Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
http://www.alb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X2525
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Trophic ecology of the vulnerable tetra Mimagoniates lateralis (Nichols, 1913) in a blackwater stream of the Atlantic Forest

Ecologia trófica do tetra vulnerável Mimagoniates lateralis (Nichols, 1913) em um riacho de água preta da Mata Atlântica

Amanda Selinger; Rafael Mendonça Duarte; Rosilene Luciana Delariva; Ursulla Pereira Souza; João Henrique Alliprandini da Costa

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Abstract

Aim: Here we investigated the diet of Mimagoniates lateralis (Nichols, 1913) in a blackwater restinga stream of the Atlantic Forest, aiming to identify the main food sources consumed and to verify if ontogenetic variations occur.

Methods: Specimens were sampled in January 2024 in the Panema stream, Itanhaém – SP. The diet of 124 individuals was determined through stomach content analysis, and the Feeding Preference Degree (FPD) was used to measure the importance of the consumed items.

Results: The diet comprised 21 items, among which detritus, plant fragments, and adult Hymenoptera were predominant. Only detritus was classified as a secondary item in terms of feeding preference, while all other items were considered occasional. Larger fish were more likely to consume adult Coleoptera and Hymenoptera, while smaller individuals were more likely to consume items such as Trombidiformes and detritus.

Conclusions: The results suggest an ontogenetic dietary shift, favoring specific prey and reducing dependence on other food items. The high presence of allochthonous items in the diet of M. lateralis highlights the crucial role of riparian vegetation as an essential source of food resources. The preservation of riparian forests supports the balance of these ecosystems and is vital for the survival of M. lateralis, a species vulnerable to extinction, reinforcing the urgency of effective measures of conservation.

Keywords

 diet; ontogenetic variation; southeastern Brazil; Itanhaém River Basin

Resumo

Objetivo: No presente estudo, investigamos o conteúdo estomacal de Mimagoniates lateralis (Nichols, 1913) em um riacho de restinga de água preta da Mata Atlântica, com o objetivo de identificar as principais fontes alimentares consumidas e verificar se ocorrem variações ontogenéticas.

Métodos: Os exemplares foram amostrados em janeiro de 2024 no riacho Panema, Itanhaém – SP. A dieta de 124 indivíduos foi determinada por meio da análise do conteúdo estomacal, e o Grau de Preferência Alimentar (GPA) foi utilizado para mensurar a importância dos itens consumidos.

Resultados: A dieta foi composta por 21 itens, entre os quais detrito, fragmento vegetal e Hymenoptera adulto foram predominantes. Apenas detrito foi classificado como item secundário, sendo todos os demais itens ocasionais. Os peixes de maior comprimento apresentaram a maior probabilidade de consumir adultos de Coleoptera e Hymenoptera, enquanto indivíduos menores tiveram a maior probabilidade de consumo de itens como Trombidiformes e detrito.

Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem uma mudança ao longo da ontogenia na dieta, favorecendo presas específicas e reduzindo a dependência de outros itens alimentares. A elevada presença de itens alóctones na dieta de M. lateralis ressalta o papel fundamental da vegetação marginal como fonte essencial de recursos alimentares. A preservação da mata ciliar sustenta o equilíbrio desses ecossistemas, e é crucial para a sobrevivência de M. lateralis, uma espécie vulnerável à extinção, reforçando a urgência de medidas efetivas de conservação.

Palavras-chave

dieta; variação ontogenética; sudeste do Brasil; Bacia do Rio Itanhaém

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Submitted date:
07/04/2025

Accepted date:
17/07/2025

Publication date:
30/09/2025

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