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Gape size influences seasonal patterns of piscivore diets in three Neotropical rivers
Montaña, Carmen G; Layman, Craig A; Winemiller, Kirk O.
Affiliation
  • Montaña, Carmen G; Texas A&M University. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.
  • Layman, Craig A; Florida International University. Marine Sciences Program.
  • Winemiller, Kirk O; Texas A&M University. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.
Neotrop. ichthyol ; 9(3): 647-655, 2011. ilus, graf, mapas
Article in En | LILACS | ID: lil-600880
Responsible library: BR68.1
ABSTRACT
We examined diets of four piscivores, two in the order Perciformes (Cichla temensis and C. orinocensis) and two in the order Characiformes (Boulengerella cuvieri and B. lucius), from the Cinaruco, La Guardia, and Ventuari rivers in Venezuela throughout the wet-dry seasonal cycle. The four piscivores consumed a phylogenetically and morphologically diverse group of fishes, reflecting the overall diversity of fish species in these rivers. At the start of the falling-water period, Cichla consumed large prey, especially the abundant, migratory, fish of the genus Semaprochilodus. As these relatively large prey became depleted during the dry season, Cichla tended to consume smaller prey. For Boulengerella, gape limitation precluded consumption of larger, seasonally abundant, fishes, and so prey sizes were more consistent throughout the seasonal cycle. Our findings show how prey abundance and gape limitations interact to influence seasonal patterns of predator-prey interactions.
RESUMO
Foram examinadas as dietas de quatro espécies de peixes piscívoros, duas da ordem Perciformes (Cichla temensis and C. orinocensis) e duas da ordem Characiformes (Boulengerella cuvieri and B. lucius), coletadas durante os ciclos de cheia e seca nos rios Cinaruco, La Guardia e Ventari, Venezuela. Os quatro piscívoros consumiram grupos de peixes filogenética e morfologicamente diversos, o que reflete a ampla diversidade de peixes nos rios estudados. No início da vazante, Cichla consumiu presas grandes, especialmente Semaprochilodus, um peixe migrador muito abundante. Com a diminuição das presas maiores durante a estação seca, Cichla tendeu a se alimentar de presas menores. Para Boulengerella, a limitação da abertura bucal impediu o consumo de peixes grandes e sazonalmente abundantes e, deste modo, o tamanho de suas presas foi menos variável ao longo do ciclo sazonal. Nossos resultados mostram como a abundância das presas e a limitação na abertura bucal interagem, influenciando os padrões de interação predador-presa.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: LILACS Main subject: Perciformes / Fishes Type of study: Prognostic_studies Limits: Animals Language: En Journal: Neotrop. ichthyol Journal subject: BIOLOGIA / BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR / FISIOLOGIA / GENETICA / SAUDE AMBIENTAL / ZOOLOGIA Year: 2011 Document type: Article Affiliation country: United States Country of publication: Brazil

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: LILACS Main subject: Perciformes / Fishes Type of study: Prognostic_studies Limits: Animals Language: En Journal: Neotrop. ichthyol Journal subject: BIOLOGIA / BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR / FISIOLOGIA / GENETICA / SAUDE AMBIENTAL / ZOOLOGIA Year: 2011 Document type: Article Affiliation country: United States Country of publication: Brazil