Influence of morphology and amphibious life‐style on the feeding ecology of the mudskipper Periophthalmus argentilineatus

Abstract

The potential feeding advantages that are offered to the barred mudskipper Periophthalmus argentilineatus by its amphibious life-style were investigated. To this end the feeding ecology of these fish, the position they occupy in the mangrove food web and the importance of different morphological factors for their diet were studied. Analysis of gut contents showed that the major component of the barred mudskipper diet changes during growth from small crustaceans (e.g. copepods and amphipods) to polychaetes to mangrove crabs. This dietary shift was found to be facilitated through enlargement of the mouth, as well as elongation of the gut. The use of stable isotope analysis revealed that barred mudskippers had a similar trophic position as other zoobenthivore fish species, but that their diet did not appear to be affected by competition for food with other zoobenthivores. The amphibious habits of the barred mudskipper provide specific advantages to its feeding ecology, such as access to an abundant food source of mangrove crabs, which are mostly inaccessible for other fish species.

The habitat function of mangroves for terrestrial and marine fauna: A review

“…A special group of fish species found in mangroves are the mudskippers (family Periophthalmidae) which occupy a specialised niche in the intertidal zone. They are physiologically and morphologically adapted to an amphibious existence in this zone with highly variable environmental conditions (Clayton, 1993), and they are able to dwell on exposed mudflats when other fish species are forced to retreat to deeper waters with outgoing tides (Kruitwagen et al, 2007).…”

Short Communication: Density and length-weight relationship of mudskipper (Periophthalmus spp.) in the mangrove area of Kairatu Beach, Maluku, Indonesia

“…P. argentilineatus ways of life cause a large number of individuals to be found in the mangrove area of Kairatu beach. In addition, the dominance of P. argentilineatus in the mangrove areas is affected by the presence of food in the form of mangrove crabs (Kruitwagen et al 2007).…”

Evolution of the Cardiorespiratory System in Air-Breathing Fishes

“…Species of Periophthalmus and Periophthalmodon are usually more terrestrial, whilst Boleophthalmus and Scartelaos are more aquatic; neither of the latter two ventures far from water pools on an exposed mudflat during low tide and both appear to reside in their burrows during high tide, when the burrow openings are covered by the tide (Milward 1974;Zhang et al 2000Zhang et al , 2003Lee et al 2005). Of the four mudskipper genera, species of Periophthalmodon and Periophthalmus are purely carnivorous (Sponder and Lauder 1981;Kruitwagen et al 2007;Kutschera et al 2008), whereas Boleophthalmus species are exclusively herbivorous (Yang et al 2003). Less is known about the feeding habits of Scartelaos, but Milward (1974) reported them to be omnivorous.…”