Feeding ecology of the blackwing searobin prionotus rubio (Jordan, 1886) over the western continental shelf off Alvarado Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Seasonal changes of food habits of the blackwing searobin Prionotus rubio were studied over the continental shelf off Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico, from Sept. 1994 to Aug. 1995. A total of 234 stomachs (182 with identifiable food) were analyzed. Brown shrimp Farfantopenaeus aztecus, blue crab Portunus sprinicarpus, and rock shrimp Sicyonia dorsalis were the main dietary items. Low values of prey diversity and dietary breadth suggest the main prey were always relatively abundant over the western continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. We concluded the blackwing searobin is part of a trophic guild of demersal marine fish that impact mainly on epibenthic invertebrates.