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1 December 2015 Trophic Relationships of Hake (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) and Sharks (Centrophorus squamosus, Deania calcea and D. profundorum) in the Northern (Namibia) Benguela Current region
Johannes A Iitembu, Nicole B Richoux
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Abstract

The trophic relationships of two hake species (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) and three shark species (Centrophorus squamosus, Deania calcea and D. profundorum) were investigated using nitrogen and carbon stable isotope signatures (δ15N and δ13C) of their muscle tissues. The sharks were more enriched in 15N than the hake, an indication of the apex predator status of sharks. Among the sharks considered, C. squamosus occupied the highest trophic level and fed primarily on benthic prey. The two species of shark from the genus Deania were not different based on δ15N or δ13C, so they had similar diets. The δ13C signatures indicated that M. capensis and sharks fed on prey derived from similar basal resources. However, there was a significant difference in δ13C between M. paradoxus and all other species examined, suggesting that they occupied different feeding niches. Isotope-based population metrics showed narrower trophic ranges in sharks than M. capensis. Carbon and nitrogen ranges indicated that hake fed on a more diverse pool of carbon sources and had generally more enhanced trophic diversity in their feeding patterns than sharks. Among the species considered, C. squamosus occupied a unique isotopic space. Our results supported the hypothesis there are trophic overlaps among these species, but some interesting differentiation was revealed.

© Zoological Society of Southern Africa
Johannes A Iitembu and Nicole B Richoux "Trophic Relationships of Hake (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) and Sharks (Centrophorus squamosus, Deania calcea and D. profundorum) in the Northern (Namibia) Benguela Current region," African Zoology 50(4), 273-279, (1 December 2015). https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2015.1079142
Received: 18 May 2015; Accepted: 30 July 2015; Published: 1 December 2015
KEYWORDS
diet
ecological role
Food web
stable isotopes
standard ellipse area
top predators
trophic niche
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