Application of the analysis of prey ecological characteristics (traits) for the study of the feeding behaviour of bottom-feeder fishes: the example of the stickleback (Gasterosteus gymnurus Cuvier, 1829)

作者：Sanchez Hernandez Javier^*; Servia Maria J; Vieira Lanero Rufino; Cobo Fernando

来源：Limnetica, 2012, 31(1): 59-76.

• Stickleback
• diet
• feeding behaviour
• macroinvertebrate ecological traits

We have used fourteen ecological traits of the macroinvertebrates present in the stomachs of the stickleback to try to obtain information on it%26apos;s feeding behaviour in the upper part of the Mino basin (NW Spain). To this end, a principal components analysis was carried out, using the level of affinity of the taxa for the different categories of the traits through a fuzzy codification process. The results show that the stickleback is a bottom-feeder that feeds basically on benthic prey, but can also consume terrestrial prey on the surface, the Chironomid larvae being the most abundant prey (constituted 59.66 % of the total). This species exhibited a generalist behaviour concerning some of the ecological traits of the prey (ex. %26apos;substratum%26apos;, %26apos;aggregation tendency%26apos;, %26apos;trajectory on the substratum and in the drift%26apos;, %26apos;agility%26apos; or %26apos;body flexibility%26apos;). In other cases it showed a clear preference for prey with certain characteristics, such as taxa typical of areas where the velocity of the current is null or low (trait %26apos;current velocity%26apos;) or taxa available in the drift during daylight (trait %26apos;daily drift behavior%26apos;). The results obtained show that this type of analysis could be used on other bottom-feeder species, thus providing a more ecological approach to feeding studies.

• 出版日期2012-6