FOOD RESOURCE UTILIZATION AMONG 5 SPECIES OF EMBIOTOCIDS AT KING-HARBOR, CALIFORNIA, WITH PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES OF CALORIC INTAKE

The diets of 5 spp. of embiotocids (Rhacochilus vacca, Embiotoca jacksoni, Hypsurus caryi, Phanerodon furcatus and Micrometrus minimus) from King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California, USA, are examined by a dietary survey, field feeding observations and bomb calorimetry of prey items. Each species has statistically different diets from all others, with the exception of H. caryi which apparently is a dietary intermediate between E. jacksoni and P. furcatus. Dietary overlap between E. jacksoni and H. caryi apparently resulted in some competitive exclusion along other niche parameters. Estimated caloric intakes suggest that R. vacca has the highest caloric yield per bite and the lowest feeding rate of the species studied. Possible energetic advantages are found for diet specialization in R. vacca. [A caloric model is presented.].