Size-related dietary changes observed in the squid Moroteuthis ingens at the Falkland Islands: stomach contents and fatty-acid analyses
Dietary composition of the onychoteuthid squid Moroteuthis ingens at the Falkland Islands was related to predator size, as shown by stomach contents and fatty-acid analyses. Comparisons were made between two size classes of squid: those of mantle length <200 mm and those of mantle length >200...
| Published in: | Polar Biology |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer-Verlag
2003
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-003-0509-9 http://ecite.utas.edu.au/29092 |
| Summary: | Dietary composition of the onychoteuthid squid Moroteuthis ingens at the Falkland Islands was related to predator size, as shown by stomach contents and fatty-acid analyses. Comparisons were made between two size classes of squid: those of mantle length <200 mm and those of mantle length >200 mm. Smaller squid had frequently consumed crustaceans and cephalopods; fish were of secondary importance. Larger squid consumed mostly fish and moderate amounts of cephalopods, but had rarely consumed crustaceans. These findings were supported by comparisons drawn between digestive-gland fatty-acid profiles and the fatty-acid profiles of potential prey species. Fatty-acid analyses indicated that the crustaceans Euphausia lucens, Munida gregaria and Themisto gaudichaudii were important prey items of smaller squid, whereas stomach content and fatty-acid analyses indicated that Gymnoscopelus nicholsi of around 100 mm standard length represented much of the fish prey of larger squid. |
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