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Seasonal and diel variation of shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda) on sandbanks of a tropical floodplain river

2014; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 48; Issue: 9-10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00222933.2013.840398

1464-5262

José Vicente Montoya, D. Albrey Arrington, Kirk O. Winemiller,

Fish Biology and Ecology Studies

AbstractWe studied seasonal and diel changes of shrimp abundance in sandbanks of the Cinaruco River, a tropical floodplain tributary of the Orinoco River. Paired diurnal and nocturnal samples were collected from seven river-channel sandbanks during different periods of an annual hydrological cycle. We collected 3730 shrimp representing two families: Sergestidae (Acetes paraguayensis) and Palaemonidae (six species). Patterns of temporal and spatial variation of shrimp abundance on sandbanks of the Cinaruco indicated responsiveness to both diurnal cycles and the annual hydrological regime. The presence of submerged vegetation and the absence of ridge-and-trough topography on sandbanks were the factors most strongly associated with high shrimp abundance. We conclude that the river’s seasonal flow regime and geomorphology create the heterogeneity of hydraulic habitats that is essential for diel movements of shrimp between areas used for nocturnal foraging and diurnal refuge.Keywords: Acetes paraguayensisbenthoshabitatPalaemonidaeOrinoco AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to G. Webb and C. Lofgren of Tour Apure and Carol Marzuola and Edgar Pelaez of the Cinaruco River Fishing Club at Laguna Larga for logistical support. D. Taphorn provided invaluable advice and logistical assistance throughout this study. DAA thanks the Stergios family for their generous hospitality. J. Arrington, C. Garcia, J. Garcia, C. Layman and C. Marzuola assisted with field collections. We thank the Servicio Autonomo de Los Recursos Pesqueros y Acuicolas of Venezuela for providing a scientific collecting permit #0192. This research was funded through grants from the National Geographic Society (KOW), US National Science Foundation (#DEB-0089834 and #0107456 to KOW), L.T. Jordan Institute (DAA), and International Sportfish Fund (KOW and DAA).