Trophic ecology of five flatfishes species (Actinopterygii, Pleuronectiformes) in the Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Ecologia trófica de cinco espécies de linguados (Actinopterygii, Pleuronectiformes) na Baía de Sepetiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2006

RESUMO

The aim of this work was to describe the trophic ecology of the five most abundant flatfishes species (Actinopterygii, Pleuronectiformes) in the Sepetiba Bay: Achirus lineatus, Trinectes paulistanus, Citharichthys spilopterus, Etropus crossotus and Symphurus tessellatus. Patterns of distribution were determined, and the feeding habits and resources partitioning were described along the spatial, temporal and size changes, aiming to assess the mechanisms and strategies used by the group to coexist in this sysgem. The study area was divided in three zones (inner, central e outer) according to environmental gradient of sea proximity previously described. Bottom trawls sampling were carried out monthly during the day, between October 1998 and September 1999 (1 cycle), and at each season, during the day and the night, between the Winter 2000 and the Autumn 2001 (2 cycle). Fishes were measured (mm), weighted (g) and dissected for removing the guts. Stomach contents were analyzed by using light and stereoscopy microscopy, and the feeding items were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Achirus lineatus and Trinectes paulistanus were more abundant in the inner Bay zone, showing specialist behavior, preying on Polychaeta, with the former species showing activity during the day. Citharichthys spilopterus was widely distributed in the Sepetiba bay, showing generalist behaviour preying on Crustacea (Mysida) and Teleostei. Etropus crossotus and Symphurus tessellatus distributed in higher abundance in the outer zone and showed generalist behavior, using mainly Crustacea (Amphipoda); evidence of activity during the day were detect for the first species only. Size changes were detected for A. lineatus, T. paulistanus and S. tessellatus that used higher diversity of items when they reach larger sizes, while C. spilopterus and E. crossotus used larger sized items. Spatial partitioning in the use of the available resources was the strategy more widely used by Pleuronectiformes as mechanism to coexist in Sepetiba Bay.

ASSUNTO(S)

peixes bentônicos demersal fishes resources partitioning feeding habits distribuição hábitos alimentares bays distribution baías partição de recursos ecologia

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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