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I thank the authors for following through the whole reviewing process. The current version of the manuscript is ready for publication.
[# PeerJ Staff Note - this decision was reviewed and approved by James Reimer, a PeerJ Section Editor covering this Section #]
[# PeerJ Staff Note: Although the Academic and Section Editors are happy to accept your article as being scientifically sound, a final check of the manuscript shows that it would benefit from further editing - for instance, the authority of the species name needs a comma after the authorities before the year (small but important for ICZN). Therefore, if you can identify further edits, please work with our production group to address them while in proof stage #]
The revised manuscript has improved significantly after incorporating comments from the reviewers. I welcome the authors to kindly address some additional minor comments from both reviewers before the manuscript is ready for publication.
Accepted
Accepted
Accepted
My previous comments were fully addressed by the authors and I believe the manuscript has been greatly improved. Thank you for the modifications.
However, authors should refine the overview map of the study area (Figure 1) which is missing orientation indicators and scale, and prepare it following the journal's standard format.
I would like to recommend acceptance after the matter is addressed.
No comments
No further comments.
No further comments.
Please check the citation for Figure 2, Figure S1 and Table S1 as I cannot find them in the text.
Based on the comments of reviewers, and please provide strong justification on the sample size, as pointed out by Reviewer 2.
[# PeerJ Staff Note: Please ensure that all review and editorial comments are addressed in a response letter and any edits or clarifications mentioned in the letter are also inserted into the revised manuscript where appropriate. #]
Clear usage of scientific and professional English throughout the manuscript.
Straightforward reporting on the pearl whipray (Fontitrygon margaritella) growth, maturity, and diet parameters.
Sufficient background and references provided.
Research questions are well defined and within the scope of the journal.
Methodology is sound and replicable.
Findings are relevant to the conservation and fisheries management for the F. margaritella.
Material and methods
1. A geographical map of the sampling sites/location should be included to assist reader visually
2. Suggest the descriptions in table 1 to be simplified and incorporated in line with texts under materials
Discussion
3. Based on figure 2, How do you justify teleost as part of YOY but absent in juvenile diet?
4. Discussion on F. margaritella diets is polychaete and crustacean biased. What is the "unidentified" mainly composed of? Is it substrate or plant matters?
Supplementary data
5. I think it will greatly help readers to understand figure 2 if authors could provide raw data on the stomach content identified.
No comment.
Authors should reconsider the results on size at first mature due to limitation of sample size.
Please check and add citations (see my comments in the manuscript file).
Please provide photos of food items of this species.
Please provide a Table presenting detail of fish collection in four sites.
Please find comments in the manuscript file.
Please find comments in the manuscript file.
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