Gut content data from reef fishes sampled at natural reefs sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico from November 2010 – August 2011

Reef fish were sampled at natural reef sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Stomachs were removed from fish and fixed in 10% formalin for at least 48 hours, then was transferred to 70% isopropyl alcohol for preservation. Diet composition analysis was performed by identifying stomach contents to the lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerating them with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Samples were sorted by prey type and a wet mass was obtained for each prey type. The samples were then placed in an oven to dry for 48 hours at 60°C, after which dry mass (g) was obtained.

本研究于墨西哥湾北部天然礁场站点采集礁栖鱼类样本。从鱼体中取出胃部组织，以10%福尔马林（formalin）溶液固定至少48小时，随后转移至70%异丙醇（isopropyl alcohol）溶液中保存。食物组成分析采用如下流程：借助解剖显微镜（dissecting microscope）将胃容物鉴定至尽可能精细的分类学层级，并对其进行计数。将胃容物按猎物类型分拣，分别测定每类猎物的湿重。随后将分拣后的样本置于60℃烘箱内烘干48小时，称量得到干重（单位：克）。