Body condition and energy density of juvenile streaked prochilod Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837) in a Neotropical floodplain

ABSTRACT

Variations in energetic density (E _D ) and the relative condition factor (K _n ) of juveniles of Prochilodus lineatus were investigated to identify whether these two variables respond similarly to environmental factors. We hypothesized that fluviometric levels in different sub-basins of the Upper Paraná River floodplain positively influence the E _D and K _n of juvenile fish. Temporally, the values of E _D and K _n were linked more directly to the dynamics of the flood pulses on the plain. Spatially, the lowest values of E _D and K _n were observed in the environment that was directly affected by the operation of dams, the sub-basin Paraná. Although the energy density and condition factor did not show similar results for juveniles in some of the analyses, the evaluation of both parameters provided a complementary tool and additional information that enabled a more accurate investigation of the temporal and spatial dynamic processes in this Neotropical floodplain. We conclude that water level variations in different sub-basins of the Upper Paraná River floodplain considerably affect the relative condition factor and energy status of P. lineatus . We suggest that the impacts of this modification should be mitigated or avoided in order to maintain fish stocks and promote ecosystem integrity.

Keywords:
Condition Factor; Food web; Habitat; Impact; Paraná basin