Trophic assessment of three sympatric batoid species in the Southern Gulf of California

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16117
• Publication Date: 2023-09-22T07:28:55Z
• Authors: Arturo Bell Enríq...; Víctor Hugo Cruz-...; José D. Carriquiry; Nicolás R. Ehemann; Paola A. Mejía-Falla; Emigdio Marín-Enr...; Christina Treinen...; José R. Vélez-Tacuri; Andrés F. Navia
• Keywords: Niche differentiation; Niche segregation; Isotope Analysis

The competitive exclusion principle establishes that the coexistence of closely related species requires a certain degree resource partitioning. However, populations have individuals with different morphological or behavioral traits (e.g., maturity stages, sexes, temporal spatial segregation). This interaction often results in multi-level differentiation food preferences and habits. We explored such partitioning between within three batoid species: Hypanus dipterurus, Narcine entemedor, Rhinoptera steindachneri southern Gulf California, Mexico, using combination stomach content (excluding R. steindachneri) stable isotope analyses. found clear H. dipterurus N. where latter exhibited more benthic habitats, supported by greater association to infaunal prey higher δ13C values. Though patterns intra-specific segregation varied among species, there was notable both sex stage maturity, corresponding changes specialization (i.e., isotopic niche breadth) trophic spectrum (varying importance values per group). work is promising step towards understanding dietary dynamics these potentially important feeding area as well biological ecological mechanisms facilitate their coexistence.