Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://www.actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X9820
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Feeding ecology of Eigenmannia desantanai (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) in southern Pantanal, Brazil

Ecologia alimentar de Eigenmannia desantanai (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) no Pantanal Sul, Brasil

Élida Jeronimo Gouveia; Patrícia Luna Rondon; Yzel Rondon Súarez

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Abstract

Abstract:

Aim: This study investigated changes in the dietary composition and trophic niche breadth of Eigenmannia desantanai in the context of hydrological periods, rivers, and ontogeny.

Methods: Collections were performed monthly on the Paraguay and Amonguijá Rivers between February 2009 and January 2011.

Results: A total of 338 specimens of E. desantanai were collected, 224 of which came from the Amonguijá River and 114 from the Paraguay River. In all, 21 food items were identified. Fully remains of digested animals (RDA), Chironomidae, Cladocera, and Ostracoda showed greater importance in the diet of E. desantanai. Dietary composition was influenced by hydrological periods, followed by differences between sampled rivers, and ontogeny. In contrast, only hydrological periods explained variation in the E. desantanai trophic niche breadth.

Conclusions: The diet of E. desantanai is mainly composed of Chironomidae, Cladocera, and Ostracoda; however, individuals consumed other food items owing to changes in hydrological periods, followed by characteristics of the Amonguijá and Paraguay Rivers and ontogenetic variation. In this respect, the results of this study are germane to the food ecology of E. desantanai, providing guidelines for the management and conservation of the species.
 

Keywords

diet, tuvira, floodplain, Paraguay River, Amonguijá River

Resumo

Resumo:

Objetivo: O estudo buscou investigar se as mudanças na composição da dieta e na amplitude de nicho trófico de Eigenmannia desantanai podem ser explicadas pelos períodos hidrológicos, rios e/ou ontogenia dos peixes.

Métodos: As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente nos rios Paraguai e Amonguijá, entre Fevereiro de 2009 a Janeiro de 2011.

Resultados: Foram coletados 338 exemplares de E. desantanai, sendo 224 do Rio Amonguijá e 114 do Rio Paraguai. Ao todo, foram identificados 21 itens alimentares. Restos de animais digeridos (RAD), Chironomidae, Cladocera e Ostracoda apresentaram maior importância na dieta de E. desantanai. A composição da dieta foi influenciada pelos períodos hidrológicos, seguida pelas diferenças dos rios amostrados e da ontogenia. Em contrapartida, apenas os períodos hidrológicos explicaram a variação na amplitude do nicho trófico de E. desantanai.

Conclusões: A dieta de E. desantanai é composta principalmente por Chironomidae, Cladocera e Ostracoda, no entanto, os indivíduos consumiram outros alimentos devido às mudanças dos períodos hidrológicos, seguida das características dos rios Amonguijá e Paraguai e da variação ontogenética. Neste contexto, os resultados deste estudo são pertinentes à ecologia alimentar de E. desantanai, fornecendo diretrizes para o manejo e conservação da espécie.
 

Palavras-chave

dieta, tuvira, planície de inundação, Rio Paraguai, Rio Amonguijá

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Submitted date:
10/19/2020

Accepted date:
11/25/2021

Publication date:
04/28/2022

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