Evidence for seed dispersal by the catfish Auchenipterichthys longimanus in an Amazonian lake

Abstract

The annual flood pulses of central Amazonian rivers inundate marginal forests to 10 m depth or more (Furch & Otto 1987, Junk et al. 1989). The regularity of this flooding seems to have promoted the development of a complex relationship between forest plants and fishes that consume their seeds (Goulding 1980). Several fish species migrate into the flooded forests to feed on buoyant fruits and seeds, and many plant species reach their fruiting peak during the flood season. Fruits and seeds have been reported to have adaptive features related to water (hydrochory) and/or fish (ichthyochory) dispersal (Araújo-Lima & Goulding 1998, Gottsberger 1978, Goulding 1980, Kubitzki & Ziburski 1994, Scarano 1998, Williamson 1999, Williamson & Costa 2000). Strong multicuspidate teeth in frugivorous fishes, fruit/seed buoyancy (Goulding 1980) and chemical signs released by fallen fruit to attract fish (Araújo-Lima & Goulding 1998) are mechanisms for the seed dispersal of the flooded forest community.

CONTENIDO DE GRASA Y PROTEINA EN Pygocentrus cariba, Prochilodus mariae, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Piaractus brachypomus e Hypostomus plecostomus EN UNA LAGUNA DE INUNDACION DEL ORINOCO MEDIO

“…Probablemente el contenido de grasa disminuya en los adultos durante la época de maduración sexual, mientras que el alto contenido de proteína se conserve debido principalmente a que las migraciones que la especie realiza para el desove, además de ser cortas y transversales, son discontinuas e interrumpida ocasionalmente para alimentarse y recuperar energía [23]. El contenido de proteína de P. brachypomum en el Amazonas es de 15,8% [2] y el de grasa está comprendido entre menos de 1,5% [2] y 15,6% [17].…”

“…cariba, al igual que P. brachypomum, presenta una marcada plasticidad en sus hábitos alimenticios y aprovecha en determinadas circunstancias la disponibilidad de cualquier tipo de alimento incluyendo vegetales, aunque es una especie preferentemente carnívora [2,15,22,27]. Su alto contenido de proteína posiblemente lo determina el tipo de alimento animal que preferiblemente consume [26,27], el cual probablemente no es afectado por factores como la migración, por cuanto ésta es relativamente corta y transversal [23,29].…”

Evidence for herbaceous seed dispersal by small-bodied fishes in a Pantanal seasonal wetland

“…Although fishes have been considered key seed dispersers for certain plants (Goulding, 1980(Goulding, , 1983Waldhoff et al, 1996;Horn, 1997;Banack et al, 2002;Mannheimer et. al, 2003;Lucas, 2008;Galetti et al, 2008;Anderson et al 2011), most previous papers on the topic focus on fishes that inhabit rivers, small tributaries and Amazonian igapó forests (Goulding, 1980;Horn, 1997;Lucas, 2008;Galetti et al, 2008;Anderson et al, 2011).…”

“…al, 2003;Lucas, 2008;Galetti et al, 2008;Anderson et al 2011), most previous papers on the topic focus on fishes that inhabit rivers, small tributaries and Amazonian igapó forests (Goulding, 1980;Horn, 1997;Lucas, 2008;Galetti et al, 2008;Anderson et al, 2011). A small number of previous studies have focused mainly at small-bodied fishes as potential seed dispersers (Gomiero and Braga 2003;Mannheimer et al, 2003;Maia et al, 2007). Thus, published scientific information on this topic is generally lacking (Horn et al,2011).…”

“…Studies of seed dispersal by fishes are scarce. Nevertheless, most authors are aware of the substantial potential of fishes as seed dispersers, particularly in the tropics (Gottsberger, 1978;Goulding, 1980Goulding, , 1983Kubitzki and Ziburski, 1994;Waldhoff et al, 1996;Horn, 1997;Pilati et al, 1999;Banack et al, 2002;Mannheimer et. al., 2003;Gomiero and Braga, 2003;Maia et al, 2007;Lucas, 2008;Galetti et al, 2008;Anderson et al, 2009;Pollux, 2011;Anderson et al, 2011;Horn et al, 2011).…”