Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
http://www.alb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X0626
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Artigo Original

Food web structure and robustness of fish assemblages in the Uberabinha River, Upper Paraná Basin

Estrutura e robustez da teia trófica da ictiofauna do Rio Uberabinha, Bacia do Alto Paraná

Marcelo Ranuzi; Isabella Palavicini; Vanessa Pazeto

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X0626 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e15, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: We modeled and analyzed the topological structure of the fish food web of the Uberabinha River (Upper Paraná Basin) to characterize its connectance, trophic levels, modularity, and robustness.

Methods: The network was constructed from a meta-web of 36 fish species and seven basal resource categories, based on diet data from FishBase and peer-reviewed literature. Analyses were performed on a directed binary network using standard ecological network metrics and simulations of random and targeted species extinction.

Results: The food web showed low connectance (C=0.114), compressed trophic levels (range: 2.0–2.88), and weak modularity (Q=0.113), indicating limited functional compartmentalization. Robustness simulations revealed high tolerance to random species loss (R50=12) but sharp vulnerability to targeted removal of highly connected species (R50=6).

Conclusions: Network stability appears to be sustained primarily by generalist redundancy while remaining critically dependent on a small set of hub species and top predators, reflecting the functional simplification typical of impacted Neotropical river ecosystems. Conservation strategies should prioritize the maintenance of key trophic interactions over species richness alone.

Keywords

food webs; ecological networks; robustness; modularity; ichthyofauna; Upper Paraná Basin

Resumo

Objetivo: Modelamos e analisamos a estrutura topológica da teia trófica da ictiofauna do Rio Uberabinha (Bacia do Alto Paraná), caracterizando seus padrões de conectividade, níveis tróficos, modularidade e robustez.

Métodos: A rede foi construída a partir de uma meta-web com 36 espécies de peixes e sete categorias de recursos basais, com base em dados de dieta obtidos do FishBase e da literatura especializada. As análises foram conduzidas em uma rede binária direcionada, utilizando métricas clássicas de redes ecológicas e simulações de extinção aleatória e direcionada.

Resultados: A teia trófica apresentou baixa conectividade (C=0,114), níveis tróficos comprimidos (intervalo: 2,0–2,88) e modularidade fraca (Q=0,113), indicando compartimentação funcional limitada. As simulações de robustez revelaram alta tolerância à perda aleatória de espécies (R50=12), mas vulnerabilidade acentuada à remoção direcionada de espécies altamente conectadas (R50=6).

Conclusões: A estabilidade da rede parece ser sustentada principalmente pela redundância de espécies generalistas, permanecendo criticamente dependente de um pequeno conjunto de nós-hub e predadores de topo, refletindo a simplificação funcional típica de ecossistemas fluviais neotropicais impactados. Estratégias de conservação devem priorizar a manutenção das interações tróficas-chave em detrimento exclusivo da riqueza de espécies.

Palavras-chave

teias tróficas; redes ecológicas; robustez; modularidade; ictiofauna; Bacia do Alto Paraná

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Submetido em:
26/01/2026

Aceito em:
07/05/2026

Publicado em:
15/07/2026

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