Unravelling the ecological role and trophic relationships of uncommon and threatened elasmobranchs in the western Mediterranean Sea Barria C. auteur aut IRD Coll Marta auteur aut IRD Navarro J. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Deficiencies in basic ecological information on uncommon and endangered elasmobranch fishes impair the assessment of their ecological role in marine ecosystems. In this study, we examined the feeding ecology (diet composition and trophic level) and trophic relationships of 22 elasmobranchs (2 Carcharhiniformes, 1 Hexanchiformes, 1 Lamniformes, 3 Myliobatiformes, 6 Rajiformes, 6 Squaliformes and 3 Torpediniformes) present in the western Mediterranean Sea. To obtain a comprehensive view of the feeding ecology of these species, we combined different approaches: stable isotope analyses (delta C-13 and delta N-15 values), stomach content analyses and published sources. Our results revealed differences in feeding strategies among elasmobranch groups: skates (Rajiformes) mainly consume crustaceans; sharks (Carcharhiniformes, Hexanchiformes, Squaliformes and Lamniformes) prefer mixed diets composed of cephalopods, crustaceans and fishes; electric rays (Torpediniformes) feed mostly on fishes; and the diet of stingrays (Myliobatiformes) varies between species. Sharks and electric rays show higher trophic positions than skates, and the former occupy similar positions to other apex predators. Skates are more similar to other mesopredator fishes. These new findings offer essential information on the ecological role of several elasmobranchs in the western Mediterranean Sea and provide useful data for managers for future conservation strategies. specialized Mediterranean Sea Rays Sharks Skates Species at risk Stable isotopes Trophic ecology Trophic level MEDITERRANEE BALEARES MER LION GOLFE 036 Marine Ecology Progress Series 539 225-240 2015 0171-8630 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065452 10.3354/meps11494 0171-8630 [F B010065452] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065452 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2015/12/010065452.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2016-01-14 2017-08-23 fdi:010065452 fre