Following food clouds: feeding association between a minute loricariid and a characidiin species in an Atlantic Forest stream, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Following behavior is a widespread feeding tactic among marine fishes, but remains poorly documented for freshwater fishes. The present study describes such association between two freshwater species: the minute armored catfish Parotocinclus maculicauda and the South American darter Characidium sp. During underwater observations in an Atlantic Forest stream, we recorded Characidium sp. closely following P. maculicauda (<5cm), catching the particles dislodged by this catfish's grazing activity. The following behavior displayed by the darter is considered opportunistic and possibly favors the capture of preys associated to the periphyton. This study is one of the few records of nuclear-follower feeding association between freshwater fishes and the first one in Atlantic Forest streams.O comportamento seguidor é uma tática de forrageio bastante conhecida entre peixes marinhos, mas pouco documentada para peixes de água doce. O presente estudo descreve essa associação alimentar entre duas espécies de riacho: o cascudinho Parotocinclus maculicauda e o peixe-canivete Characidium sp. Por meio de sessões de observação subaquática, Characidium sp. foi registrado seguindo P. maculicauda (<5cm), abocanhando partículas deslocadas pela atividade de pastejo do cascudinho. Esse tipo de comportamento do peixe seguidor é considerado oportunista e possivelmente favorece a captura de presas associadas ao perifíton. Trata-se de um dos poucos registros de associação alimentar do tipo nuclear-seguidor entre peixes de água doce e o primeiro para riachos de Mata Atlântica.

Habitat simplification affects nuclear-follower foraging association among stream fishes

“…In reef zones of marine environments, the nuclear-follower interaction is an important component of communities, involving a large number of species (Strand, 1988;Lukoschek & McCormick, 2000;Sazima et al, 2007). In freshwater environments, the number of records of this interaction has increased with the increment of the naturalistic studies in these environments; even though, the occurrence of this interaction is apparently underestimated (Baker & Foster, 1994;Leitão et al, 2007;Teresa & Carvalho, 2008;GarroneNeto & Sazima, 2009).…”

The more stirring the better: cichlid fishes associate with foraging potamotrygonid rays

“…So called following association comprise a fish or a fish group that excavate or otherwise disturb the substrate while foraging, and one or more opportunistic species that capitalize on the small animals and other food types displaced by the foraging activity of the former (Strand, 1988;Lukoschek & McCormick, 2000). This association is a well-known one in the marine environment (see Strand, 1988;Sazima et al, 2007 for overviews), although a few instances are reported from freshwater habitats as well (e.g., Sazima, 1986;Baker & Foster, 1994;Leitão et al, 2007;Teresa & Carvalho, 2008).…”

“…Although the cichlids only approached the ray while it was already stirring the substrate, the association is here regarded as following behavior even if a very transient one (see Sazima et al, 2007;Leitão et al, 2007;Teresa & Carvalho, 2008). The association between cichlids and rays was recorded in still water (marginal ponds and dammed river portions), which favors sediment deposition.…”

“…2). Clouds of sand and other sediment types are one of the most important visual cues for followers to approach a substrate-disturbing fish (e.g., Fricke, 1975;Fishelson, 1977;Sazima et al, 2006;Leitão et al, 2007).…”

Ichthyofauna of Rio Jurubatuba, Santos, São Paulo: a high diversity refuge in impacted lands

“…Menezes & Caramaschi 1994, Aranha & Caramaschi 1999, Mazzoni & Iglesias-Rios 2002a, Mazzoni et al 2002, Mazzoni & Silva, 2006Vitule et al 2007, 2008a, Braga et al 2008, feeding habits (e.g. Aranha & Caramaschi 1999, Aranha et al 2000, Vitule & Aranha 2002, Rezende & Mazoni 2003, Barreto & Aranha 2006, Leitão et al 2007, Mazzoni & Costa 2007, Vitule et al 2008b, population structure (e.g. Braga et al 2007) and spatial distribution (e.g.…”