New insights into the diet and feeding ecology of the South Pacific angelshark, Squatina armata (Philippi, 1887) from Peru

This study analysed the diet of the South Pacific angelshark, Squatina armata. A total of 78 individuals, captured by small-scale fisheries conducted along northern Peru from Punta Habid to Pacasmayo and landed in San José (Lambayeque, Peru) between 2022 and 2023, were examined. Overall, the diet of the South Pacific angelshark consisted mainly of teleosts and cephalopods, with crustacean playing a lesser role. The demersal teleost Paralonchurus peruanus, followed by the cephalopod Doryteuthis gahi, were identified as the preferred prey items. The prey-specific index of relative importance indicated that the Patagonian squid Doryteuthis gahi, followed by the lorna Callaus deliciosa, the suco Paralonchurus peruanus and the engraulid Anchoa nasus, were the most important prey items. No significant differences were found between the diet of males and females, nor was there any significant difference between maturity stage and sex; angelsharks from the region showed a high trophic level overlap among sexes, as indicated by the Morisita–Horn index (C_ʎ = 0.71). The calculated trophic level (TL = 4.20) confirms its role as a tertiary predator with ichthyophagous and teutophagous feeding habits. The standardized Levin index was low (B_A = 0.39), suggesting a relatively narrow trophic niche. Furthermore, the Costello–Amundsen plot showed that some individuals preferred certain prey items types such as Doryteuthis gahi, suggesting a specialized feeding strategy at the individual level, within a generally opportunistic and mixed feeding pattern at the population level. This study provides the first description of the diet of angelsharks inhabiting northern Peru and contributes to the scientific knowledge of this important but Critically Endangered species.