Influence of maturity condition and habitat type on food resources utilization by Octopus tehuelchus in Atlantic Patagonian coastal ecosystems

STORERO, L; BOTTO, F; NARVARTE, M; O. IRIBARNE,

MARINE BIOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016 vol. 163 p. 179 - 189

0025-3162

This study evaluates differences in Octopustehuelchus diet in relation to sex and maturity condition(juvenile, mature, post-spawning) in two contrasting habitattypes (sandy vs. rocky). Muscle of O. tehuelchus andof its associated food sources were analyzed for δ13C andδ15N. There was no correlation between δ13C or δ15N andoctopus size. δ13C and δ15N values were similar betweensexes indicating similar diets. The Bayesian mixing model(MixSIAR) showed that the proportional contribution ofthe sources varied with the maturity condition of octopuses,and between habitat types. Our results show differences inthe proportions of alternative prey in the diet of O. tehuelchusrelated to their physiological condition and the habitatcharacteristics. The differential food source utilizationmay be related to differential prey energy contribution andcould explain the differences in the growth pattern and lifespan, as well as in the reproductive traits and recruitmentsuccess of O. tehuelchus in sandy and rocky habitats. Ourresults highlight the importance of considering such differencesin octopus diet, since they may have consequences