Jinan Hassan AL- Lami - Marine Science Center, Marine Vertebrate Department, University of Basrah-Iraq
Faleh Musa Jafar Al-Zaidy - Marine Science Center, Marine Vertebrate Department, University of Basrah-Iraq
Audai M. Hasn Qasim - Marine Science Center, Marine Vertebrate Department, University of Basrah-Iraq

The nature of food for Himantura wage in the Iraqi marine waters in the Northwest of the Persian Gulf for the period from January to December 2017has been studied. At about 321 individuals were collected (176 for females and 145 for males). Samples were obtained byfishing boats that were caught in Iraqi marine waters using by trawl net. The composition of the food was identified using the numerical and volumetric methods for each food ingredient. The percentage of Vacuity Stomach Index (VI) for studying individuals were ranged (VI =33%), and the values for females and males were closer. The highest value was recorded in mature females (VI = 35%) and in mature males (VI = 32.2%). The remains of food in the stomachs were classified into three main groups: crustaceans, molluscs and fish. Crustaceans ranked first in terms of nutritional importance and the relative mass index of prey was (C. P=35.5) the numerical percentage was calculated and the location of crustaceans was ranked first (C.N = 31.2).

Food ingredients, Himantura walga, Iraqi marine waters.