Acta Scientiarum: Biological Sciences (Nov 2017)

<b>Opportunistic diet of <i>Triportheus nematurus</i> (Characiformes: Triportheidae) in Southern Pantanal ponds: influences of temporal availability and abundance of resources

  • Douglas Alves Lopes,
  • Kelly Regina Ibarrola Vieira,
  • Rafael da Silva Mota,
  • Mateus Rojas Franco de Souza,
  • Fábio Edir dos Santos Costa,
  • Fernando Paiva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v39i4.36391
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 39, no. 4

Abstract

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The aim of this study was to investigate the diet composition and feeding strategies of Triportheus nematurus at the Miranda-Abobral floodplain region and evaluate if the temporal phenomenon of the flood pulse has influenced in the diet composition of the species. The fishes were sampled quarterly – between August/2014 and July/2016 – in the marginal ponds located in the Estrada Parque (MS 184). The feeding habits of T. nematurus was characterized as omnivorous and its opportunistic feeding behaviour, since its diet is composed of different resources along of the year. Insects and organic matter were the most important items during the drought period; plant material (leaves and roots) and Euglenophyceae algae were more expressive during the inundation period; insects and fruits were also abundant during the flood period. Through statistical analysis, it was possible to verify significant variation in the diet composition of the species. This variation in the components of the diet may be related to the availability of resources in the ponds throughout the year and reflect an already known pattern in Neotropical fish populations, which present high alimentary plasticity.

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