From gaps to consideration: a framework for prioritizing trophic studies in marine fishes

Developing frameworks to identify knowledge gaps and prioritize research on diet studies in marine fish species is critical, as this knowledge is required for ecosystem-based management. We applied a framework in central Patagonia, Argentina, which faces a demand for gap assessments in diet knowledg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 2024-09, Vol.851 (16), p.3943-3961
Main Authors: Rincón-Díaz, Martha Patricia, Funes, Manuela, Bovcon, Nelson Dario, Belleggia, Mauro, Cochia, Pablo Daniel, Jacobi, Kevin Josue, Galván, David Edgardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assessments
Biological traits
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Diet
Ecology
Ecosystem management
Fish
Fishing
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Life Sciences
Marine ecosystems
Marine fish
Marine fishes
Ontogeny
Primary Research Paper
Structure-function relationships
Zoology
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Summary:Developing frameworks to identify knowledge gaps and prioritize research on diet studies in marine fish species is critical, as this knowledge is required for ecosystem-based management. We applied a framework in central Patagonia, Argentina, which faces a demand for gap assessments in diet knowledge and ecosystem management due to changes in marine fish assemblages' structure and function linked to industrial fishing and tropicalization. Our framework effectively identified gaps by examining the history of research efforts regarding spatial and temporal coverage, sampling sizes, fish life stages, and information quality of studies per species. We found critical gaps in local diet studies, particularly for mostly bony, Petromyzonti, and Myxini species, whereas elasmobranchs received the best coverage of the diet described. Most studies lack evaluation of ontogenetic diet changes and prey cumulative curves. Fixing these shortcomings improves research quality and reduces data uncertainties in community assessments. The prioritization framework identified high-priority species as those that require updated diet information, had shifted ranges, and lacked data. Our framework can be tailored to other biological traits and regions based on specific contextual needs to identify research gaps and priorities for fish assemblages impacted by global change while disseminating knowledge from diverse sources and languages.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/s10750-024-05550-1