Effect of size on the energy acquired in species of the fish from a neotropical reservoir, Brazil

Abstract

In this paper we analysed autotrophic sources of the carbon (δ ¹³C) and the trophic position (δ ¹⁵N) of Leporinus friderici in the influence area of Corumbá Reservoir, Brazil. We collected samples of muscles of fish from different sizes riparian vegetation, C₄ grasses, zooplankton, periphyton and particulate organic carbon (POC). There were significant differences for the carbon isotope proportion found in muscles of L.␣friderici in the different size groups analysed. The highest values of δ ¹³C recorded for middle sized individuals is attributed to the large contribution of C₄ plants in their diet. Small individuals sampled upstream also receive similar contribution from C₄ plants. In contrast the same size group sampled downstream from the reservoir, has a much smaller of C₄ plants. The δ ¹³C negative character of small individuals from downstream is due to the larger contribution of C₃ plants (except periphyton). At larger sizes we found intermediate δ ¹³C values. The δ ¹⁵N proportions we found for each size group were not significantly different, however we found decreasing mean values with increasing size. The trophic level calculated from the dietary data was higher than that found with the δ ¹³C concentration in the muscle, except for small individuals, when the values were equal.