Notes on the food habits and predatory behaviour of the dusky grouper, Epinephe...

• Author(s): Barreiros, João P. ; Santos, Ricardo S.
• Date: 1998
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/1474
• Origin: Repositório da Universidade dos Açores
• Subject(s): Epinephelus marginatus; Dusky Grouper; Mero; Açores; Azores
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Entre 1992 e 1995, foram colhidos e examinados 57 exemplares de E. marginatus da ilha Terceira. Os seus comprimentos totais variaram entre 60 e 138 cm com duas categorias de tamanho. O coeficiente de vacuidade observado foi de 44,0% para exemplares de médio porte e 31,3% para grandes exemplares. As presas predominantes foram o polvo comum e peixes. Duas posturas de caça diferentes foram observadas e são descritas. ABSTRACT: Between 1992 and 1995, 57 individuals of E. marginatus were collected near Terceira Island. Their sizes ranged from 60 to 138 cm, total length, with two size categories. Stomach contents were analysed. Vacuity coefficient was 44,0% for medium size specimens and 31,3% for large specimens. Octopus and fishes were the dominant prey. Two different hunting postures were also observed and described.