Publication Abstract

The comparative feeding ecology of six species of shark and four species of ray (Elasmobranchii) in the north-east Atlantic

J.R. Ellis, M.G. Pawson and S.E. Shackley

The stomach contents of ten species of elasmobranch from the north-eastern Atlantic indicate that most are generalist predators, eating a variety of polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans and teleosts. Two species, Mustelus asterias and Squatina squatina were found to be specialist feeders, consuming portunid crabs and pleuronectids, respectively. Measures for both dietary breadth and dietary overlap are given and the implications of elasmobranch predation on the prey communities and on commercial species are discussed.

Reference:

J.R. Ellis, M.G. Pawson and S.E. Shackley, 1996. The comparative feeding ecology of six species of shark and four species of ray (Elasmobranchii) in the north-east Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, 76: 89-106.