Individual dietary specialization reduces intraspecific competition, rather than feeding activity, in black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis)

Individual specialization and high plasticity in feeding activity are common in natural populations. However, the role of these two in intraspecific competition is unclear. In this study, the rhythm of feeding activity, dietary composition, niche width, niche overlap, and individual specialization was explored in four different size groups of black amur bream ( Megalobrama terminalis ), using microscopic identification of foregut contents and stable isotope analysis ( δ 13 C and δ 15 N) of dorsal muscle. Both methods observed ontogenetic shifts in dietary preference and individual specializations, and revealed that the total niche width of large individuals was greater than small individuals. Mixed linear models indicated that feeding activity was significantly influenced by time ( p