Trophic Structure of One Deep-sea Benthic Fish Community in the Eastern Canadian Arctic: Application of Food, Parasites and Multivariate Analysis

Synopsis As new arctic marine fisheries develop there is need for a comprehensive ecosystem approach to long-term management. This approach recognizes the importance of community interactions such as food web structure and trophic patterns. We determined whether hierarchical clustering (guild formation) is an effective method of trophic evaluation in deep-sea Artic fish communities using stomach content and parasite data with size class, and evaluated the application of endohelminth communities (parasite species transmitted in the food) as indicators of trophic status. Cluster analysis using food group abundance with size class of fish revealed the presence of 11 guilds within the community, however the same analysis using parasite data showed little correlation between food and parasites. Redundancy analysis (RDA) within the 11 guilds also revealed no significant correlations between food group and parasite abundance suggesting that this type of ordination is not suited for environments containing mainly generalist feeders. RDA of individual taxa without a priori guild designation found that taxa in benthic deep-sea communities are defined by their ability to exploit prey species in more than one habitat zone. Benthic fish species were significantly correlated with benthic food groups and parasites that utilize benthic intermediate hosts whereas benthopelagic–pelagic species fed on a higher diversity of prey species and were infected by a larger number of non-host specific parasites. Eigenanalysis and Monte Carlo results showed that parasites and food groups are highly correlated, indicating that parasite community analysis is an effective tool for predicting feeding strategies in Arctic marine environments. It also suggests that in most cases endoparasite infections alone could be used for trophic evaluation in the absence of stomach content data.     

Feeding habits and seasonal trophic guilds structuring fish community in the bay mouth region of a tropical estuarine habitat

Understanding trophic relationships of fish in estuarine ecosystem is an important element for sustainable resource management. This study examined the feeding habits of 29 dominant fish species, characterized the trophic guilds, assessed the impact of season and clarified the role of diets in structuring the fish community in the mouth region of Pattani Bay, Thailand. Samples of 5792 fishes collected monthly by gillnets from March 2019 to February 2020 were used for stomach content analyses. It was found that the number of food types and fullness index differed between fish taxa (P < 0.001). Most fishes were specialist feeders feeding on specific food components and were categorized into five trophic guilds: piscivore, shrimp-fish feeder, polychaete feeder, zooplanktivore and planktivore. Six species were piscivorous, considered as apex predators, that fed almost entirely on fishes. High diet overlaps among some species (>0.6) were recorded. Not much variation in seasonal guilds was observed: four guilds in the dry season, three in the moderate rainy season and four in the rainy season. Some species remained in the same guild the whole year round, but some fishes changed seasonally. Two fish communities from different regions of the bay were segregated based on feeding habits. The inner bay community comprised mainly copepod and plankton feeders, but there were more piscivores in the deeper bay mouth area. Results from this study help us to understand the feeding habits and trophic guilds of dominant fish species at the mouth of this tropical estuarine bay.     

莱州湾鱼类群落同功能种团的季节变化

利用2011年5月、8月、10月和12月底拖网调查数据,对莱州湾海域鱼类同功能种团特征及其季节变化进行了研究。全年调查共渔获鱼类49种,全部为硬骨鱼类。根据鱼类的摄食习性,调查海域鱼类可划分为浮游动物食性种团、浮游动物/底栖动物食性种团、底栖动物食性种团、底栖动物/游泳动物食性种团、游泳动物食性种团、杂食性种团和碎屑食性种团共7个同功能种团,其中底栖动物食性种团种类数最多(14种),底栖动物/游泳动物食性种团次之(12种)。碎屑食性种团生物量在全年处于第一优势地位,占32.8%;其次为浮游动物食性种团,占31.6%;再次为底栖动物/游泳动物食性种团,占25.0%。同功能种团多样性(HFD)和种类多样性(Hs)季节变化趋势相同,均在夏季达到最高值,冬季达到最低值;两者关系使用指数方程拟合效果最佳。浮游动物食性种团平均营养级为3.71、浮游动物/底栖动物食性种团为3.83、底栖动物食性种团为3.43、底栖动物/游泳动物食性种团为3.75、游泳动物食性种团为3.86、杂食性种团为3.73、碎屑食性种团为3.34。与20世纪80年代、90年代调查结果相比,目前莱州湾碎屑食性种团比例明显上升,游泳动物食性种团比例大幅下;底栖动物食性种团和游泳动物食性种团的平均营养级明显下降,碎屑食性种团平均营养级有所上升。     

Diets and trophic‐guild structure of a diverse fish assemblage in Chesapeake Bay,U.S.A.

Dietary habits and trophic‐guild structure were examined in a fish assemblage (47 species) of the Chesapeake Bay estuary, U.S.A., using 10 years of data from >25 000 fish stomachs. The assemblage was comprised of 10 statistically significant trophic guilds that were principally differentiated by the relative amounts of Mysida, Bivalvia, Polychaeta, Teleostei and other Crustacea in the diets. These guilds were broadly aggregated into five trophic categories: piscivores, zooplanktivores, benthivores, crustacivores and miscellaneous consumers. Food web structure was largely dictated by gradients in habitat (benthic to pelagic) and prey size. Size classes within piscivorous species were more likely to be classified into different guilds, reflecting stronger dietary changes through ontogeny relative to benthivores and other guilds. Relative to predator species and predator size, the month of sampling had negligible effects on dietary differences within the assemblage. A majority of sampled fishes derived most of their nutrition from non‐pelagic prey sources, suggesting a strong coupling of fish production to benthic and demersal food resources. Mysida (predominantly the opossum shrimp Neomysis americana) contributed substantially to the diets of over 25% of the sampled predator groups, indicating that this species is a critical, but underappreciated, node in the Chesapeake Bay food web.     

Trophic structure of a coastal fish community determined with diet and stable isotope analyses

A combination of dietary guild analysis and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C) stable‐isotope analysis was used to assess the trophic structure of the fish community in Rhode Island and Block Island Sounds, an area off southern New England identified for offshore wind energy development. In the autumn of 2009, 2010 and 2011, stomach and tissue samples were taken from 20 fish and invertebrate species for analysis of diet composition and δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C signatures. The food chain in Rhode Island and Block Island Sounds comprises approximately four trophic levels within which the fish community is divided into distinct dietary guilds, including planktivores, benthivores, crustacivores and piscivores. Within these guilds, inter‐species isotopic and dietary overlap is high, suggesting that resource partitioning or competitive interactions play a major role in structuring the fish community. Carbon isotopes indicate that most fishes are supported by pelagic phytoplankton, although there is evidence that benthic production also plays a role, particularly for obligate benthivores such as skates Leucoraja spp. This type of analysis is useful for developing an ecosystem‐based approach to management, as it identifies species that act as direct links to basal resources as well as species groups that share trophic roles.     

Using fish guilds to assess community responses to temperature and flow regimes in unregulated and regulated Canadian rivers

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Seasonal and spatial variations of fish trophic guilds in a shallow,semi-enclosed tropical estuarine bay

A study on seasonal and spatial variations of feeding habits and trophic guilds of dominant fish species in Pattani Bay during March 2003 to February 2004 was aimed at classifying diet composition, identifying dominant food components of each species, categorizing trophic guilds of the community and evaluating effects of habitat characteristics and seasonality on guild organization. Most fishes showed high food intake, fed on a diverse range of food items but relied heavily on calanoid copepods and shrimps. All species, with the exception of Epinephelus coioides, were classified as specialist feeders. Four main dietary guilds were classified. Three of these were classified as the guilds dominated by at least two major food items. Significant variations in trophic guilds of 28 fish species based on habitat types and seasons were also identified. They could be divided into three seasonal groups and three site-groups and a single site. Trophic organization for each season and habitat ranged from two to four groups. This information identifies groups of fishes that seasonally and spatially utilize different food resources within a semi-enclosed estuarine bay ecosystem.     

Mice on menu: opportunistic feeding behaviour of the Amazonian silver arowana Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Two silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, one male (49.5 cm standard length, L_S) and one female (52.5 cm L_S) that had fed on small‐eared colilargo or small‐eared pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys microtis, were sampled during the rising water period in the Brazilian Amazon. The identified prey were 6 and 8 cm long and occupied the entire stomachs of both individuals. This opportunistic feeding behaviour appears to be a strategy for this fish to acquire nutrients during times when its usual aquatic prey is dispersed throughout the flooded forest.     

Investigating trophic‐level variability in Celtic Sea fish predators

The trophic level (T_L) mean and variance, and the degree of omnivory for five Celtic Sea fish predators were estimated using a database of stomach content records characterized by a high level of taxonomic resolution. The predators occupied a high position in the food web, i.e. 4·75 for Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, 4·44 for haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, 4·88 for European hake Merluccius merluccius, 5·00 for megrim Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and 5·27 for whiting Merlangius merlangus. The level of taxonomic resolution of the prey did not greatly affect mean T_L predator values; an effect on variance was evident, low resolution masking intra‐population variability in T_L. Generalized additive models (GAM) were used to explain the variability of predator T_L caused by environmental variables (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, division and season) and predator characteristics (total length, L_T). Significant year, location season and interaction effects were found for some species and with L_T at the scale of ICES subdivision. The species‐specific variability of T_L could be due to spatio‐temporal variations in prey availability and in predator selectivity following ontogenetic changes. Omnivorous fish T_L was less affected by spatio‐temporal variations. In addition, results showed that the omnivory index and T_L variability provide dissimilar information on predator feeding strategy. Combining information on T_L variability and omnivory allowed between within‐individual and between‐individual components contributing to trophic niche width to be separated and the type of generalization of fish predators to be identified.     

Diet composition and trophic guild structure of fish assemblage in headwaters of the Chishui River,a tributary of the upper Yangtze River,China

In this study, the diet composition and trophic structure of the fish assemblage in the headwaters of the Chishui River were investigated. A total of 1677 fish specimens belonging to 14 species were collected and dissected. Of these specimens, 1063 individuals with undigested food in their stomachs or guts were used for analysis. Our analysis identified thirty-one kinds of prey, which were classified into eight categories, namely, diatoms, chlorophytes, other vegetable prey, aquatic insects, mollusks, other invertebrates, fishes, and unidentified organic matters. Among these categories, diatoms were the most important prey for this fish assemblage. With an ontogenetic dietary shift, the 14 species were subdivided into 16 predator groups, which were categorized into five trophic guilds, namely, algivore (diatoms), algivore (chlorophytes), omnivore, aquatic insectivore, and piscivore. Their diet composition significantly differed from one guild to another (p?<?0.05), and an evident overlap was observed in the diet spectrum between predator group in the algivore (diatoms) guild. These results suggested that autochthonous organic carbon was an important nutrient source for the fish assemblage in the headwaters of the Chishui River rather than allochthonous nutrients. For the protection of the fish resources, conservation efforts on the river substratum and the riparian zone in the headwaters of the Chishui River should be prioritized because these places are the main nutrient sources.     

Standardized diet compositions and trophic levels of skates (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei)

Skates by virtue of their abundance and widespread occurrence appear to play an influential role in the food webs of demersal marine communities. However, few quantitative dietary studies have been conducted on this elasmobranch group. Therefore, to better understand the ecological role of skates, standardized diet compositions and trophic level (TL) values were calculated from quantitative studies, and compared within and among skate and shark taxa. Prey items were grouped into 11 general categories to facilitate standardized diet composition and TL calculations. Trophic level values were calculated for 60 skate species with TL estimates ranging from 3.48 to 4.22 (mean TL = 3.80 ± 0.02 SE). Standardized diet composition results revealed that decapods and fishes were the main prey taxa of most skate species followed by amphipods and polychaetes. Correspondingly, cluster analysis of diet composition data revealed four major trophic guilds, each dominated by one of these prey groups. Fish and decapod guilds were dominant comprising 39 of 48 species analyzed. Analysis of skate families revealed that the Arhynchobatidae and Rajidae had similar TL values of 3.86 and 3.79 (t-test, P = 0.27), respectively. The Anacanthobatidae were represented by a single species, Cruriraja parcomaculata, with a TL of 3.53. Statistical comparison of TL values calculated for five genera (Bathyraja, Leucoraja, Raja, Rajella, Rhinoraja) revealed a significant difference between Bathyraja and Rajella (t-test, P = 0.03). A positive correlation was observed between TL and total length (L _T) with larger skates (e.g. >100 cm L _T) tending to have a higher calculated TL value (>3.9). Skates were found to occupy TLs similar to those of several co-occurring demersal shark families including the Scyliorhinidae, Squatinidae, and Triakidae. Results from this study support recent assertions that skates utilize similar resources to those of other upper trophic-level marine predators, e.g. seabirds, marine mammals, and sharks. These preliminary findings will hopefully encourage future research into the trophic relationships and ecological impact of these interesting and important demersal predators.     

Feeding ecology of juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus and flounder Pleuronectes flesus at Gotland, Central Baltic Sea

Food and feeding of juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus and flounder Pleuronectes flesus were studied in five nursery areas at Gotland, Central Baltic Sea, ICES SD 27 and SD 28. Ontogeny involved partitioning of available food resources. The food choice of turbot <30 mm standard length (L_S) included both planktonic‐hyperbenthic prey (calanoid copepods and mysids) and epibenthic–endobenthic prey (chironomids and amphipods), whereas turbot ≥30 mm L_S fed mainly on hyperbenthic species (mysids and fishes). Conversely, for flounder, epibenthic–endobenthic prey were the most abundant prey items throughout development (harpactocoid copepods, oligochaetes and chironomids for fish <40 mm L_S and oligochaetes, chironomids and amphipods for flounder ≥40 mm L_S). Thus, the highest degree of dietary overlap occurred between turbot <30 mm and flounder ≥40 mm. Food composition for both turbot and flounder varied, however, according to exposure and predominant wind direction in the nursery area. For example, expressed as the ratio between the biomass of mysids and fishes consumed, the relative importance of mysids v. fishes as food source for turbot, varied from <1 in the most sheltered area to 16 and 27 in the more open areas. Considerable differences in feeding incidence were recorded; mean ±s .d . 58 ± 20% for turbot <30 mm L_S and 83 ± 8% for turbot ≥30 mm L_S, as opposed to ≥85–90% for flounder irrespective of size. The lower feeding success of turbot <30 mm L_S was related to mysid abundance, shown to vary spatially and temporally, and to density of flounder, indicating that food availability, and potentially interspecific competition, influence feeding of early juvenile turbot with implications for survival following settlement. Regarding variability in abundance, hyperbenthic prey, as mysids, are considered more variable than epi‐ and endobenthic organisms. Hence, in addition to the ‘nursery size hypothesis’, i.e. the positive relationship between abundance of recruits and extension of nursery areas, variability in food availability may explain the average lower recruitment of turbot as compared to other flatfishes, e.g. flounder.     

Stable isotope analysis reveals ontogenetic feeding shifts in Pacific blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) off eastern Taiwan

To gain a better understanding of the trophic ecology of Pacific blue marlin Makaira nigricans off eastern Taiwan, nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) and Bayesian mixing models were used to explore trophic dynamics and potential ontogenetic feeding shifts across M. nigricans of different size classes. Makaira nigricans samples from east of Taiwan (n = 213) and Palau (n = 37), as well as their prey (n = 70), were collected during 2012 and 2013. Results indicated increases in δ¹⁵N with size, with values of larger size classes (> 200 cm eye-to-fork length; L_EF) significantly higher than those < 200 cm L_EF. Values of δ¹³C were negatively correlated with size. Makaira nigricans > 200 cm L_EF had the highest estimated trophic position (4.44) and also exhibited ontogenetic changes in trophic position. Large M. nigricans fed more on dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus and hairtail Trichiurus lepturus, while smaller M. nigricans consumed smaller forage fish (e.g., moonfish Mene maculata) and cephalopods. These changes may relate to greater swimming speeds and vertical habitat use in larger M. nigricans, allowing capture and consumption of larger prey items at higher trophic positions. The high trophic level of M. nigricans east of Taiwan confirms its important role as an apex predator in marine food webs and how ecological role changes with size.     

Food partitioning among carnivores within feeding guild structure of fishes inhabiting a mudflat ecosystem of Indian Sundarbans

The present study was aimed to determine dietary composition and feeding guild structure of the fishes inhabiting mudflat habitat of Indian Sundarbans. In addition, partitioning of food resources by the fish species belonging to the carnivorous feeding guild was also performed to understand the survival strategies of fish in a mudflat estuarine habitat. Seventeen prey categories were isolated from the stomachs of 31 studied fish species. Overall, five feeding guilds (viz. plankti-benthivore: 12 species, herbivore: one species, detritivore: three species, omnivore: one species and carnivore: 14 species) were identified on the basis of the prey abundance within their stomachs, considering 64 % Bray–Curtis similarity. Among the carnivorous, maximum trophic richness was obtained for Uroconger lepturus followed by Ophichthus apicalis. Teleost and decapods were the main animal prey items preferred by majority of the carnivorous fishes. However, O. apicalis and Terapon jarbua showed their preference toward maximum number of prey categories among carnivores, which was also ratified by the high values for standardized niche breadth presented by them. The maximum degree of interspecific dietary overlap was found between Uropterygius marmoratus and Pseudapocryptes elongatus as both of them were recognized as cranci-piscivore. The lowest was observed between Hyporhamphus limbatus and Coilia neglecta. As food resources are not limiting in the mudflats of Indian Sundarbans, the general patterns of resource partitioning and niche differentiation in resident ecological communities will improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying species coexistence and community structure.     

Feeding guilds and food resource partitioning in a lake fish assemblage: an ontogenetic approach

Ontogenetic diet patterns and trophic guild structure of a 15 species temperate lake fish assemblage were analysed over wide size intervals (up to seven orders of magnitude in body mass), representing practically the whole life span in most species. A two-step objective clustering technique supplemented with other multivariate statistical tools proved that size-related diet changes clearly played an important role in structuring trophic organization of fishes inhabiting Lake Balaton. As many as 13 out of the 15 fish species showed marked size-related dietary changes with two to four ontogenetic feeding stages. At the assemblage level, 11 trophic guilds were separated. Guild membership was size-dependent in 11 fish species that participated in two to four trophic guilds during their life span. The most complex trophic ontogeny was observed in roach Rutilus rutilus and asp Aspius aspius with four guild memberships. This study showed that trophic status of fishes may be very size-sensitive and thus a universal classification of fish species to general trophic guilds, such as 'planktivore', 'benthivore', 'piscivore' or 'herbivore', should be applied very carefully even in environmental monitoring and fisheries management applications, unless it is supported by relevant results of life span diet analyses.     

Changes in trophic level of Squatina guggenheim with increasing body length: relationships with type, size and trophic level of its prey

The occurrence of changes in the trophic level (TL) of sharks with growth has not been quantified until now. Here length-related changes on Squatina guggenheim Marini trophic level were determined, and shifts in type, size and trophic level of its prey were analysed. Sampling took place during five bottom trawl surveys conducted in the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone during spring (December/1995, October/1997) and fall (March/1997, March–April/1998, May–June/1998), using an Engel bottom-trawl net to capture the sharks. Three length groups were defined based on diet composition and using a cluster analysis (group I, 23–60 cm; group II, 61–80 cm; group III, 81–91 cm L _T). An ANOSIM procedure detected significant differences (P < 0.05) in the diet spectrum between the three length groups. The smallest sharks (group I) ingested fish prey ranging from 5 to 21 cm L _T, medium sharks (group II) fed on fish prey between 11 and 35 cm L _T, and largest sharks (group III) preyed on fish between 13 and 40 cm L _T. Diet structure of length groups were discriminated by almost the same prey taxa that characterized them. The increase of S. guggenheim body length promoted a decrease in the relative importance of small pelagic fishes. Contrarily, prey as medium benthopelagic fishes, medium pelagic squid and medium benthopelagic fishes showed an inverse tendency, indicating a broad diet spectrum of adults. Predator-length and prey-length relationship indicated a trend where 44.8% of S. guggenheim diet was integrated by prey <20% of their own body length and 32.8% of their diet was composed by prey >30% of their own length. The increase of mean prey weight was associated with the increase of predator weight and length. Smallest sharks (group I) were identified as secondary consumers (TL < 4) whereas medium sharks (group II) and largest sharks (group III) were placed as tertiary consumers (TL > 4). The study revealed an increase in S. guggenheim TL with shark growth as a consequence of changes on type, size and TL of prey ingested.     

Influence of lateral gradients of hydrologic connectivity on trophic positions of fishes in the Upper Mississippi River

1. Riverscapes consist of the main channel and lateral slackwater habitats along a gradient of hydrological connectivity from maximum connection in main channel habitats to minimum connection in backwaters. Spatiotemporal differences in water currents along this gradient produce dynamic habitat conditions that influence species diversity, population densities and trophic interactions of fishes. 2. We examined the importance of lateral connectivity gradients for food web dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River during spring (high flow, moderately low temperatures) and summer (low flow, higher temperatures). We used literature information and gut contents analyses to determine feeding guilds and stable isotope analysis to estimate mean trophic position of local fish assemblages. During June and August 2006, we collected over 1000 tissue samples from four habitats (main channel, secondary channels, tertiary channels and backwaters) distributed within four hydrologic connectivity gradients. 3. Mean trophic position differed among feeding guilds and seasons, with highest values in spring. Mean trophic position of fish assemblages, variability in trophic position and food chain length (maximum trophic position) of the two dominant piscivore species (Micropterus salmoides and M. dolomieu) in both seasons were significantly associated with habitat along the lateral connectivity gradient. Food chain length peaked in tertiary channels in both seasons, probably due to higher species diversity of prey at these habitats. We infer that food chain length and trophic position of fish assemblages were lower in backwater habitats in the summer mainly because of the use of alternative food sources in these habitats. 4. A greater number of conspecifics exhibited significant among‐habitat variation in trophic position during the summer, indicating that low river stages can constrain fish movements in the Upper Mississippi River. 5. Results of this study should provide a better understanding of the fundamental structure of large river ecosystems and an improved basis for river rehabilitation and management through knowledge of the importance of lateral complexity in rivers.     

THE TROPHIC ROLE OF MARINE MAMMALS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

The trophic role of apex predators was evaluated in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem. An Ecopath model was developed for the period 1985–1987 prior to the collapse of commercially exploited demersal fish stocks in this area. Marine mammal trophic levels were estimated by the model at 4.1 for cetaceans, 4.4 for harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus), 4.7 for hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), 4.5 for gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), and 4.3 for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Harp seals were the third most important predator on vertebrate prey following large Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and redfish (Sebastes spp.). Different seal species preyed on different levels of the food chain. Harp seals preyed on most trophic groups, whereas larger seals, such as gray seals and hooded seals, mainly consumed higher trophic levels. The model suggested that apex predators had a negative effect on their dominant prey, the higher trophic level fish, but an indirect positive feedback on the prey of their preferred prey, mainly American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), flounders, skates, and benthic invertebrates. Our results suggest that both marine mammals and fisheries had an impact on the trophic structure.     

A multivariate approach to the feeding habits of small fishes in the Guadalquivir Estuary

In the analysis of the feeding habits of the 11 most abundant fish species in the Guadalquivir Estuary, collected monthly (February 1998 to January 1999) at two different sampling sites, a total of 46 prey taxa were identified. Classifications (based on Bray–Curtis similarities derived from occurrence, number and mass data) of the different fish categories (postlarvae and juvenile–adults of each species) revealed two main trophic guilds, whose preferential prey (SIMPER analysis) were mysids and copepods, respectively. The similarity matrices derived from occurrence, number and mass data were always significantly correlated (RELATE: r >0.636; P <0.01), indicating that a good agreement in feeding patterns emerged from these variables. The seasonal coincidence of maximal fish and key-prey species densities suggests that food availability may be a principal factor influencing the nursery function of the Guadalquivir Estuary.     

Patterns of morphological traits shaping the feeding guilds in the intertidal mudflat fishes of the Indian Sundarbans

Broad-scale patterns of resource utilization and the corresponding morphological evolution is a result of an integral relationship among form and function. In addition, there is also an inherent role of the latter in determining species co-interaction and assemblage pattern that forms an integral aspect of ecological research. The present study aimed to evaluate the ecomorphological relationship among 37 fish species inhabiting the intertidal mudflats of the Indian Sundarbans by outlining the following objectives: (i) identifying and characterizing feeding guilds/groups and (ii) understanding the inter-relationship between morphometry with (a) the established feeding guild classifications and (b) observed prey taxa (that characterizes these feeding groups) for determining the role of morphometry in prey acquisition followed by (iii) the evaluation of their potential phylogenetic convergence among the species. For the first objective, two approaches for feeding guild classification were made (3-Guild and 8-Guild) for assessing the prediction accuracy of morphological characters in identifying the different guilds. While the former was based on troph values, the latter classification mode relied on the similarities in diet composition among the different fish species. For addressing the second objective, we employed two different models namely, linear discriminant (LDA) and redundancy analysis (RDA). While the LDA model tested the prediction accuracy of morphological traits in classifying the different feeding guilds, RDA was applied to model the correlation between the morphological traits and the prey categories. In the LDA model, morphological characters showed higher accuracy (78.4%) in classifying three feeding groups rather than eight feeding groups (73%). Following this, the RDA model (explaining 79.78% of constrained variance) showed gill raker intensity, protrusion length, head depth, caudal peduncle, eye diameter and inter-orbital distance to be highly associated with selection of specific prey types by species, thereby characterizing a particular feeding guild. However, generalized linear models testing for correlation between troph value and feeding groups showed substantial variation (90.35%) in the dietary index being explained by the 8-Guild classification. Hence, our study maintains the assumption that broad morphological differentiation acts as one of the underlying processes resulting in dietary variations that results in the varying modes of resource utilization by the coexisting species, thereby determining the structure of a trophic guild. Furthermore, it also suggests that in terms of prey abundance or selectivity, the 8-Guild model is much more conducive in representing the feeding habits of the species while the morphological traits reflected a relatively broader scheme of classification, (i.e., 3-Guild model) with certain traits being phylogenetically conserved within these groups.