A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON FEEDING PREFERENCE OF THE MUSKY OCTOPUS, Eledone moschata, (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) IN IZMIR BAY, AEGEAN SEA
Halil EN
The aim of the preliminary study was to determine the feeding preference of the musky octo-pus (Eledone moschata) from its natural habitats. A total of 471 specimens were measured and their fully or partially full stomachs were fixed in 6% formaldehyde, and then analyzed in the laboratory. The degree of stomach fullness was estimated from 471 individuals, their capture times were precisely known (369 stomachs at 09:00 in morning; 102 stomachs at 12:00 in mid-day). Stomach contents were examined microscopically and prey categories could be identified in higher taxonomic level. Analysis of stomach contents showed that the musky octopus fed principally on crustaceans.
