of 1,047 stomachs were analyzed and 98 % of them contained food. The low proportion of empty stomachs recorded and the presence of prey in different stages of digestion suggested that this skate was a continuous feeder. A total of 81 prey items were identified. However, the diet was mainly composed of crabs. Other important groups in its diet were teleost fishes, shrimps and prawns, bivalves and worms. At the species level, the crab Peltarion spinosulum accounted for the highest contribution and the anchovy Engraulis anchoita ranked second in importance. By analyzing its diet composition, it was possible to classify S. bonapartii as a benthic predator, as are other skates reaching a similar maximum size. In addition, it was placed in the functional group of species that mainly feeds on decapod crustaceans. Trophic level was estimated at 3.61, indicating that the species was a secondary consumer. Significant differences were found in the diet according to sex, size class and season. These differences may be due to extrinsic and intrinsic factors that could be operating together.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Tec. M. Camarero, Tec. G. Mora, Tec. M. Suarez and Tec. B. Rivero for helping us with the sampling. We also thank Dr. L. Orensanz, Dra. B. Dotti and Dr. G. Pastorino for their kind contribution towards the taxonomic identification of the prey; and Dr. S. Barbini and Lic. J. Pérez Comesaña for their help with the statistical analysis. We also acknowledge the local fish-processing plants “Maritima San José”, “Camaronera Patagónica”, “Al Pesca” and “Calme Pesquera” for providing us with the biological material and allowing us to sample at their facilities. This research was supported by Universidad Nacional del Comahue by the grant (004/M020). This research complies with the current laws of Argentina.

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Correspondence to María Lourdes Estalles.

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Estalles, M.L., Perier, M.R. & Di Giácomo, E.E. Trophic ecology of the smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii in the San Matías Gulf, northern Patagonia, Argentina. Ichthyol Res 63, 207–217 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-015-0489-0

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