Effects of predation pressure on the feeding behaviour of the serpa tetra Hyphessobrycon eques (Ostariophysi, Characidae)

Abstract

The indirect, non-lethal results of predation, such as reduction in feeding time or restraint in seeking sexual partners and/or natural resources, have a drastic effect on prey populations. In this study, we investigated the behaviour of two serpa tetras Hyphessobrycon eques groups, one wild and the other born and raised in captivity, to evaluate how their feeding behaviour is affected by the avian predator, the rufescent tiger-heron Trigrisoma lineatum (using a taxidermy specimen). For a total of 133 observation hours, the feeding behaviour of each fish group was observed according to the absence (control) or presence (treatments) of a predator near the aquarium surface. The results showed that the presence of a predator on the surface inhibits the feeding behaviour of H. eques. The differences observed between the groups are probably due to the fishes' experiences with predators. Our results suggest that fish-eating birds may affect prey populations in streams and ponds perhaps more through non-lethal effects, on feeding behaviour for example, than directly through death rates.

Influence of feeding plasticity on the fitness of small Neotropical characids

“…Carvalho & Del-Claro, 2004;Crippa et al, 2009;Ximenes et al, 2011;Alves et al, 2011). Because these species co-occur and show high feeding plasticity, they represent a good model to investigate how changes in food quality (low and high energy) maintain these populations.…”

Boldness as a consistent personality trait in the noble crayfish, Astacus astacus

“…Perceived risk of predation affects foraging decisions and, therefore, alters the form and strength of trophic interactions in many species (e.g. Lima and Dill 1990;Lima and Bednekoff 1999;Carvalho and Del-Claro 2004;Nyström 2005). However, individual animals show repeatable differences in their sensitivity to predation risk.…”

First record of Hysterothylacium sp. Moravec, Kohn et Fernandes, 1993 larvae (Nematoda: Anisakidae) infecting the ornamental fish Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner, 1882 (Characiformes, Characidae)

“…Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner, 1882 is world widely known as serpa tetra (Carvalho and Del-Claro, 2004) or jewel tetra (Fujimoto et al, 2013) and as "mato grosso" in Brazil (Duke Energy, 2008). This fish is part of the "rosy tetra clade" suggested by Weitzman and Palmer (1997).…”

“…Studies with H. eques have been conducted under different approaches: ornamental use (Pan et al, 2011;Morais, 2013), feeding behavior (Carvalho and Del-Claro, 2004), association with macrophytes , indicator of water quality (Carraschi et al, 2011), and diet Crippa et al, 2009;Santana-Porto and Andrian, 2009); however the study of Fujimoto et al (2013) is the only assessment on its parasite fauna. These last authors recorded seasonal occurrence of Quadrigyrus nickoli Schmidt and Hugghins, 1973 cystacanths in H. eques from the Chumucuí River, Pará State, Brazil.…”