Avaliação espacial das variáveis ambientais e da estrutura trófica da ictiofauna de tributários da Bacia Tocantins Araguaia, Brasil Central

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the ichthyofauna and characterize the physical environmental variables and trophic structure of fishes in tributaries of the Tocantins- Araguaia, state of Goias. The samples were collected in 54 streams and rivers, 28 tributaries of Araguaia River and 26 of Tocantins River. For comparison of the ichthyofauna was used CPUE biomass and for the characterization of the variables were considered the altitude, channel width, luminosity, channel depth, turbidity, water velocity and organic detritus. The trophic structure was determined based on the diet of the fish fauna through analysis of stomach contents and data from literature. The results showed that the biomass of fish fauna present difference between the basins and rivers and streams collected. The analysis showed that the highest values of turbidity and water velocity were more significant for rivers, while in the streams the velocity, luminosity and width were more important. The trophic structure of fish fauna of rivers and streams of the Tocantins-Araguaia was represented by eight trophic guilds (algivore, carnivore, detritivore, herbivore, invertivore lepidophage, omnivore and piscivore), being composed mainly omnivores, invertivores, piscivores and detritivores species of the fishes. The heterogeneity of habitat found in sites sampled may be the main factor for the differences between the rivers and streams studied. For some of the stretches sampled in the basin of Araguaia River are inserted in a flood plain, while those of the Tocantins River basin draining mountainous areas.