Trophic and isotopic relationships between two species of Characidae and land cover in streams from the Corumbataí River basin, Brazil

Author(s)

Anderson Ferreira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2008-10-17

Examining board members

Luiz Antonio Martinelli; Lilian Casatti; Jose Eurico Possebon Cyrino; Katia Maria Paschoaletto Michi de Barros Ferraz; Elaine Antoniassi Luiz Kashiwaqui

• Advisor: Luiz Antonio Martinelli

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems not only comprise complex internal interactions but are inherently influenced by terrestrial environments. Based on the postulation that watershed soil cover influences diets of stream fish, this work aimed at investigating feeding patterns of two species of nektonic Characidae (Astyanax paranae and Bryconamericus iheringii) under influence of soil cover types in nine stream watersheds, during dry and wet seasons. Dietary patterns and stream food web chain links were assessed through analysis of fish gastric contents and stable isotopes signals (13C and 15N). Nine streams in Corumbataí river basin (State of São Paulo) were chosen taking into account their proportions of riparian forest to pastures, measured along 500 m stretch, and assigned into three categories: Riparian Forest (>90% riparian forest), Mixed Vegetation (30 to 60%) and Pasture (< 29% riparian forest). For the analysis of interactions soil cover and stream fish diets, four spatial watershed portions were defined: 30 m wide riparian corridor along the 500 m sampling reach SR; SR plus a 500 m upstream reach UR; all watershed Riparian Corridor RW, and all watershed area -AW. Diets of both species differed, but no difference was observed between dry and wet seasons. For each species and season, there were significant differences between fish diet among stream categories. Diet of A. paranae was based on allochthonous sources in streams of Riparian Forest and Mixed Vegetation and autochthonous sources in Pasture streams. Diet of B. iheringii consisted of autochthonous sources in streams of Riparian Forest and mixed sources (sediment/debris) in Mixed Vegetation and Pasture streams. Diets were correlated to abiotic variables related to channel structure and streambed substrate, and the percent of forest in all studied spatial scales. The isotopic analysis indicated strong correlations of the signals of food sources and fish with the percentages of forests in areas corresponding to the riparian scales (SR, UR and RW). Despite the major contributions of 13C of C4 plants for diets of both species in Mixed Vegetation and Pasture streams, Riparian Forest streams showed heavier and significant isotopic signals, indicating that the soil cover throughout the watershed area (AW) influenced streams food webs. The values of 15N found in both species and the food sources in Pasture streams were more enriched, demonstrating the influence of watershed soil cover proportions (either forest or pasture cover). Riparian forests loss and fragmentation impacts stream food web in different ways. Thus, the recovery and preservation of riparian forests and proper soil management throughout any given watershed are essential for maintaining the integrity and the environmental quality of these lotic ecosystems. (AU)