Preliminary observations on dominance of crustacean larvae in the diet of little tunny Euthynnus affinis (Cantor, 1849) caught off Chennai and Cuddalore coasts
2014
Suresh Gupta, K. | Kizhakudan, Shoba Joe | K. Kizhakudan, Joe | Yousuf, K.S.S.M. | Raja, S.
The food habits of little tunny Euthynnus affinis caught by hooks and line off Chennai and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu were studied from December 2011 to August 2012. A total of 358 samples were collected from both the centres and gut contents were analysed. Almost 42% of the guts were full and 22% were found to be either quarter full or with traces of food contents. About 35% of the guts were empty. Index of relative importance (IRI) was calculated for the prey items. Crustacean larvae (91%) were dominant among the gut contents, followed by fishes (4%) and molluscs (2%). Among the crustacean larvae, brachyuran megalopae and crablets formed about 45% while the stomatopod alima larvae formed 21%. Phyllosoma larvae of scyllarid lobsters and pueruli larvae of spiny lobsters were also found among the identified crustacean larvae.
Show more [+] Less [-]Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
