Observations on the diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum (Bonnaterre), on Heron Island Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Mr. Heupel et Mb. Bennett, Observations on the diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum (Bonnaterre), on Heron Island Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, MAR FRESH R, 49(7), 1998, pp. 753-756
The diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum,
were investigated through stomach content analysis. Five groups of prey it
ems were found. The index of relative importance showed worms and crabs,to
be of greatest value at 51.3% and 40.1% respectively. The three minor prey
groups were shrimps (7.7%), small fishes (0.7%) and amphipods (0.3%). Epaul
ette sharks tend to be crepuscular, although feeding bouts may occur at any
time. They appear to be opportunistic predators, using olfaction and elect
roreception in prey capture. This species appears to be an important benthi
c predator in the reef flat environment on Heron Island Reef.