FEEDING-HABITS OF THE SPOTTED FLOUNDER CITHARUS-LINGUATULA OFF THE EASTERN COAST OF SPAIN

The composition of the diet of Citharus linguatula (L.) off the coast of the Gulf of Valencia, Spain, was determined between October 1989 an d October 1990. The percentage of empty stomachs remained constant thr oughout the year, except for the period August to September, when a ma ximum was recorded coinciding with the reproductive period. Crustacean s (Mysidacea and Decapoda) and teleosts constituted the main prey. The composition of the prey ingested varied with predator size; small spe cimens contained a greater number of mysids in their stomachs, while d ecapods and fishes were more abundant in the stomachs of larger specim ens. Diets varied seasonally: mysids were more important during autumn , whereas decapods were more important during winter and spring. Fishe s were numerically most important in the diet in summer, but the frequ ency of occurrence was constant throughout the year.