RÉSUMÉ
This paper presents the observations of predation by the grouper Epinephelus quoyanus on sea turtle hatchlings in Chagar Hutang bay, Redang Island, Malaysia. Two of the eight collected specimens had hatchlings in their guts, whereas the remaining specimens had empty stomachs. This field report provides an in-depth understanding of the E. quoyanus diet and new insights into its feeding behavior.
Sujet(s)
Comportement prédateur , Tortues , Animaux , Tortues/physiologie , Malaisie , Comportement de nidification , Serran/physiologie , Régime alimentaire/médecine vétérinaire , Perciformes/physiologie , Comportement alimentaire , Contenus gastro-intestinauxRÉSUMÉ
This study reports the discovery of the exclusive predation of sea turtle hatchlings by several juvenile blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in Chagar Hutang bay on Redang Island, Malaysia, in the South China Sea. Three dead specimens of C. melanopterus were retrieved from ghost nets, and the entire digestive tracts of these sharks solely contained the partially digested bodies of sea turtle hatchlings, with no evidence of the remains of any other prey. Thus, juvenile C. melanopterus may opportunistically feed primarily on turtle hatchlings during times when hatchling abundance is high.