Feeding habits of juvenile fishes belonging to three medusivorous species (Centrolophidae and Nomeidae) from the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea).

The feeding habits of juvenile fishes belonging to three medusivorous species (Centrolophidae and Nomeidae) from the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean) during 2009–2010 and 2012 are reported. Individuals were collected after stranding along the shore and their diets were investigated by stomach content analysis. YoungSchedophilus medusophagusshowed a specialist predation on Scyphozoa, based on a strict trophic relationship withPelagia noctiluca. This jellyfish was also found in the stomach contents of juvenileCentrolophus niger, but in this case was not the dominant prey, as juveniles of this predator fed mainly on chaetognaths and crustaceans (primarily amphipods). YoungCubiceps gracilisprimarily fed on chaethognaths, with occasional foraging on copepods and annelids, while no traces of medusae were recorded. The competition amongC. gracilisandC. nigerfor chaetognath food resources was likely mitigated by timing differences in occurrences of these species, probably reflecting seasonal variations in reproductive period and recruitment. The high trophic specialization ofS. medusophagusas jellyfish feeders make this predator one of the most efficient key species involved in the control of jellyfish populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]