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The coexistence of fish species in streams: relationships between assemblage attributes and trophic and environmental variables

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Abstract

Diet overlap and niche breadth are well-known species traits from trophic ecology that can assist in explaining how species interact and coexist as well as the ecological mechanisms that influence biodiversity. In the present study, we analyzed the relationships between these trophic variables and indicators of resource availability with some attributes of fish assemblages (species richness, Shannon diversity index, evenness, density and individual body size). The physical and chemical characteristics of the biotopes (topography, water quality and conservation of slopes) were examined to identify possible patterns. Monthly sampling using electrofishing was conducted in 2003 along five streams located in the Cuiabá River watershed. The relationships between environmental variables and attributes of fish assemblages were evaluated using Spearman correlation. Species richness and abundance varied among streams, with higher values (54 and 82 species) found in low-gradient streams that drained small swampy areas discharging in Cuiabá River. Diet overlap showed significant and negative correlations with species richness, the diversity index, abundance, variation in body size and food availability and positive correlations with evenness and niche breadth. Environments that had greater food availability had a reduced variety of food items (smaller amplitude) and distinct values in terms of dietary overlap. Nevertheless, to explain resource partitioning in a fish assemblage (overlap), it is necessary to consider food availability and niche breadth (degree of trophic specialization) beyond the interaction of these variables with species richness and density. In conclusion, high diversity and abundance values were strongly associated with a high degree of trophic specialization (low amplitude of trophic niche) and a small degree of overlap in the diet.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aqüicultura of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá for creating ideal conditions for research and the staff who helped with field sampling and laboratory analysis. We thanks also Jaime Luiz L. Pereira for prepare the map. Furnas Centrais Eletricas supported the field sampling, and CNPq provided research grants to AAA and LCG.

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  1. Elcio Barili

    Present address: , Bloco H90, 5790, Avenida Colombo, 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Comparada, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil

    Elcio Barili

  2. Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá – NUPELIA, Maringá, Brazil

    Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Luiz Carlos Gomes & João Dirço Latini

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  1. Elcio Barili
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  2. Angelo Antonio Agostinho
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Correspondence to Luiz Carlos Gomes.

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Barili, E., Agostinho, A.A., Gomes, L.C. et al. The coexistence of fish species in streams: relationships between assemblage attributes and trophic and environmental variables. Environ Biol Fish 92, 41–52 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9814-2

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