P-47
Trophic Interactions in a Demersal Soft Bottom Fish Assemblage of the Central Mexican Pacific
Godínez-Domínguez, E., Flores-Ortega, JR., González-Sansón, G.
The trophic interactions of twelve of the most abundant demersal fish species living on soft bottoms (15-80m depth) of the central mexican Pacific were surveyed: Bothus leopardinus, Cyclopsetta panamensis, C. querna, Diodon holocanthus, Monolene asaedae, Porichthys margaritatus, Prionotus ruscarius, Scorpaena russula, Syacium ovale, Urolophus halleri, Urotrygon munda y U. rogersi. Gut contents of 2639 fish were analyzed and 125 food items were found. The most relevant food items were crustaceans (28), molluscs (22), fishes (12), and polychaetes (2). Species included in this research showed a wide trophic-niche breath and were defined as generalist feeders. The diet overlapping was low, and only few cases with significant overlapping were observed in some rays and flat fish species. The trophic strategy and feeding habits of the soft bottom fish assemblage showed seasonal patterns. No dietary changes were observed related to sex and body size. The analysis of diet overlapping and predators co-occurrence suggests low potential competence risk.