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Small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequencing analysis of dietary shifts during gonad maturation in wild black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) in the lower reaches of the Pearl River

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Abstract

Black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) is an economically important indigenous species that dominates the fish community in the lower reaches of the Pearl river. We used small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) sequencing to assess the intestinal contents of black Amur bream at four independent developmental stages (stages II, III, IV, and V). This represents a new approach to the analysis of fish diets in the field. The results showed that Eunicida, Tubificina, unclassified Demospongiae, unclassified Insecta, unclassified Hexactinellida, unclassified Bivalvia and Monogononta constitute the predominant primary food sources of black Amur bream. Interestingly, a shift in the diet of black Amur bream was observed upon the fish reaching a standard length of around 225 ± 19.3 mm during gonad development from stage III to IV. A reduction in the consumption of Demospongiae and Rotifera, and an increase in the consumption of Annelida (mostly Eunicida) and Tubificina, were observed. Stage III in the developmental process is a transition phase in relation to dietary shift, which exhibits the food preferences both of juveniles and adults. We also observed that food items that were detected in the foregut were also present in the hindgut, indicating that 18S rDNA amplification of fecal matter could be used for dietary analysis in fish in the field.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31602166), and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2016A030313147).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China

    Yuguo Xia, Jie Li, Yuefei Li, Shuli Zhu, Yanfei Huang, Zhi Wu, Qianhu Liu & Xinhui Li

  2. Experimental Station for Scientific Observation on Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture the People’s Republic of China, Zhaoqing, 526100, China

    Yuguo Xia, Jie Li, Yuefei Li, Shuli Zhu, Yanfei Huang, Zhi Wu, Qianhu Liu & Xinhui Li

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  1. Yuguo Xia
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Correspondence to Xinhui Li.

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Xia, Y., Li, J., Li, Y. et al. Small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequencing analysis of dietary shifts during gonad maturation in wild black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) in the lower reaches of the Pearl River. Fish Sci 83, 955–965 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-017-1123-z

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