Changes in the diet of Seriola rivoliana from the Azores

Cybium, International Journal of Ichthyology
Copyright © 2003 Société Française d’Ichtyologie

Volume 27, issue 1, 31 March 2003

Interannual changes in the diet of the almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana (Perciformes: Carangidae) from the Azores

João Pedro BARREIROS (1), Telmo MORATO (2), Ricardo Serrão SANTOS (2) & Alfredo Emílio de BORBA (1)

(1) University of the Azores, Department of Agricultural Sciences, 9701-851 Angra do Heroísmo, PORTUGAL.
(2) University of the Azores, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, 9901-862 Horta, PORTUGAL.

Abstract. - The food habits of 232 almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) were investigated in the Azores (NE Atlantic) between 1997 and 2000. Fish length ranged from 23 to 134 cm (SL), and 83.2% of the stomachs contained food. Their diet was exclusively piscivorous and dominant prey were juveniles of Trachurus picturatus (1997 to 1998) and Scomber japonicus (1999 to 2000). An apparent decrease of T. picturatus stock is interpreted as the main cause for the detected diet shift.

Résumé. - Changements interannuels de l’alimentation de la sériole Seriola rivoliana (Perciformes: Carangidae) aux Açores.

Les habitudes alimentaires de 232 sérioles (Seriola rivoliana) ont été étudiées aux Açores (Atlantique NE) entre 1997 et 2000. La taille des individus varie entre 23 et 134 cm (LS) et 83,2% des estomacs contenaient de la nourriture. Leur alimentation était exclusivement piscivore et les proies dominantes étaient des juvéniles de Trachurus picturatus (1997 à 1998) et Scomber japonicus (1999 à 2000). L’apparente diminution des stocks de T. picturatus est interprétée comme la raison principale du changement observé dans l’alimentation.

Key words. - Carangidae - Seriola rivoliana - Azores - ANE - Food habits - Interannual changes.

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