Feeding strategy and ontogenetic changes in diet of gurnards (Teleostea: Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae) from the Adriatic Sea

AbstractA multi-specific approach in fish diet studies provides insight into the complexity of trophic interactions in marine communities. The feeding habits of three gurnard species, Aspitrigla cuculus, Chelidonichthys lucerna and Eutrigla gurnardus (Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae), from the north-middle Adriatic Sea were studied to evaluate prey-resource partitioning amongst species and within species, comparing juveniles’ and adults’ diet for each gurnard species. A total of 1818 specimens (390 A. cuculus, 973 C. lucerna, 455 E. gurnardus) were collected by bottom trawling and they were assigned to size classes (juveniles or adults) on the basis of macroscopic evaluation of the gonads. Stomach contents were analysed. A common dietary preference for Crustacea was found in all species and size classes considered. Nevertheless, gurnards showed distinct feeding behaviour: C. lucerna and E. gurnardus were generalist-opportunistic predators, showing a varied diet based on epi-benthic, bentho-pelagic and necto-be...