plSSN : 0374-8111 | elSSN : 2287-8815
plSSN : 0374-8111 | elSSN : 2287-8815
plSSN : 0374-8111elSSN : 2287-8815
Comparative Feeding Ecology of Four Saurida Species in the South Seaof Korea
박현솔·김현지·윤상철·권대현·손호선·백근욱1·김도균*
국립수산과학원 수산자원연구센터, 1경상국립대학교 해양생명과학과
The feeding ecology of four Saurida species (Saurida macrolepis, Saurida elongata, Saurida wanieso, and Saurida microlepis) in the South Sea of Korea was investigated using stomach content analysis. Samples were collected between 2020 and 2025 using a bottom trawl. Dietary composition was analyzed using frequency of occurrence (%F), numerical composition (%N), wet weight composition (%W), and index of relative importance (%IRI). Differences in dietary composition among species were evaluated using permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), multidimensional scaling, and similarity percentages based on the weight percentage (%W) of identified fish prey. All four species showed strong piscivorous feeding habits, with fish accounting for more than 95% of total IRI. Major prey species were Engraulis japonicus, Trichiurus japonicus, Scomber japonicus, and Trachurus japonicus. PERMANOVA revealed significant differences in dietary composition among species and seasons (P<0.05) but not among areas. Estimated trophic levels were 4.12-4.68, indicating that all four species occupied high trophic positions. These findings provide baseline information on the feeding ecology of Saurida species in the South Sea of Korea and a basis for evaluating future changes in prey composition and food web structure.
Feeding ecology, Saurida spp., South Sea