Ecomorfologia de peixes dos riachos das serras do Araripe, Ibiapaba e Parque Nacional de Ubajara, Ceará, Brasil

Abstract

Ecomorphology studies the environmental factors influence in the organisms morphology. According to the ecomorphological paradigm, it is possible to infer environmental features and resources using morphological characters. Therefore, fish samplings were performed in mountain streams of Araripe, Ibiapaba, Ubajara National Park and its nearby areas to test ecomorphological structure assemblage evaluation and comparison. 31 measurements were made in each specimen and then converted in 22 morphometrical index used in statistical analysis. Stomach content analysis using volumetric feeding index were made to determine the different trophic guilds. To verify the null hypothesis the Mantel test was used and multivariate analysis (PCA and CDA) were made to compare the studied regions. 23 species were captured, and only 18 were used on statistical analysis. The Mantel test resulted in significant relationships to morphology and phylogeny, and the Partial Mantel Test showed that diet influenced body morphology if the phylogeny effect is not considered. The PCA resulted in three significant axes (48% explained variation) and the formed groups were directly related to phylogeny (habit and body compression). The CDA presented three well-defined groups (Araripe x Ibiapaba x PNU and ZPNU), possibly related to environment preservation, geological formation and anthropic influence, with over 90% of explained variation. The ecomorphology, in this case, was not a good environment preservation indicator of the evaluated conservation unit, and other methods or indicators might be more effective in these kind of approach. Another studies related to habitat influence, and convergence/divergence can clarify the studied assemblages’ ecomorphology structure.