Table 1 Comparative methodological framework applied in this study to characterize the trophic ecology of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Western Mediterranean Sea, using four different aspects (1–4), the corresponding comparable metrics and three sources of information (A–C).

From: A trophic latitudinal gradient revealed in anchovy and sardine from the Western Mediterranean Sea using a multi-proxy approach

Variable

A. Gut content characterization

B. Stable Isotope Analysis

C. DNA metabarcoding

1. Diet characterization

Feeding Intensity (SFD)

Numerical frequency (%N)

Prey biomass (%B)

Frequency of occurrence (%FO)

δ13C and δ15N

%FO mOTUs/OTUs

2. Prey diversity/niche width

Species Richness

Rarefaction curves (species richness)

Shannon–Wiener diversity index

Ellipses width (SEAB)

Species Richness

Rarefaction curves (species richness)

3. Diet similarity

Beta-diversity

–

Beta-diversity

4. Niche overlap

Pianka Niche Overlap

Ellipses area overlap (SEAB)

Pianka Niche Overlap

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