Optimal feeding strategy of the temperate herbivorous fish Aplodactylus punctatus: the effects of food availability on digestive and reproductive patterns

• Published in: Oecologia 1994-09, Vol.99 (1-2), p.118-123
• Main Authors: Caceres, C.W. (Chile Univ., Santiago (Chile). Dept. de Ciencias Ecologicas. Facultad de Ciencias), Fuentes, L.S, Ojeda, F.P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; ALGAE; Animal and plant ecology; Animal digestion; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; BUSQUEDA DE ALIMENTO; COMPORTEMENT ALIMENTAIRE; Diet; DIGESTION; Digestive tract; FACTEUR DU MILIEU; FACTORES AMBIENTALES; Food; Food availability; Food sovereignty; Foraging; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HABITOS ALIMENTARIOS; HERBIVORE; Herbivores; HERBIVOROS; Herbivorous fishes; INGESTION DE PIENSOS; Marine; PECES MARINOS; POISSON DE MER; PRISE ALIMENTAIRE (ANIMAUX); RECHERCHE DE NOURRITURE; VALEUR NUTRITIVE; VALOR NUTRITIVO; Vertebrata
• ISSN: 0029-8549; 1432-1939
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00317091

Differences in feeding behavior of populations of the marine temperate herbivorous fish Aplodactylus punctatus, in three different localities off the Chilean coast, which differ qualitatively and quantitatively in food availability were examined. Tests were conducted on whether food selection follows optimal foraging strategies, whether there is any modification of the fishes' digestive tracts in relation to their diets, and whether differences in diet quality affect the allocation of energy into reproduction and maintenance in these populations. Samples of this fish and of the understore algal assemblages were taken seasonally from May 1989 to February 1990. For each population dietary composition, weight of the digestive tract and of the food content, the condition factor (K), and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) were analyzed. The results showed that the diet observed in the three populations closely resembled the differences in macroalgal abundance and composition among the three localities studied. Local differences in diet quality were inversely related to the amount of food consumption and size of the digestive tract, suggesting that under differential conditions of food availability A. punctatus is able to compensate for variations in food quality through a flexibility in its digestive strategies. The nutritional status (K) of individuals, and their reproductive pattern (GSI) were directly related to diet quality. These results indicate that although A. punctatus is able to adjust its digestive processes to different algal food regimes, the digestive modifications observed in food-poor environments are not sufficient to compensate for the lack of food and allow fish to reach the nutritional status and reproductive output reached in a food-rich environment.