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Feeding ecology of three sympatric species of stingrays on a tropical mudflat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2018

Kean Chong Lim ,
Ving Ching Chong ,
Phaik-Eem Lim ,
Tatsuya Yurimoto  and
Kar Hoe Loh
Kean Chong Lim
Affiliation:
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ving Ching Chong*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phaik-Eem Lim
Affiliation:
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tatsuya Yurimoto
Affiliation:
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8686, Japan
Kar Hoe Loh
Affiliation:
Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
Author for correspondence: V.C. Chong, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Periodic fish ingressions into intertidal areas during high tide are known to occur on tropical mudflats. This study aimed to elucidate the feeding ground function of coastal mudflats for three common stingray species in the Klang Strait, Malaysia. Stingrays (disc width range from 5.65–54.50 cm) sampled over 17 months using a large barrier net (~2 ha enclosure) at two sampling sites were examined for their diet composition, prey frequency and prey volume according to predator species and maturity. The index of relative importance and Schoener's index of diet overlap were calculated. The three stingray species fed on relatively similar prey items which varied in size and contribution. Brevitrygon heterura fed on the widest range of prey taxa (28) whereas Hemitrygon bennetti (22) and Telatrygon biasa (17) showed higher prey specialization. The Penaeidae (dominantly Metapenaeus brevicornis and M. affinis) were the most important food item in the stingray diet which also included Actinopterygii, Amphipoda, Brachyura and Calanoida. The stingray diet showed an ontogenetic shift, with young stingrays tending to be generalists whereas the more mature stingrays (except H. bennetti) become more specialized in their feeding habits. This shift in feeding strategy reflects the diversity of prey taxa abundantly available to young stingrays on the mudflats, while the larger stingrays adapt to feed on larger prey once they enter deeper waters.

Keywords

Diet overlapfeeding groundfeeding habitsmudflatMyliobatiformesontogenetic shift
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 99 , Issue 4 , June 2019 , pp. 999 - 1007
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2018 

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