Feeding habits of juvenile fishes belonging to three medusivorous species (Centrolophidae and Nomeidae) from the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

The feeding habits of juvenile fishes belonging to three medusivorous species (Centrolophidae and Nomeidae) from the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean) during 2009–2010 and 2012 are reported. Individuals were collected after stranding along the shore and their diets were investigated by stomach content analysis. Young Schedophilus medusophagus showed a specialist predation on Scyphozoa, based on a strict trophic relationship with Pelagia noctiluca. This jellyfish was also found in the stomach contents of juvenile Centrolophus niger, but in this case was not the dominant prey, as juveniles of this predator fed mainly on chaetognaths and crustaceans (primarily amphipods). Young Cubiceps gracilis primarily fed on chaethognaths, with occasional foraging on copepods and annelids, while no traces of medusae were recorded. The competition among C. gracilis and C. niger for chaetognath food resources was likely mitigated by timing differences in occurrences of these species, probably reflecting seasonal variations in reproductive period and recruitment. The high trophic specialization of S. medusophagus as jellyfish feeders make this predator one of the most efficient key species involved in the control of jellyfish populations.

Key words:

• Centrolophidae
• feeding habits
• Mediterranean Sea
• medusivorous fishes
• Nomeidae

Editorial responsibility: Haakon Hop