FOOD COMPOSITION AND CULICIDAE LARVAE PREFERENCE OF TWO INDIGENOUS FISHES IN MESOCOSM EXPERIENCES

BONIFACIO, ALEJO FABIAN; AUN, LILIANA; MARTORI, RICARDO

Congreso; 2da Reunión Conjunta de las Sociedades de Biología de la República Argentina; 2011

Sociedad Argentina de Biología - Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo - Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba

EB4- FOOD COMPOSITION AND CULICIDAE LARVAEPREFERENCE OF TWO INDIGENOUS FISHES INMESOCOSM EXPERIENCESBonifacio AF, Aun L, Martori R.Cat Zoología Sistemática, Dpto Cs. Naturales, UNRC.E-mail: alejobonifacio@gmail.comFood preference for one target is a trait characteristic to assess thesuitability of a species for biological control. Food compositionand culicidae larvae preference of Jenynsia multidentata andCnesterodon decemmaculatus were analized in mesocosm experiencesto determine the relative preference for mosquitoes larvae.Six enclosures of 22 cm in diameter were placed in pools of 80 x450 cm of standing water containing great quantity and variety ofaquatic invertebrates, including mosquitoes larvae. Five individualsof each species were placed in each enclosure. The individualfishes were starved for a period of 72 hs before experiments. Experienceslasted 2 hours. Cladocerans were eaten most by both species,followed by culicidae larvae for J. multidentata andchironomidae larvae for C. decemmaculatus. J. multidentata presentthe higher food items richness and absolut numerosity and frecuencyof occurrence for culicidae larvae, that will be indicating high suitabilityof this species for biocontrol. Even though, its greater preferencefor cladocerans could make us doubt of its capacity formosquito control. The short lasting of experiences could be alsounderestimating C. decemmaculatus biocontrol skills, as it?s beenshown in others studies.