Feeding habits and population aspects of the spotted goatfish, Pseudupeneus maculatus (Perciformes: Mullidae), on the continental shelf of northeast Brazil

espanolEn este estudio se analizaron los habitos alimenticios y aspectos biologicos del salmonete manchado (Pseudupeneus maculatus) frente a la costa brasilena. Para describir los patrones de distribucion se analizo la estructura de tallas y las tasas de captura. El nivel trofico y la dieta alimenticia se determinaron mediante analisis isotopicos de carbono (δ13C) y nitrogeno (δ15N), ademas del contenido estomacal. La composicion de la dieta fue determinada con analisis multivariados e indicadores numericos, como la frecuencia numerica, frecuencia de ocurrencia y el porcentaje del peso. Los resultados indicaron que la talla de primera madurez se encuentra en 13.7 cm. Se observo que la talla media incremento en relacion con el fondo. Por otro lado, la dieta estuvo compuesta por crustaceos, teleosteos y poliquetos, asimismo no se evidenciaron diferencias significativas por tipo de habitats, profundidad y grado de latitud. Los niveles troficos estimados oscilaron entre 3 y 4, determinandose que P. Maculatus se alimento de diversas presas, probablemente debido a su eficiente estrategia de busqueda, clasificandose como depredador zoobentivoro generalista. EnglishThis study provides information about the feeding habits, population aspects and spatial distribution of the spotted goatfish, Pseudupeneus maculatus, along the coast of the tropical Brazilian continental shelf. Distribution patterns are described using length frequencies and catch rates. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N), along with stomach contents, were analysed to determine the diet of the spotted goatfish. Multivariate analysis and numerical indicators of the diet, such as numerical frequency, frequency of occurrence and weight percentage, were computed to evaluate the diet composition. The mean trophic position was defined using both stable isotope ratios and stomach content analysis. The length at first maturity for the species was determined as 13.7 cm. A slight pattern in size distribution was observed, with mean size increasing with depth along the shelf. The diet was mainly composed of crustaceans, teleosts and Polychaeta. No clear dietary difference was found between habitat types, water depth or latitude. Both trophic positions estimated by stable isotopes and stomach contents analysis ranged between levels 3 and 4. P. Maculatus was found to be feeding on many rare and infrequent prey items, classifying it as a generalist zoobenthivorous predator, probably due to its efficient search strategy.