Non-native white piranhas graze preferentially on caudal fins from large netted fishes
F. R. Andrade
A B E , L. D. Silva C , I. Guedes C , A. M. Santos C and P. S. Pompeu D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia Aplicada da Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Setor de Ecologia, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
B Programa Peixe Vivo, Cemig Geração e Transmissão, Gerência de Ações e Programas Ambientais e Apoio à Operação, Avenida Barbacena 1200, 30190-131, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
C Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Limnologia, Vila Mauricéia, 39401-089, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil.
D Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Setor de Ecologia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Peixes, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
E Corresponding author. Email: surubim@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(4) 585-593 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18202
Submitted: 21 December 2017 Accepted: 29 July 2018 Published: 13 November 2018
Abstract
In this study we assessed, for the first time, grazing by Serrasalmus brandtii outside its natural range. We observed higher grazing proportions in samples from sites where S. brandtii is the dominant species in relation to sites where it is recorded as present and sites where it is absent. S. brandtii grazed preferentially on caudal fins in relation to all other fins alone or combined. It also preferred to mutilate fins instead of flesh. Larger fish had a higher probability of being mutilated and had a higher number of mutilated fins than smaller fish, which is expected as large fish represent a larger resource to their consumers. S. brandtii avoided mutilating conspecifics and, as its abundance increased, so did the number of species being preferentially grazed.
Additional keywords: fin and flesh mutilation, Jequitinhonha River basin, pirambeba, piscivory, predation, Serrasalmus brandtii.
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