Novel insights into the diet of southern stingrays and Caribbean whiptail rays

O’Shea, O., Meadows, M., Wrigglesworth, E., Newton, J. and Hawkes, L. (2020) Novel insights into the diet of southern stingrays and Caribbean whiptail rays. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 655, pp. 157-170. (doi: 10.3354/meps13529)

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Abstract

Caribbean whiptail and southern stingrays are large-bodied mesopredators, occupying shallow, nearshore ecosystems of The Bahamas, yet virtually nothing is known of their diet or potential resource competition. We used stomach content analysis via gastric lavage and stable isotope analysis to investigate the diet of 94 Caribbean whiptail rays Styracura schmardae and 112 southern stingrays Hypanus americanus across 3 locations in the central Bahamas. Gastric lavage was used to identify prey consumed and compared to stable isotope analysis of δ15N, δ13C and δ34S of barb, muscle, blood and skin, representing different temporal integration periods. Both species appeared to consume a majority of crustaceans and annelids, although δ13C values suggested that Caribbean whiptail rays have larger isotopic niche space across isotopes sampled (potentially broader diet) than southern stingrays, ranging from 5.82-3.43‰2, and a greater variance in δ13C. This suggests Caribbean whiptail rays potentially feed on prey from either a wider geographic range or from different habitats. Caribbean whiptail and southern stingrays are known to spatio-temporally overlap, and their isotopic niche overlapped by 35.6%. This study represents the first integrated diet estimate for southern stingrays obtained using multiple techniques, and the first ever diet assessment in Caribbean whiptail rays. These data are critical for conservation of coastal ray species and management of coastal and nearshore environments throughout the region.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newton, Dr Jason
Authors: O’Shea, O., Meadows, M., Wrigglesworth, E., Newton, J., and Hawkes, L.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Marine Ecology Progress Series
Publisher:Inter Research
ISSN:0171-8630
ISSN (Online):1616-1599
Copyright Holders:Copyright © Inter-Research 2020
First Published:First published in Marine Ecology Progress Series 655: 157-170
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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