Abstract:

Reef fish were sampled at natural reef sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Stomachs were removed from fish and fixed in 10% formalin for at least 48 hours, then was transferred to 70% isopropyl alcohol for preservation. Diet composition analysis was performed by identifying stomach contents to the lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerating them with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Samples were sorted by prey type and a wet mass was obtained for each prey type. The samples were then placed in an oven to dry for 48 hours at 60°C, after which dry mass (g) was obtained.

Suggested Citation:

Patterson III, William F, Joseph Tarnecki, and Charles Jagoe. 2015. Gut content data from reef fishes sampled at natural reefs sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico from November 2010 – August 2011. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7XS5SBM

Purpose:

To examine reef fish diet and feeding ecology following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Data Parameters and Units:

Sample ID (unique sample identifier), Date (date sample collected), Species (common name) [Amberjack, Leopard Toadfish, Albacore, Snapper, Triggerfish, Scamp, Porgy, Bigeye, Tomtate, Hind, Creole fish, Bass, Perch, Pigfish, Drum, Scorpionfish, Grouper, Tilefish, Hake, Lizardfish, Flounder, Mackerel], Site (reef name), TL (total length mm), Stomach Mass (g), Prey type (number and mass of each prey taxon) [Portunis spinacarpus, Prionotus evolans, Raninoides louisianensis, Rhodophora rock, Rhombloplites aurorubens, Sargassum sp., Shell Hash, Scyllaridae larvae, Scyllaridae, Sciaenidae, Selar crumenophthalmus, Serranidae, Sergestidae, Sessilia, Sicyonia brevirostris, Sphaeroma quadridentata, Sphyraena barracuda, Squilla empusa, Squilla larva, Squilla sp., Squillidae, Stenocionops spinimanus, Stenopodidael, Stenotomus caprinus, Stomatopoda, Stomatopoda larva, Synodontidae, Teleost, Teleost Bone, Thecosomata, Trematoda, Trichiurus sp., Triglidae , Tunicata, Turbellaria, Unidentifiable Fish, Gastropoda, Invertebrata, Unknown Zooplankton, Urophycis floridana, Urophycis sp., Worm Tubes].

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