Abstract.Macropetasma africanusis an important component of the nearshore macrofauna in South African marine waters. Juveniles utilize high energy surf zones as nursery and maturation areas before offshore migration to spawning areas. Samples were taken from two surf zone areas and an offshore spawning area over a two year period. Spatial, seasonal, and diel variations in diet, established from stomach content analysis (N = 1020), indicate thatM. africanusis an omnivorous feeder with a diet reflecting general food availability in the environment. Five major food groups were identified. Detritus was the most important food group identified in a medium energy surf zone and offshore spawning area. Phytoplankton was the major food group utilized in a high energy surf area characterized by phytoplankton blooms. Crustaceans were an important component of the diet in all three areas sampled and the remains of copepods, ostracods, isopods, amphipods, and mysids were identified. Benthic macrofauna and meiofauna are not important components of theM. africanusdiet in the turbulent surf zone areas but appear more important in the offshore area. Feeding behaviour is adapted to turbulent conditions found in surf areas and the passage of food through the foregut is rapid.
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