Stomach contents of yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, during winter and spring in Southern Brazil

• Published in: Revista Brasileira de biologia Vol. 58; no. 4; pp. 639 - 647
• Main Authors: Vaske, T Jr, Castello, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.11.1998
• Subjects: Brachyscelus crusculum; Marine; Ornithoteuthis antillarum; Phrosina semilunata; Teleostei; Thunnus albacares; ASW, Brazil
• ISSN: 0034-7108

Stomach contents of yellowfin tuna caught by commercial tuna longliners in Southern Brazil, were studied from 178 specimens collected during Winter and Spring between August 1988 and October 1990. IRI (Index of Relative Importance) diagrams and a prey list showed variations in the diet composition for both seasons. Teleosteans and the squid Ornithoteuthis antillarum were the most important items during Winter, whilst the amphipods hyperiids Brachyscelus crusculum and Phrosina semilunata were the main items during Spring. Yellowfin tuna is an euriphagic predator, that practice no discrimination on prey type nor prey size.Original Abstract: Conteudos estomacais da albacora-laje, capturada com espinhel no sul do Brasil, foram estudados a partir de 178 exemplares coletados durante o inverno e primavera entre agosto de 1988 e outubro de 1990. Os resultados apresentados na forma de listas de presas e representacoes graficas de IRI (Indice de Importancia Relativa) mostraram variacoes na composicao da dieta para as duas estacoes. Teleosteos e a lula Ornithoteuthis antillarum predominaram na dieta de inverno, ao passo que na primavera os anfipodes hiperideos Brachyscelus crusculum e Phrosina semilunata foram os itens mais importantes. A albacora-laje caracterizou-se como um predador eurifagico, que nao faz distincao de tipo ou tamanho das presas.