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Trophic interactions between two tropical omnivorous fishes, Oreochromis shiranus and Barbus paludinosus: feeding selectivities and food web responses

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Abstract

Feeding preferences in two tropical omnivorous fishes, Oreochromis shiranus and Barbus paludinosus were similar when offered an array of planktonic food in aquaria. The two species were stocked into earthen ponds at different rates. Abiotic and biotic variables were measured over a period of 120 days. Data analysis by multiple linear regression did not reveal significant negative coefficients between adjacent trophic levels, which would have indicated top-down effects. It is suggested that the results are due to uncoupling between trophic levels in tropical freshwater ecosystems.

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  1. Niklas S. Mattson

    Present address: c/o Department of Livestock and Fisheries, P.O. Box 7035, Vientiane, Lao PDR E-mail

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  1. Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Niklas S. Mattson

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Mattson, N.S. Trophic interactions between two tropical omnivorous fishes, Oreochromis shiranus and Barbus paludinosus: feeding selectivities and food web responses. Hydrobiologia 380, 195–207 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003488914580

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