FOOD PARTITIONING IN FOUR SPECIES OF PENAEID PRAWNS IN THE BOLGODA LAGOON SRI LANKA

Abstract

Penaeid prawns of the Bolgoda Lagoon feed on Carldina spp, clams,
Harpacticoid spp, Nerine and Nereis spp fish larvae, diatoms, green
leafy matter and detritus. Their frequency of occurance and the number
of crops containing a particular diet varies from species to species studied.
The overlap co-efficient of food between two species of the same genus is
greater than that of two species of two different genera. vacuity
index of M. ensis indicated seasonality in feeding. The distribution of
prawns in the lagoon has a direct relationship to the benthic fauna
fiand ora.
Key Words: Overlap co-efficient, Vacuity index
Running Title: Food of penaeid prawns.
Jinadasa.