Trophic characterization of the Prévost lagoon (Mediterranean Sea) by the feeding habits of the European eel Anguilla anguilla ...

• Main Authors: BOUCHEREAU, Jean-Luc, MARQUES, Catarina, PEREIRA, Patricia, GUELORGET, Olivier, VERGNE, Yvan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Station Biologique de Roscoff (SBR) 2006
• Subjects: Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.21411/cbm.a.daeaa449; https://cbm.sb-roscoff.fr/cbm/doi/10.21411/cbm.a.daeaa449

This study deals with temporal variations in eel diet Anguilla anguilla sampled at each of the four seasons in the Languedocian Prévost lagoon (Gulf of Lion) from Autumn 1998 to Summer 1999. The following feeding indices were calculated based on observations of 12 categories of prey found in the contents of full stomachs: coefficient of vacuity CV, degree of fullness DR, occurrence frequency PP, relative abundance N (in %) and relative weight P (in %). The interpreta- tion of results is also based on the Costello's method (1990) which combines PP and N. Anguilla anguilla mainly feeds on benthic organisms, primarily Gammarus gr. locusta, Polychaeta, insect larvae, small fish. Based on variations in eel diet, seasonal influence is illustrated by a decrease in feeding activity in summer which gradually increases during the following seasons. The good trophic quality available to eels in the Prévost lagoon depends on its hydrodynamics which is directly related to the movement of water entering and leaving lagoon ...