Length–Weight Relationship and Diet Composition of the Spotcheek Emperor, Lethrinus rubrioperculatus (Sato 1978) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from the Mecúf Waters, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

• Dércio Pequenino Maoze ^[1] ; Vasco Antonio Long Puan ^[2] ; Érica Helena Tovela ^[3] ; Torres Armando Taimo ^[4] ; Abacar Raimundo Amade ^[5] ; Carolina Marcela Mutatisse ^[4] ; Isabel Marques da Silva ^[1]
  1. [1] Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lúrio University, Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
  2. [2] Lúrio University, Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
  3. [3] Museu de História Natural, Travessia de Zambeze, Maputo, Mozambique
  4. [4] Department of Biological Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
  5. [5] Fundação Para Conservação da Biodiversidade (Biofund), Maputo, Mozambique

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: Thalassas: An international journal of marine sciences, ISSN 0212-5919, Vol. 41, Nº. 1, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The spotcheek emperor, Lethrinus rubrioperculatus Sato, 1978, plays an essential role in the livelihood of local and coastal communities. This study aims to bring more information on trophic ecology and morphometric relationships, including diet composition, stomach fullness degree, grade of feeding preference, prey diversity, and length–weight relationship. We collected 85 samples from the local artisanal fsheries of the Province of Cabo Delgado, at Mecúf, in April 2019. The stomach content and morphometric relationships were analyzed, and the specimens were separated into three size classes: Class] 9.5–12.5[;] 12.6–15.6[ and] 15.7–18.7[ cm TL. The length–weight relationship was calculated as W=0.027TL2.752 for all classes, W=0.043TL2.555 for class 9.5–12.5 cm TL, W=0.119TL2.174 for class 12.6–15.6 cm TL. Sixteen large groups were defned, comprising 42 types of prey. Shrimps, other crustaceans, crabs, fsh, radiolarian, sand, and detritus were defned as the main prey groups. The grade of feeding preference showed that crustaceans are part of the preferred items, while fsh are secondary items. The similarity index was partial similarity among the three size classes, with values below 0.7. Additionally, there was a strong diet overlap, with values reaching 0.7. However, the diversity of prey increased as the fsh's size increased and stabilized between 11 and 12 cm. Statistically, there were no signifcant dietary diferences between the three size classes. This information can enhance our understanding of the species ecology, inform management initiatives and conservation policies, and facilitate an ecosystem-based approach to fsheries management.