Feeding of Striped Marlin, Kajikia Audax (Philippi 1987), from the Area off the Coast of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Abstract

A total of 111 stomachs with gut contents recovered from 164 striped marlin Kajikia audax caught off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico between October 2002 and June 2003 were examined. Based on the index of relative importance (IRI), two cephalopod species were the most common prey: Dosidicus gigas and Argonauta spp. The smallest marlin fed predominantly on Argonauta spp., while larger specimens primarily consumed D. gigas. Females fed primarily on Argonauta spp. In contrast, males had a more diversified diet that included three primary types of prey: Argonauta spp., D. gigas, and Caranx spp. Striped marlin consumed more jumbo squid during the cold season, and more Argonauta spp. during warmer months. Based on the dietary breadth value, both male and female striped marlin can be considered specialist predators. Trophic overlap was significant between the sexes, and between the 142-158 cm and 159-175 cm postorbital length (PL) size groups and the 176-192 cm and 193-209 cm PL size groups. The results of this study are consistent with those of previous research on striped marlin, and suggest dietary variation based on differences in the size and sex of the organisms as well as the season.