Abstract
The experiment aimed to study the influence of the aquatic plants E. najas, P. stratiotes and S. auriculata on the predation of P. mesopotamicus larvae by P. flavescens. One hundred and twenty larvae of P. mesopotamicus and 24 larvae of P. flavescens were placed in 24 aquariums with capacity of 12 L, with one Odonate per aquarium. Treatments were different regarding the species of aquatic plants E. najas, S. auriculata and P. stratiotes, with one control treatment without aquatic plants. One aquarium (12 L) containing one Odonate and 30 P. mesopotamicus larvae was considered one experimental unit. After 18 hours, the Odonates were removed from the aquariums and fish larvae left (alive) were counted in each experimental unit. The survival rate of P. mesopotamicus larvae in the treatment without aquatic plants (control) was significantly lower than in the treatment with E. najas. However, the survival rates in the aquariums with floating aquatic plants did not differ from the control. The morphological characteristics of E. najas promoted higher structural complexity in the environment, offering more protection to the fish larvae, and increasing their survival. We concluded that the presence of the submerged aquatic plant E. najas promoted the reduction of predation of P. mesopotamicus larvae by Pantala flavescens.
Highlights
Aquatic plants play an important role in the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems (THOMAZ et al, 2005)
Aquatic insects have been considered important predators of fish larvae in natural environments (McCORMICK; POLIS, 1982; LOUARN; CLOAREC, 1997)
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of aquatic plants Egeria najas, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia auriculata on the predation of Piaractus mesopotamicus larvae by Pantala flavescens
Summary
Aquatic plants play an important role in the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems (THOMAZ et al, 2005). Biological Sciences aquatic macro- and microinvertebrates (LANSACTÔHA et al, 2003; TAKEDA et al, 2003), and biomass, cover or diversity of aquatic plants. Aquatic insects have been considered important predators of fish larvae in natural environments (McCORMICK; POLIS, 1982; LOUARN; CLOAREC, 1997). 147-151, 2010 important role in the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems and are considered one of the main predators of the littoral zone of lakes According to McGrinty (1980), Odonate larvae of Pantala sp. Were responsible for the consumption of all catfish larvae (Ictalurus punctatus), when stored in tanks without chemical control. In tanks with chemical treatment, the survival of Ictalurus punctatus larvae was around 85%
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