This study was performed on the smoothhound shark :Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus,1758(, during the period between December 2005 and April 2009, in the Eastern Levant along the Syrian coast.
A total of 222 specimens examined (143 females,79 males) discerned: The monthly sampling showed: the Smoothhound shark, M.mustelus were normally caught throughout the year, mainly in spring and summer, at fishing sites from Raas Albassit to Tartus city ( 34º. 40΄and 35º.80΄ N, 35º.70΄and 36º.05΄ E) of the Syrian coast, from shallow water to depth 250 m .
The coefficient of void of total specimens stomachs was high (C.V=61.7%), values were almost equal between males and females, the higher value recorded for adult females (C.V =62.5%).
The prey items belong to three collections: ( Bony fish, Crustaceans, and Mollusks), bony fish occupy the first position for: Coefficient of feeding (Q=1560.4), Frequency of prey index (91.8%), Gravimetric percentage of prey index (C.P=38.6%).
Crustaceans came in the first position for Numerical Percentage of Prey Index (C.N=45.6%). |