Food habits of the brown ray Raja miraletus (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) from the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)

Abstract

The food habits of the brown ray Raja miraletus in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) were investigated with respect to sex, maturity stage and season. Stomach contents of 1170 specimens ranging from 13.5 to 58 cm TL collected by commercial trawls monthly during 2007 were analysed. Of the 1170 individuals examined, 370 had empty stomachs (31.6%). Raja miraletus fed almost exclusively on crustaceans (mainly decapods, isopods and amphipods), with teleosts, molluscs and polychaetes contributing less to the diet. A three-factor MANOVA demonstrated significant differences in the diet following maturity status and seasons, although no significant differences were detected in relation to sex. Trophic level analysis revealed that Raja miraletus is a tertiary consumer throughout its life. Quantitative analysis indicated that the species is a generalist feeder.

Key words:

• Skates
• Raja miraletus
• diet
• Gulf of Gabès
• Mediterranean Sea

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the commercial fishermen for sample collection. Thanks also to the anonymous reviewers for comments that greatly improved the submitted manuscript.

Editorial responsibility: Haakon Hop