Fish assemblages in stream stretches occupied by cattail (Typhaceae, Angiospermae) stands in Southeast Brazil

Author(s)

da Rocha, Fabiola Carla ^[1] ; Casatti, Lilian ^[1] ; Carvalho, Fernando Rogerio ^[2] ; da Silva, Alexandre Marco ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP, Dept Bot & Zool, IBILCE, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Zool, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, IB, BR-91501970 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[3] UNESP, BR-18087180 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neotropical Ichthyology; v. 7, n. 2, p. 241-250, APR-JUN 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Macrophytes are a major component of lentic and lotic aquatic ecosystems. As consequences of environmental degradation, species of cattail (genus Typha) may become dominant along streams. The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure and feeding of fish assemblages in stream stretches under influence of Typha sp., also addressing the influences of temporal variation on composition, abundance, biomass, diversity, species richness, and feeding of fish. Six streams (labelled S1-S6) in the upper rio Turvo basin, southeast Brazil, with dense stands of Typha sp. in the instream and riparian habitat, were studied in six campaigns during three central months in both of the dry and wet periods, by using a standardized collection effort. Thirty-seven fish species were registered, totaling 4,228 individuals and 3.9 kg of biomass. Abundance, biomass, diversity, and species richness was higher in the wet period, but only the temporal variation in the species richness revealed to be statistically significant. Cluster analyses with composition and abundance showed little temporal similarity, but indicated two groups of streams (S1-S2-S5 and S3-S4-S6), that were corroborated along the axis 1 of the ordination analysis. Resident species was represented by six species, most of them considered tolerant and generalists. Chironomidae aquatic larvae and detritus were the most important items in the fish diet. These results suggest that the fish populations are opportunistic in exploring stream stretches occupied by cattail. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 01/13340-7 - Evaluation of the biotic integrity of the rivers of the northwest region of the State of São Paulo, Alto Paraná basin, using communities of fish
• Grantee: Lilian Casatti
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Young Investigators Grants