Feeding habits of Engraulis anchoita (Hubbs Marini, 1935) larvae in coastal waters off Buenos Aires Province, Argentina/Habitos alimentarios de las larvas de Engraulis anchoita (Hubbs Marini, 1935) en las aguas costeras de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

The diet of Engraulis anchoita larvae (Hubbs & Marini, 1935) was analyzed using samples collected once a month at a permanent coastal station off Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (Station EPEA), from March 2000 to April 2001. A total of 869 individuals were examined. Eggs (54.05%), copepod nauplii (10.13%), and copepodites (11.82%) were the dominant prey items. The feeding index varied from 1.69 to 40.48%, without showing a clear seasonal pattern. Correlations between predator size and prey size were determined and the results showed significant relationships (P < 0.01) in all cases. In spring and summer, the larvae were small in size, corresponding to first-feeding larvae (< 6.9 mm length) and preyed mainly on small organisms from < 45 to 134 width. In autumn and winter, the size of the larvae increased (7.0-19.9 mm length), and they fed mainly on larger prey, from 135 to 279 width.