Affiliation:
1. Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Brasil; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Brasil
2. University of Leeds, United Kingdom
3. Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Brasil
Abstract
Abstract Understanding how functionally similar species segregate resources to minimize competition is vital for predicting evolutionary factors and patterns of coexistence. We conducted a study in Mata de Itamacaoca, in the middle Munim River basin, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, to characterize the functional morphology and trophic niches of five coexisting Characiform species in this area - including a recently described species, and to investigate whether their functional morphology is a key determinant of their trophic niches. Our analysis of functional morphology and diet, employing linear measurements to predict dietary specializations, showed that these species are predominantly generalist insectivores with a significant morphological overlap. This study underscores the influence of species' natural history on their ecological characteristics, contributing to more effective conservation strategies.
Reference48 articles.
1. Historical biogeography of fishes from coastal basins of Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil;ABREU J.M.S.;Neotropical Ichthyology,2019
2. Técnicas de coleta e preparação de vertebrados para fins científicos e didáticos.;AURICCHIO P.,2002
3. Ecomorphological variations and food supply drive trophic relationships in the fish fauna of a pristine neotropical stream;BALDASSO M.C.;Environmental Biology of Fishes,2019
4. Fish communities of the upper Danube River (Germany, Austria) prior to the new Rhein-Main-Donan connection;BALON E.K.;Environmental Biology of Fishes,1986
5. Perfil da ictiofauna da bacia do rio São Francisco/Profile of the fish fauna of the São Francisco River basin;BARBOSA J.M.;Acta of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,2017