Uncovering mechanisms of seed predation by fish

Carvalho, Lucélia Nobre; Júnior, João Batista dos Santos; Correa, Sandra Bibiana

doi:10.1111/btp.13022

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(55 reference statements)

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“…In addition, several reports state that species of Brycon excrete viable seeds of many plant species (Horn, 1997; Piedade et al, 2006; Reys et al, 2009; Weiss et al, 2016) and even ‘steals’ seeds from other fish species when subjected to scarcity (Carvalho et al, 2022). Larger individuals also remove the seed coat/pulp more quickly than smaller ones (Carvalho et al, 2021), which can also increase its effectiveness as seed dispersers. In addition, its long‐distance migratory habits (Lima, 2017) also contribute to the dispersion both upstream and downstream in the aquatic system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of fish assemblage as seed dispersers in Amazon oligotrophic flooded forests

et al. 2023

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In tropical and highly diverse systems, Seed Dispersal Effectiveness (SDE) is a very useful approach to investigating the role of seed dispersers in one of the most important and complex phases of plants by analysing the quantitative (QC) and qualitative (QL) components of the seed dispersal process. Although fishes are recognized as an important guild of frugivores in flooded environments, we still know very little about the dispersal effectiveness performed by this group. Our study evaluated two quantitative subcomponents of effectiveness, where we used: (a) the volume of intact and crushed seeds found in the stomach and intestine of fish (QC1), and (b) the total number of tested and viable seeds (QC2). From these subcomponents, a two‐dimensional landscape of effectiveness was generated and a fish species was ranked according to the quantitative component of the SDE. Eight species of fish consumed 1054 seeds belonging to 16 plant species. Sphinctanthus striiflorus, Corynostylis pubescens, Connarus sp. and Piper sp., were the most abundant plant species in fish's diets, totalling 95% (N = 983) of the seeds consumed. We used a tetrazolium viability test protocol and about 678 (85%) of the 797 seeds tested were viable and 119 (14.7%) were unviable; the viability test was inconclusive for less than 1% of the seeds. Our findings showed that, as seen in other effectiveness studies with terrestrial vertebrate dispersers, fish species also have different degrees of effectiveness. Additionally, we pointed out that the fish species more specialized in the consumption of fruits and seeds were quantitatively more effective dispersers, while species with lower SDE corresponded to generalists that just occasionally consume seeds. We suggest that high‐diversity fish assemblages allow for greater complementarity in the seed dispersal interaction, which can potentially favour the recruitment of plant species via ichthyochory.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of fish assemblage as seed dispersers in Amazon oligotrophic flooded forests

et al. 2023

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“…The importance of fruits and seeds in the diet of young individuals of B. falcatus needs to be further investigated. Preliminary observations show fruit consumption by some juvenile fishes (SL 7.9–15.6 cm, N = 13) during the dry season (41.6% average volume proportion of stomach contents, SD = 29.3 and range = 1%–99% of fruits and seeds; L. N. Carvalho, unpublished data, 2021).…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The study highlighted remarkable precision in the oral manipulation of seeds where fish were able to remove the seed coat of individual seeds and masticate the endocarp (Carvalho et al . 2021).…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A feeding experiment with B. cephalus, to assess seed predation by fish on dehiscent seeds, observed that B. cephalus rapidly swallowed whole seeds, then later regurgitated them, and reingested and processed one by one. The study highlighted remarkable precision in the oral manipulation of seeds where fish were able to remove the seed coat of individual seeds and masticate the endocarp (Carvalho et al 2021).…”

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Fish thieves: An alternative tactic of food capture in a Neotropical frugivorous species (Brycon falcatus)

2022

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Frugivorous fishes switch their diets seasonally in response to fluctuating food availability; a strategy that maximizes energy and nutrient intake and reduces competition for food. Kleptoparasitism is a form of competition that involves the stealing of already-procured items, for which the host has invested energy in prey capture. We did not find previous studies on kleptoparasitism among Neotropical fish. Here we contribute the first record of kleptoparasitism among a frugivorous fish species. The matrinxã (Brycon falcatus) is a member of an iconic genus of broadly distributed frugivorous fishes. We made focal daylight underwater observations (by snorkeling) of frugivorous fish behavior in an Amazonian stream. Opportunistic feeding interactions between a school of juvenile matrinxã, (B. falcatus) and an individual of threespot leporinus (Leporinus friderici) were observed. The matrinxã stole the fruit that was captured in the substrate by the leporinus. Brycon falcatus usually lives between the middle of the water column to the surface of rivers and streams while Leporinus friderici occupies the lower portion of the water column and it actively forages close to the substrate. This suggests that stealing food from a benthic feeder is an opportunistic ecological interaction to take advantage of scarce resources during the period of food scarcity. This alternative technique of capturing fruits may be advantageous (i.e., save energy expenditures related to searching) for young matrinxã who do not eat fruit as frequently as adults. Our results reflect the trophic plasticity and foraging opportunism characteristic of most tropical freshwater fish. We believe that the hydrological period in which the observations were made, when a few trees were bearing fruit, can favor fruit stealing by Brycon falcatus.

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“…Pacus (Serrasalmidae) are keystone riparian herbivore and seed dispersers that crush fruits and transport their seeds throughout the Amazon basin (Carvalho et al, 2021;Correa et al, 2007;Correa et al, 2015;Correa & Winemiller, 2014;Goulding, 1980;Goulding & Carvalho, 1982;Prudente et al, 2016). These fishes do not engulf prey whole but instead, reduce it through brute-force biting, excising small edible pieces each time the food item is repositioned (Alexander, 1967;Irish, 1987;Grubich et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lip service: Histological phenotypes correlate with diet and feeding ecology in herbivorous pacus

Cohen

Lucanus

Summers

et al. 2022

The Anatomical Record

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Complex prey processing requires the repositioning of food between the teeth, as modulated by a soft tissue appendage like a tongue or lips. In this study, we trace the evolution of lips and ligaments, which are used during prey capture and prey processing in an herbivorous group of fishes. Pacus (Serrasalmidae) are Neotropical freshwater fishes that feed on leaves, fruits, and seeds. These prey are hard or tough, require high forces to fracture, contain abrasive or caustic elements, or deform considerably before failure. Pacus are gape-limited and do not have the pharyngeal jaws many bony fishes use to dismantle and/or transport prey. Despite their gape limitation, pacus feed on prey larger than their mouths, relying on robust teeth and a hypertrophied lower lip for manipulation and breakdown of food. We used histology to compare the lip morphology across 14 species of pacus and piranhas to better understand this soft tissue. We found that frugivorous pacus have larger, more complex lips which are innervated and folded at their surface, while grazing species have callused, mucus-covered lips. Unlike mammalian lips or tongues, pacu lips lack any intrinsic skeletal or smooth muscle. This implies that pacu lips lack dexterity; however, we found a novel connection to the primordial ligament which suggests that the lips are actuated by the jaw adductors. We propose that pacus combine hydraulic repositioning of prey inside the buccal cavity with direct oral manipulation, the latter using a combination of a morphologically heterodont dentition and compliant lips for reorienting food.

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Uncovering mechanisms of seed predation by fish

Cited by 4 publications

References 45 publications

Effectiveness of fish assemblage as seed dispersers in Amazon oligotrophic flooded forests

Effectiveness of fish assemblage as seed dispersers in Amazon oligotrophic flooded forests

Fish thieves: An alternative tactic of food capture in a Neotropical frugivorous species (Brycon falcatus)

Lip service: Histological phenotypes correlate with diet and feeding ecology in herbivorous pacus

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