Integrative taxonomy of deepsea shrimp Aristeus alcocki Ramadan, 1938 (Family: Aristeidae) resources along the southern coast of India

Purushothaman, P (2018) Integrative taxonomy of deepsea shrimp Aristeus alcocki Ramadan, 1938 (Family: Aristeidae) resources along the southern coast of India. Doctoral thesis, ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

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Abstract

The findings of this present study forms the first report on the feeding ecology of the deep water shrimp, A.alcocki from the Arabian Sea. Gut content analysis revealed that the species consumes highly diversified diet and feeds largely on invertebrates, crustaceans (Amphipods, euphausiids), foraminiferans, molluscs from the benthic substrate and to a lesser extent on mesopelagic fishes having seasonal fluctuations. Females are found to be effective feeders (feeding intensity and fullness) in comparison with males. The results of the present study indicate the quantitative criteria for the determination of major prey taxa which in turn addresses the need for the development of spatial management plans in this species. Major factors that drive the seasonal variation in the feeding strategy of this species, due to the increased energy requirements related to the availability of food in the marine habitat, ontogenetic and sexual developments. The bigger size of the animal with good swimming capability helps in the selection of prey, while the smaller individuals depend on the epibenthic organisms for their food.

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