@article{fdi:010066989,
  title = {{F}eeding ecology of two demersal opportunistic predators coexisting in the northwestern {M}editerranean {S}ea},
  author = {{L}opez, {N}. and {N}avarro, {J}. and {B}arria, {C}. and {A}lbo-{P}uigserver, {M}. and {C}oll, {M}arta and {P}alomera, {I}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he study of the feeding ecology of marine organisms is crucial to understanding their ecological roles and advancing our knowledge of marine ecosystem functioning. {T}he aim of this study was to analyse the trophic ecology of two demersal predator species, black anglerfish ({L}ophius budegassa) and white anglerfish ({L}. piscatorius), in the northwestern {M}editerranean {S}ea. {B}oth species are important in the study area due to their high abundance and economic value, but information about their feeding behaviour is scarce. {H}ere, we described the diet composition and ecological role of these two species, investigating whether trophic segregation exists between them and amongst fish of different sizes. {I}n addition, by using experimental survey data we described the spatial distribution of both species to help us interpret trophic behaviour patterns. {W}e gathered samples of two different sizes (small individuals of a total length <30 cm and large individuals >= 30 cm) of both species and combined stomach content analyses ({SCA}) and stable isotope analyses ({SIA}) of nitrogen and carbon with isotopic mixing models. {O}ur results revealed that both anglerfish species are opportunistic predators, showing a diet composed mainly of fishes and, to a lesser extent, of crustaceans, with a small proportion of cephalopods, gastropods, bivalves and echinoderms. {W}e found trophic segregation between the two species and the two sizes, indicating that they feed on different prey, in line with differences in their spatial distribution within the study area. {T}his partial partition of food resources could also be explained by the differences in rhythms of activity that were reported in previous studies. {I}n addition, although both species occupied a high position within the food web, our results showed that white anglerfish individuals and the large-sized fish of both species held higher trophic positions. {T}his study demonstrates the usefulness of complementary approaches for trophic studies and confirms that both anglerfish species play an important role as predators in the northwestern {M}editerranean {S}ea food web.},
  keywords = {{B}lack anglerfish ; {L}ophius budegassa ; {L}ophius piscatorius ; {S}tomach contents ; {S}table isotopes ; {S}patial distributions ; {T}rophic ecology ; {W}hite anglerfish ; {MEDITERRANEE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}stuarine {C}oastal and {S}helf {S}cience},
  volume = {175},
  numero = {},
  pages = {15--23},
  ISSN = {0272-7714},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ecss.2016.03.007},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010066989},
}