Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2016, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 66-75.doi: 10.11978/2014133CSTR: 32234.14.2014133

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preliminary study on feeding habits and trophic niche of nine economic fish species in Beibu Gulf in summer

YANG Lu1, 2, CAO Wenqing1, 2, LIN Yuanshao1, 2, CHEN Yinghan1, 2, LIN Zhaojin3, WANG Xuehui3   

  1. 1. College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; 2. Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Global Change (MBiGC), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; 3. South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China;
  • Received:2014-11-18 Revised:2015-10-16 Online:2016-02-29 Published:2016-02-29
  • Contact: LIN Yuanshao. E-mail: yslin@xmu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Marine Public Welfare Project (201005012)

Abstract: In this study, based on fish samples collected in Beibu Gulf in July 2012, diet composition, feeding habits and trophic niche breadth of nine economic fish species were analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener index, Levins index and evenness index. Results showed that nine economic fish species could be classified into three types according to feeding habits, referred to as plankton predators (including Acropoma japonicum, Trachurus japonicus, Decapterus maruadsi, and Polydactylus sextarius), benthic predators (including Evynnis cardinalis, Upeneus japonicus and Psenopsis anomala) and nekton predators (Saurida tumbil and Pennahia argentata). Trophic niche breadth of Pennahia argentata was the highest (Shannon-Wiener index=0.938 and Levins index=2.238), while trophic niche breadth of Saurida tumbil was the lowest (Shannon-Wiener index=0 and Levins index=1). The trophic niche breadth of the nine economic fish species in summer in Beibu Gulf was strongly influenced by feeding habits and feeding foundation of surrounding environments.

Key words: feeding habit, trophic niche, Beibu Gulf