Diet of spiny lobsters from Mahé Island reefs, Seychelles inferred by trophic tracers

Spiny lobsters (Panulirus longipes, P. penicillatus and versicolor) are an important resource in Seychelles, where they inhabit coastal carbonate granite reefs that have been impacted by multiple coral bleaching events over the past two decades. Little is known about their biology ecology this region. Interspecific competition for food resources was previously suggested, but no quantitative data on diet of spiny were available. Using carbon nitrogen stable isotope compositions fatty acid profiles three lobster species potential prey, a Bayesian mixing model estimation applied to compare proportions among between reef types (carbonate reefs). Model outputs suggested consume mainly crustaceans (Anomoura hermit crabs; half diet), then Echinoidea (sea urchins), algae molluscs. versicolor found slightly more molluscs than other studied species, which consistent with its lower trophic level (2.4 vs 2.8 species). Trophic did not increase carapace length lobsters, large individuals had higher isotopic values suggesting might feed closer coast or detritus feeders smaller congeners. Diets fairly similar reefs, except inhabiting consumed sea urchins. While our overall findings gut contents Panulirus spp. from world regions, should be confirmed, as discrimination several prey based tracers low, increased uncertainty.