Trawling disturbance effects on the trophic ecology of two co-generic Astropectinid species


Published: Sep 7, 2015
Keywords:
Scavengers Stomach contents analysis Energy subsidy Vessel Monitoring System data Ecosystem approach Southern Tyrrhenian Sea.
M. C. MANGANO
M. J. KAISER
E. M.D. PORPORATO
G. I. LAMBERT
N. SPANÒ
Abstract

Physical disturbance by trawling can have both negative and positive effects on populations of scavenging benthic organisms. In the present study the impact of fishing activity on feeding behaviour of the two Astropectinids, Astropecten bispinosus and A. irregularis, was assessed based on stomach contents analysis. The study was carried out along trawled seabed highlighting the positive response of the two facultative scavengers to carrion generated by trawl disturbance. Furthermore, there was greater food specialization in areas that were more heavily exploited by trawling. This specialisation could be linked to the availability of certain prey that results from the passage of fishing gears across the seabed. Interestingly, differences between the two species analysed have been highlighted in term of population dynamic, feeding rate, diet composition and diet diversity, testifying their capacity to coexist in the same fishing grounds.

 

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Author Biographies
M. J. KAISER, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, LL59 5AB Menai Bridge, Anglesey

E. M.D. PORPORATO, IAMC-CNR, via G. da Verrazzano, 17, 91014 Castellammare del Golfo, TP

G. I. LAMBERT, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, LL59 5AB Menai Bridge, Anglesey