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Feeding ecology and behavior of mimetic juveniles of the Maracaibo leatherjack Oligoplites palometa (Perciformes: Carangidae) observed in an Amazonian tidal channel

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Abstract

We describe and analyze the mimetic behavior in juvenile Maracaibo leatherjack, Oligoplites palometa, establishing correlations with feeding diet composition during daytime. The relationships between behavioral patterns and the feeding diet of O. palometa were analyzed during daylight hours, considering seasonal and lunar cycle variations within a tidal channel in the estuary of the Caeté River, Northeastern Pará, Brazil. The two relatively well-defined seasons associated with the study area—rainy and dry seasons—have influenced the behavioral patterns and feeding diet of the fish. During the dry season, higher foraging frequencies were observed, consistently related to mimetic swimming behavior, and correlated with the abundance of food items found in the stomach contents. In contrast, during the rainy season, both behavioral and food item frequencies were lower, although the food items presented greater diversity. The fish have exhibited zooplanktivorous feeding habits, preferring copepods over other prey types. The lunar cycle may be associated with the temporal distribution of prey, whereas Brachyura, Clupeid larvae, and unidentified Crustacea are more related to the full, waning, and new moon phases, respectively. Our results clarify the dynamics between the environment and prey types, behavioral tactics, and feeding diets adopted by mimetic juvenile O. palometa.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to everyone who helped in the transport to the field and collection of samples and Mr. Cassiano for all the logistic support in the field. We would like to thank the Laboratory of Water Quality (LAQUA), the Laboratory of Plankton Microalgae Cultivation (LPCM), the Laboratory of Water Biodiversity and Conservation (LCBA), and the Evolution Laboratory (LEVO) for providing laboratorial logistic support. The authors thank the two anonymous referees that have considerably improved the overall quality of this MS, as Mr. M. J. Cohen for proofreading and revising the English language, as suggested by both referees and the editor A. Queiroz was funded by CAPES, scholarship Number 88887.645349/2021-00.

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A. Queiroz was funded by CAPES, scholarship Number 88887.645349/2021-00

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  1. Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Alameda Leandro Ribeiro, s/n Aldeia, Bragança, Pará, CEP 68600-000, Brazil

    Alexya Cunha de Queiroz, Breno Barros, Adria D. Procópio & Tatiane N. Medeiros Rodrigues

  2. Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Capanema, Pará, Brazil

    Breno Barros

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  1. Alexya Cunha de Queiroz
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Correspondence to Breno Barros.

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The authors above listed declare that there is no competing interest regarding any issue within the present study, whereas all persons involved have contributed equally to the manuscript, in both logistic and intellectual efforts. The first author was founded by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education) scholarship number 88887.645349/2021-00.

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de Queiroz, A.C., Barros, B., Procópio, A.D. et al. Feeding ecology and behavior of mimetic juveniles of the Maracaibo leatherjack Oligoplites palometa (Perciformes: Carangidae) observed in an Amazonian tidal channel. Hydrobiologia 851, 2681–2693 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-024-05483-9

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