Dinâmica alimentar do pargo lutjanus purpureus (poey, 1875) capturado na Plataforma Continental Amazônica.

Abstract

Studies on food dynamics are essential for the proper use of a particular fishery resource. The present work aims to describe the digestive tract of the snapper and to analyze the diversity of food that makes up its diet. The study area includes the North continental shelf. The samples were obtained at the landing in the municipality of Bragança from January 1999 to January 2000. A total of 1,844 stomach snapper samples were analyzed throughout the study period, where the standard measurements were withdrawn, the stomach contents weighed and identified each food item found inside the stomach of each species. (28%) of the empty stomachs, (18%) half full, (19%) full and (35%) inside out, of which, (37%) only contained stomach contents. The pargo presented its digestive tract similar to other carnivorous fish, presented a general carnivorous food habit, having fish as an essential food of its diet throughout its life stage, and other food items such as pelagic molluscs, crustaceans and tunicates composing the secondary foods . In addition, the species presented a variation of food items in different phases of their life, noting that when young the pargo has a more diversified food habit. This diversity of food items decreases as the species reaches its first maturation size, since, the snapper tends to feed primarily on fish. With this, this study is a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the food dynamics of the snapper, allowing knowledge about the biology and ecology of the species, as well as understanding its role in the food chain, being able to define strategies for the management, use and conservation of this resource aquatic.