DIET OF 2 COASTAL NOTOTHENIID FISH FROM TERRA-NOVA BAY, ROSS SEA

An investigation into the feeding habits of two demersal nototheniids, Trematomus bernacchii and T. centronotus, showed that the most import ant prey were polychaetes, molluscs and euphausiids for T bernacchii a nd polychaetes and amphipods for T centronotus. Epifaunal (e.g. Barruk ia cristata) and tube-dwelling polychaetes (Amphicteis cfr. midas and Amythas membranifera) were common in the diet of both species. Bivalvi a including Adamussium colbecki were found in the diet of T bernacchii . Epifaunal gastropods (Trochidae) were an occasional prey for T centr onotus. Amphipods (mainly Acanthonotozomatidae) and the euphausiid Eup hausia frigida were the main crustacean food of T centronotus and T be rnacchii respectively. Our data suggest a difference in the feeding be haviour of the two nototheniid species, although both appear capable o f feeding on common epibenthic invertebrates.