Contribution à l'étude du régime alimentaire du barbeau (Barbus barbus callensis Valenciennes, 1842) d'un cours d'eau du Moyen-Atlas (Maroc): Oued Boufekrane

Abstract

The diet of the barbel (Barbus barbus callensis Vallenciennes, 1842) in Boufekrane stream was studied on 1021 fish catched between January 1998 and June 1999. This species presented a seasonal rhythm. So, with the low rate of vacuity index, the summer and the spring were the seasons of intense alimentary activity. This activity regressed during automn and winter. The omnivorous character of the barbel was verified. The diet was composed essentially from insect larvae and plant's sherd. The young barbel (length is less than 13 cm) have zoophagous tendency. Their diet was dominated by Diptera and Ephemeroptera larvae. But, the old ones present a phytophagous tendency the opportunism of this species and the plasicity of its diet. This behavior explain the adaptability of this species to trophic conditions in the stream which contained low density of benthic fauna.