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Influence of the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea on fish assemblage of the Upper Paraná River floodplain (Brazil)

Influence of the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea on fish assemblage of the Upper Paraná River... The architecture of aquatic macrophytes adds structural complexity to the littoral region. This increased habitat heterogeneity prompts greater diversity and stability of biotic communities. However, there are few studies that explore the ecological role of macrophytes in the Neotropical region. Then, the aim of this study was to determine spatial and diel influence of near-shore Eichhornia azurea stands on fish assemblage attributes and structure, in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, considering a meso-habitat scale. To achieve this objective, fish were trapped in four stands of macrophytes, in three positions (middle and border of the stand and open area) with samplings taken at different times of the day (6 h, 12 h and 18 h). A total of 537 fish of 16 species were caught. Dissolved oxygen varied significantly among positions. Fish assemblage attributes (species richness, evenness and Shannon Diversity Index) also varied among positions. Fish assemblage structure (summarized by a detrended correspondence analysis) and size structure were strongly influenced by times of the day and positions. The patterns observed can be explained by factors such as oxygen concentration, food resource availability and predation, all influenced by macrophytes. We suggest that any strategy to manage fish diversity and fish stocks has to consider aquatic macrophytes. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Ecology Springer Journals

Influence of the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea on fish assemblage of the Upper Paraná River floodplain (Brazil)

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References (42)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 by Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Subject
Life Sciences; Ecosystems; Freshwater & Marine Ecology
ISSN
1386-2588
eISSN
1573-5125
DOI
10.1007/s10452-007-9122-2
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The architecture of aquatic macrophytes adds structural complexity to the littoral region. This increased habitat heterogeneity prompts greater diversity and stability of biotic communities. However, there are few studies that explore the ecological role of macrophytes in the Neotropical region. Then, the aim of this study was to determine spatial and diel influence of near-shore Eichhornia azurea stands on fish assemblage attributes and structure, in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, considering a meso-habitat scale. To achieve this objective, fish were trapped in four stands of macrophytes, in three positions (middle and border of the stand and open area) with samplings taken at different times of the day (6 h, 12 h and 18 h). A total of 537 fish of 16 species were caught. Dissolved oxygen varied significantly among positions. Fish assemblage attributes (species richness, evenness and Shannon Diversity Index) also varied among positions. Fish assemblage structure (summarized by a detrended correspondence analysis) and size structure were strongly influenced by times of the day and positions. The patterns observed can be explained by factors such as oxygen concentration, food resource availability and predation, all influenced by macrophytes. We suggest that any strategy to manage fish diversity and fish stocks has to consider aquatic macrophytes.

Journal

Aquatic EcologySpringer Journals

Published: Jul 3, 2007

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