Description

SINGLE PAPER

Volume 5, Issue 1 – November 2001

Thelma L. P. Dias, Ierecê L. Rosa & Bertran M. Feitoza: Food Resource and Habitat Sharing by the three Western South Atlantic Surgeonfishes (Teleostei: Acanthuridae: Acanthurus) off Paraiba Coast, North-eastern Brazil, pp. 1-10

Abstract

Diet and feeding  behaviour of the three western South Atlantic acanthurids (Acanthurus bahianus, A. chirugus, and A. coeruleus) were analysed, based on stomach contents analysis and underwater observations. Data ere obtained at three natural reefs and two shipwrecks along the coast of Paraíba State, NE Brazil. The results of Schoener’s Index suggest that dietary overlap was not significant between species pairs; however, some degree of microhabitat segregation was observed. Juveniles of A. bahianus and A. chirurgus formed feeding aggregations, whereas juveniles of A. coeruleus foraged solitarily. Adults of the three studied species formed intra- or interspecific feeding groups. Following behaviour was observed between acanthurids and Halichoeres spp., Pseudupeeus maculates, and Sparisoma spp.