Espectro alimentario de Urophycis brasiliensis (Kaup, 1858) (Pisces, Gadidae)

Abstract

The feeding habits of Urophycis brasiliensis, were studied on the basis of stomach analyses of 130 specimens, collected from three different sites in coastal waters of the Departament of Montevideo, Uruguay, on June 26th, September 3 th and November 6th of 1978. These data were completed by a morphological study of the digestive tract, revealing a system adapted for ingesting mobile prey of considerable size, principally benthic organisms and fish. The diet varied with specimens size; smaller individuals chose decapod crustaceans whereas larger ones took fish.