Abstract

Gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) is one of the grouper species which support major commercial fishery in the Yucatan Peninsula and the southwestern of United States. Despite its economical importance, information on its biology, juvenile phases and feeding habits in Mexican waters are scarce. Therefore this work intends give more information on the feeding habits of juvenile gag. To achieve this goal, an 18-month study was carried out during 2000 and 2001 along the northern coast of Quintana Roo, at a location know as Punta Caracol. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were realized from the stomach content of 406 juvenile gag (TL: 65 – 380 mm) to determine percentage number (N), percentage weight (W), frequency of occurrence (F) and feeding coefficient (Q) for each category of identified prey. Crustacean were the dominant items in the diet of M. microlepis (N= 91.86%, W= 48.10%, F= 0.683 and Q= 4418.52) followed by fishes as secondary prey (N= 7.79%; W= 46.43%; F= 0.127 y Q= 367.083). Comparisons of the composition of stomach content, in relation to the size of juvenile, were done. Schoener’s index showed significant differences in the diet composition between size classes. As juvenile gag grew, their diet shifted from crustacean to fish

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