
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Heupel, M. R. 
A1  - Bennett, M. B. 
T1  - Observations on the diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, <emph type="2">Hemiscyllium ocellatum</emph> (Bonnaterre), on Heron Island Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
JF  - Marine and Freshwater Research
JO  - Mar. Freshwater Res.
Y1  - 1999
VL  - 49
IS  - 7
SP  - 753
EP  - 756
KW  - stomach content
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/MF97026 
N2  - The diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, were investigated through stomach content analysis. Five groups of prey items were found. The index of relative importance showed worms and crabs to be of greatest value at 51.3% and 40.1% respectively. The three minor prey groups were shrimps (7.7%), small fishes (0.7%) and amphipods (0.3%). Epaulette sharks tend to be crepuscular, although feeding bouts may occur at any time. They appear to be opportunistic predators, using olfaction and electroreception in prey capture. This species appears to be an important benthic predator in the reef flat environment on Heron Island Reef. 
ER  -

