First record of Siganus randalli (Teleost, Siganidae) in New Caledonia, and comments on its diet

<p>Background: Most of the 29 Siganidae species are widely distributed through the Indo-Pacific area. In New<br />
Caledonia, these family was represented by 12 species. The present report is the first record of Siganus randalli in New<br />
Caledonian waters and provide information on its diet.<br />
Methods: Three specimens of Siganus randalli were caught in shallow mangrove waters of the southern part of New<br />
Caledonia. Their stomach contents and isotopic signatures (carbon and nitrogen) were analyzed and compared to<br />
others siganids species.<br />
Results and conclusion: This note provides the most southerly record of the rabbitfish Siganus randalli, which extends<br />
its distribution range by 1200 km southward and 1300 km southwest. The data on its diet, when compared with other<br />
co-occurring or more reef-associated siganid species, provide information on feeding processes and ecological<br />
functions associated with its mangrove habitat.<br />
Keywords: Variegated rabbitfish, Diet, Stomach content, Isotope, SW pacific<br />
Abbreviations: ADECAL, Agence de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie; ARR, Arrêté;<br />
C, Carbon; DENV, Direction de l’environnement; G, grams; IRI, Index of relative importance; LIVE, Laboratoire<br />
insulaire du vivant et de l’environnement; MM, millimeter; N, Nitrogen; SD, standard deviation; TL, Total length;<br />
UNC, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie</p>