Relação entre o comprimento padrão e a probabilidade de ocorrência de itens alimentares em Serrasalmus maculatus

Fish diets may vary throughout development, reflecting changes in the use of food resources. This study evaluated the relationship between standard length and diet composition in Serrasalmus maculatus from Lagoa da Saudade, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 77 stomachs were analyzed, with dietary items recorded as presence or absence, and the influence of standard length on the probability of occurrence of each item was investigated. Diet composition varied significantly as a function of standard length (Wald = 5.85; p = 0.018). Larger individuals had a higher probability of occurrence of Odonata and Nematoda, whereas the occurrence of fish fins was more likely in smaller individuals. These results provide evidence of changes in resource use throughout the development of S. maculatus.