Trophic spectrum of the sailfishIstiophorus platypteruscaught off Acapulco in the southern Mexican Pacific

• DOI: 10.1017/s0025315412001622
• Publication Date: 2012-11-21T13:48:59Z
• Authors: Sandra Berenice H...; Leonardo Andrés A...; Xchel Gabriel Mor...; Marcial Arellano-...; Eduardo González-...
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 16. Peace & justice; 01 natural sciences

The sailfish Istiophorus platypterus is one of the most common billfish species in Mexican Pacific. Information about its feeding habits coastal region Acapulco, Guerrero extremely limited. In present study we quantified diet sailfish, based on captures made from March 2008 to December 2009 by sport fishing fleet Acapulco. We analysed a total 561 stomachs, which 254 contained food (45%). size interval examined specimens was between 101 and 212 cm postorbital length 15 47 kg weight. general, teleosts were important prey, followed cephalopods. According index relative importance, fish Auxis thazard (63.04%) Fistularia commersonii (6.62%), cephalopod Octopus spp. (4.58%). There no significant differences sex (males females), sexual maturity (immature mature), or season (warm cold seasons). all cases prey A. . conclude that I. off Acapulco behaves as specialist predator because, despite consumption high number items, it feeds preferentially reduced form schools, are available abundant ocean.