We evaluated the feeding ecology of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) and hairtail (T. margarites). We collected specimens from fishing ports in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) from October 2008 to September 20...We evaluated the feeding ecology of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) and hairtail (T. margarites). We collected specimens from fishing ports in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) from October 2008 to September 2009 and analyzed their gut contents. We collected 857 T. lepturus and 666 T. margarites samples. The number of stomachs examined in this study was sufficient to describe the monthly and ontogenetic diet shifts for the two species, as indicated by the trophic diversity curves. T. lepturus was a general omnivore, feeding primarily on Bregmaceros rarisquamosu, Decapterus maruadsi, and Acetes chinensis. Conversely, T. margarites preyed primarily on D. maruadsi, B. rarisquamosus, B. nectabanus, and A. chinensis. Both species exhibited distinct ontogenetic diet shifts. Although the two hairtail specie fed on similar sources in the same habitat, the diet overlap was relatively low. Our results suggest that hairtail play an important role in controlling small pelagic and benthic fish populations in the gulf. This trophic correlation shall be used for developing a marine ecosystem model for the Beibu Gulf.展开更多
The size selectivity and catch pattern of Trichiurus lepturus in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends were investigated in this study.A 34 m high opening trawl was used,which is a common design used by fishermen oper...The size selectivity and catch pattern of Trichiurus lepturus in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends were investigated in this study.A 34 m high opening trawl was used,which is a common design used by fishermen operating along the northwest coast of India,and the cover codend method was employed to determine codend selectivity.Along with the changes in the length at 50%retention rate for Trichiurus lepturus with the usage of the square and diamond mesh codends,indicators to understand the exploitation pattern of this species in the fishery were assessed based on the total number of individuals and on total weight of the catch.The mean selection length increased and discard fraction is reduced when 40 mm square mesh codends are used in place of diamond meshes,however,it is observed that individuals at commercial length are also lost.The results demonstrate that mandatory use of legal mesh sizes alone will be insufficient to aid in the sustainable harvest of this species,given its estimated length at first sexual maturity of 61.2 cm.This is the first study to compare the size selection of this species in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends along Northwest coast of India.Results of the study will help as a baseline for gear-based regulations in the region.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30771653)the Bureau of Fisheries,Ministry of Agriculture,Department of Education of Guangdong Province (No.LYM09089)Guangdong Ocean University (No.2009-11)
文摘We evaluated the feeding ecology of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) and hairtail (T. margarites). We collected specimens from fishing ports in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) from October 2008 to September 2009 and analyzed their gut contents. We collected 857 T. lepturus and 666 T. margarites samples. The number of stomachs examined in this study was sufficient to describe the monthly and ontogenetic diet shifts for the two species, as indicated by the trophic diversity curves. T. lepturus was a general omnivore, feeding primarily on Bregmaceros rarisquamosu, Decapterus maruadsi, and Acetes chinensis. Conversely, T. margarites preyed primarily on D. maruadsi, B. rarisquamosus, B. nectabanus, and A. chinensis. Both species exhibited distinct ontogenetic diet shifts. Although the two hairtail specie fed on similar sources in the same habitat, the diet overlap was relatively low. Our results suggest that hairtail play an important role in controlling small pelagic and benthic fish populations in the gulf. This trophic correlation shall be used for developing a marine ecosystem model for the Beibu Gulf.
文摘The size selectivity and catch pattern of Trichiurus lepturus in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends were investigated in this study.A 34 m high opening trawl was used,which is a common design used by fishermen operating along the northwest coast of India,and the cover codend method was employed to determine codend selectivity.Along with the changes in the length at 50%retention rate for Trichiurus lepturus with the usage of the square and diamond mesh codends,indicators to understand the exploitation pattern of this species in the fishery were assessed based on the total number of individuals and on total weight of the catch.The mean selection length increased and discard fraction is reduced when 40 mm square mesh codends are used in place of diamond meshes,however,it is observed that individuals at commercial length are also lost.The results demonstrate that mandatory use of legal mesh sizes alone will be insufficient to aid in the sustainable harvest of this species,given its estimated length at first sexual maturity of 61.2 cm.This is the first study to compare the size selection of this species in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends along Northwest coast of India.Results of the study will help as a baseline for gear-based regulations in the region.
