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Abstract

The gut contents of 268 B. soporator, collected between June 1991 and September 1992 in the mangrove of Cacha Pregos (south of Itaparica Island, State of Bahia, Brazil - about 13º07'S - 38º48'W), were examined. For 146 males and 120 females, totals of 16 and 14 food items were identified respectively. Conditions did not permit sex-identification of 2 particular specimens. With reference to frequency of occurrence, the main items for males were digested organic matter (DOM, 75,3%), Crustcea Brachyura (44,5%), Algae (15,1%), and Teleostei, as well as remains of Crustacea (11,6%), while for females the dominant items were DOM (76,6%), Crustacea Brachyura (60,8%), Teleostei (16,6%), and Algae (15%). In relation to numerical frequency, there was a predominance of Crustacea Brachyura (respectively 15% and 14,9%), fot both males and females. At Cacha Pregos, B. soporator is omnivorous, with no differences between males and females, having a preference for Crustacea. B. soporator may be characterized as opportunistic because it preys upon abundant and frequent species such as Crustacea Brachyura and Actionopterygii Teleostei (of Families Gobiidae - Gobionellus app and Gerreidae).