Feeding habits of Macrodon ancylodon (Actinopterygii, Sciaenidae) in northeast, Brazil

Abstract

The feeding habits of Macrodon ancylodon were studied based on 280 specimens from the Maranhão coast, northeast Brazil. The diet showed a predominance of fishes, crustaceans and occasionally cephalopods. The diets of males and females were similar and difference was found in the proportion of prey items among juveniles, sub adults, and adults (P > 0.05). During rainy season the prey items were more diverse than dry season. In the dry season M. ancylodon feeds more Penaeidae (Penaeus sp. and Penaeus schmitti), Callinectes sp. and Engraulidae (Cetengraulis sp.). An increase of food spectrum was observed in rainy season, preyed upon 5 species of fish (Anchovia clupeoides, Cetengraulis edentulus, Macrodon ancylodon, Mugil curema and Sardinella brasiliensis), 3 species of Crustacea (Penaeus sp., Penaeus schmitti, Parapenaeus politus, and Callinectes sp.) and 2 Cephalopoda (Loligo sp. and Loligo plei). Differences in the ingestion of prey items were found during the year, where in the rainy season this species presented larger stomach contents. Cannibalism was encountered more intensively for mature fish.