Trophic ecology of the black drum, Pogonias cromis (Sciaenidae), in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Argentina)

BLASINA, GABRIELA E.; BARBINI, SANTIAGO A.; DIAZ DE ASTARLOA, JUAN. M.

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY-ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ANGEWANDTE ICHTHYOLOGIE

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2010 vol. 26 p. 528 - 534

0175-8659

This is the first documented about the feeding habit of the black drum, Pogonias cromis, in waters of South America. The aim of the investigation was to determining the trophic ecology of P. cromis in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (37º32´-37º45´S and 57º19´-57º26´W), from the analysis of the stomach contents of 109 specimens collected. Samples were monthly taken, using different fishery arts and covering various fish sizes. The results showed that this species is a benthic predator focusing on bivalves and crabs. PERMANOVA results indicated significant differences in the diet of P. cromis between seasons; this pattern is a reflection of change in abundance and availability of the preys and produces seasonal change in both foraging strategy and trophic niche breadth. This indicates that P. cromis is a versatile predator, adapting its feeding strategy in response to a seasonal shift of prey abundance, indicating an opportunist behavior.