ANNUAL STOMACH CONTENTS OF THE CUTTLEFISH SEPIA OFFICINALIS, L., 1758 FROM THE CENTRAL ALGERIAN COAST

• DOI: 10.37572/EdArt_2810243074

• Palavras-chave: Cuttlefish, diet, prey frequency, diet indices, seasons

• Keywords: Cuttlefish, diet, prey frequency, diet indices, seasons

• Abstract:

  The gastric contents of 284 common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, Linnaeus 1758 (145 females and 139 males) were studied on the basis of sampling carried out at commercial trawl fishing landings in the central region of the Algerian coast during 2011. Based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, this first study carried out in Algeria revealed a list of prey ingested in the natural environment, as well as prey frequency indices and seasonal replenishment indices. The calculation of prey frequencies was used to study variations in diet between the sexes, its seasonal evolution and its variation according to size. Crustaceans and fish were the preferred prey, with a slight predominance of fish for females. Molluscs and worms are secondary prey throughout the year. Females have a higher replenishment index than males. The results of this study are correlated with the cuttlefish's life cycle and sexual maturity.