Gut Content Analysis and Selective Feeding Behavior of the Asiatic Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) in Marudu Bay
Admodisastro et al., V. (2023). Gut Content Analysis and Selective Feeding Behavior of the Asiatic Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) in Marudu Bay. EKB Journal Management System, 27(5), 939-957. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.323487
Vienna A. Admodisastro et al.. "Gut Content Analysis and Selective Feeding Behavior of the Asiatic Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) in Marudu Bay". EKB Journal Management System, 27, 5, 2023, 939-957. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.323487
Admodisastro et al., V. (2023). 'Gut Content Analysis and Selective Feeding Behavior of the Asiatic Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) in Marudu Bay', EKB Journal Management System, 27(5), pp. 939-957. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.323487
Admodisastro et al., V. Gut Content Analysis and Selective Feeding Behavior of the Asiatic Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) in Marudu Bay. EKB Journal Management System, 2023; 27(5): 939-957. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.323487

Gut Content Analysis and Selective Feeding Behavior of the Asiatic Hard Clam Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) in Marudu Bay

Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
Article 54, Volume 27, Issue 5, September and October 2023, Page 939-957  XML PDF (942.53 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.323487
View on SCiNiTO View on SCiNiTO
Author
Vienna A. Admodisastro et al.
Abstract
This study investigated the feeding behavior of the Asiatic hard clam, Meretrix meretrix, an important species in the artisanal fishery and commonly found in Sabah's coastal waters. The study aimed to identify the clam's primary diet and the environmental parameters that influence its feeding selection in its natural habitat. Sampling was monthly conducted for ten months, during which clam samples, environmental parameters, water samples, phytoplankton, and zooplankton were collected. Gut content analysis of 250 clams revealed that phytoplankton and zooplankton were the main food sources, representing 80.9% and 19.1% of the total food particles, respectively. Diatoms were the most common food particles ingested by the clams, while dinoflagellates only contributed a minor proportion of the total phytoplankton. The results of the dendrogram similarity analysis indicated significant differences in phytoplankton composition between gut and water samples. The one-way ANOSIM analysis indicated significant differences for all months, with an overall average R of 0.717 and P<0.001. Furthermore, the PERMANOVA following DistLM revealed that phytoplankton cell density, phytoplankton diversity, chlorophyll-a, and salinity significantly influenced the clam's particle selection process (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of feeding behavior and the dietary preferences that can be utilized for the conservation of fishing grounds and enhancement of aquaculture production of the clam. 
Keywords
Meretrix meretrix; Feeding behavior; Phytoplankton; Zooplankton; Environmental factors
Statistics
Article View: 116
PDF Download: 187