Amanda Menegante Caldatto, Rosa Maria Dias, Fernando César Paiva Dagosta, Anderson Ferreira
{"title":"Temporal and Ontogenetic Changes in Feeding Ecology of a Characid From Karst Dolines of the Neotropics","authors":"Amanda Menegante Caldatto, Rosa Maria Dias, Fernando César Paiva Dagosta, Anderson Ferreira","doi":"10.1111/eff.70018","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Environmental and biological factors strongly shape fish diets, yet little is known about such influences in flooded Karst Dolines of the Neotropical region. This study examined the diet of <i>Deuterodon luetkenii</i> and assessed its temporal and ontogenetic variation in Lagoa Misteriosa, a karstic lagoon. Fish were sampled bimonthly over 1 year and categorised into two hydrological periods: with algal blooms (WAB) and without algal blooms (AAB). A total of 540 stomachs from four body size classes were analysed, identifying 33 food items. Diet composition varied significantly between periods and among size classes. Filamentous algae and macrophytes were more consumed during the AAB period, while aquatic invertebrates predominated during the WAB period. Niche breadth remained consistent across periods but differed among size classes, indicating ontogenetic dietary shifts. Our findings underscore the ecological role of autochthonous resources and macrophytes in shaping feeding strategies and habitat use in karst ecosystems. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for conservation efforts and for anticipating the potential impacts of environmental changes on trophic interactions within karst environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":11422,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Freshwater Fish","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/eff.70018","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Ecology of Freshwater Fish","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eff.70018","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"FISHERIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Environmental and biological factors strongly shape fish diets, yet little is known about such influences in flooded Karst Dolines of the Neotropical region. This study examined the diet of Deuterodon luetkenii and assessed its temporal and ontogenetic variation in Lagoa Misteriosa, a karstic lagoon. Fish were sampled bimonthly over 1 year and categorised into two hydrological periods: with algal blooms (WAB) and without algal blooms (AAB). A total of 540 stomachs from four body size classes were analysed, identifying 33 food items. Diet composition varied significantly between periods and among size classes. Filamentous algae and macrophytes were more consumed during the AAB period, while aquatic invertebrates predominated during the WAB period. Niche breadth remained consistent across periods but differed among size classes, indicating ontogenetic dietary shifts. Our findings underscore the ecological role of autochthonous resources and macrophytes in shaping feeding strategies and habitat use in karst ecosystems. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for conservation efforts and for anticipating the potential impacts of environmental changes on trophic interactions within karst environments.
期刊介绍:
Ecology of Freshwater Fish publishes original contributions on all aspects of fish ecology in freshwater environments, including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams. Manuscripts involving ecologically-oriented studies of behavior, conservation, development, genetics, life history, physiology, and host-parasite interactions are welcomed. Studies involving population ecology and community ecology are also of interest, as are evolutionary approaches including studies of population biology, evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology, and historical ecology. Papers addressing the life stages of anadromous and catadromous species in estuaries and inshore coastal zones are considered if they contribute to the general understanding of freshwater fish ecology. Theoretical and modeling studies are suitable if they generate testable hypotheses, as are those with implications for fisheries. Manuscripts presenting analyses of published data are considered if they produce novel conclusions or syntheses. The journal publishes articles, fresh perspectives, and reviews and, occasionally, the proceedings of conferences and symposia.