Abundance, distribution, feeding habits and trophic interactions in five flatfish species (Pleuronectiformes) in the Mexican central Pacific

• Published in: Latin american journal of aquatic research Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 423 - 439
• Main Authors: Flores-Ortega,J, Godinez-Dominguez, E, Gonzalez-Sanson, G, Rojo-Vazquez, J, Lopez-Prado, A, Morales-Jauregui, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Bothus; Bothus leopardinus; Cyclopsetta; Cyclopsetta panamensis; Cyclopsetta querna; Decapoda; Marine; Monolene; Monolene assaedae; Pleuronectiformes; Syacium; Syacium ovale; ISE, Mexico; I, Central Pacific

We analyzed the spatial distribution patterns of the five most abundant flatfish species caught by shrimp trawl nets on the continental shelf of the Mexican central Pacific. Food diets and trophic interactions between of the flatfish species are described as well. Flatfishes are distributed between 20 and 60 m depth. Bothus leopardinus showed the greatest abundance during the cold season (January-May), the other species did not show significant differences between seasons (cold and warm). The diet of the flatfish species consist of crustaceans, fishes and cephalopods. B. leopardinus and Syacium ovale are consumers of crustaceans, such as crabs, shrimps and stomatopods. Cyclopsetta panamensis, C. querna and Monolene assaedae based their diet in fishes and cephalopods. The feeding strategy of the five species analyzed is considered to be generalist, consuming a high number of preys in both seasons. Between the flatfish species, low values of overlapping in the diets were observed in size class and periods of the year. The flatfish species consume the available food resources and could change the preys consumed, according to prey availability, to avoid intra and interspecific competition.Original Abstract: Se analizaron los patrones de distribucion espacial de las cinco especies de lenguados de mayor abundancia capturadas con redes camaroneras en la plataforma continental del Pacifico central mexicano. Ademas, se describen las dietas alimentarias e interacciones troficas entre las especies de lenguados consideradas. Los lenguados se distribuyen entre 20 y 60 m de profundidad. Bothus leopardinus tiene su mayor abundancia durante la epoca fria (enero-mayo), el resto de las especies no presentaron diferencias significativas entre temporadas de captura (fria y calida). En general la dieta de los lenguados esta compuesta por crustaceos, peces y cefalopodos. B. leopardinus y Syacium ovale son consumidores de crustaceos como cangrejos, camarones y estomatopodos. Cyclopsetta panamensis, C. querna y Monolene assaedae basan su alimentacion en peces y cefalopodos. La estrategia alimentaria de las cinco especies analizadas es generalista, ya que consumen un gran numero de presas en ambas temporadas del ano. Entre las especies de lenguados se observaron valores bajos en la superposicion de la dieta por grupos de talla y periodos del ano. Las especies de lenguados consumen los recursos alimentarios disponibles y tienden a cambiar sus preferencias de acuerdo a la disponibilidad de presas, lo que les permite eludir la competencia por alimento dentro y entre especies.