Integrating prey monitoring and stable isotope analysis to assess the diet of Octopus vulgaris in Portuguese coastal water

Seixas, Sónia; Baeta, Alexandra; Marques, João Carlos

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/21494

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Autores

Seixas, Sónia

Baeta, Alexandra

Marques, João Carlos

Resumo(s)

This study explores the feeding ecology of Octopus vulgaris in the Cascais region through a combined approach of long-term prey monitoring and stable isotope analysis. Over several months, we worked with local fishermen to observe and record prey items found in octopus pots and those carried by octopuses at the time of capture. These field observations enabled the identification of key prey species, which were subsequently analysed isotopically to estimate their contribution to the octopus diet. The results show that Atrina fragilis is the main prey, making up about 70 %, followed by Polybius henslowii (18 %), with Cymbium olla and Cepola macrophthalma contributing smaller amounts. Our findings highlight the limitations of traditional stomach content analysis, which often underestimates soft-bodied or highly digested prey, and emphasise the importance of isotopic methods to provide a more comprehensive and long-term view of trophic interactions. This integrated approach enhances our understanding of O. vulgaris feeding strategies and has significant implications for ecological research and the sustainable management of fisheries in the region.

Palavras-chave

Octopus vulgaris Feeding ecology Stable isotope analysis Prey selection Trophic interaction Marine food web Trophic level estimation

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/21494

Citação

Seixas, S., Baeta, A., & Marques, J. C. (2026). Integrating prey monitoring and stable isotope analysis to assess the diet of Octopus vulgaris in Portuguese coastal waters. Fisheries Research, 293, 107649.