Predação de moluscos invasores pela ictiofauna: análise no rio Araguari e revisão na bacia hidrográfica do Paraná

Abstract

The introduction of invasive mollusks into aquatic ecosystems has caused several ecological impacts, altering the structure and functioning of native communities. In the Paraná River basin, species such as Melanoides tuberculata, Corbicula fluminea, and Limnoperna fortunei have successfully established and become abundant in various habitats. This chapter presents a literature review on the occurrence of these mollusks in the diet of fish from the Paraná basin, aiming to identify predation patterns, consumer species, and potential ecological implications of incorporating exotic invertebrates into the diet of the ichthyofauna. This review considered 16 studies published between 1999 and 2025, which applied visual methods of stomach content analysis in different regions of the basin. The results show that several fish groups, especially omnivores and invertebrate feeders, include invasive mollusks in their diet, although consumption frequency varies among species, habitats, and invasion stages. L. fortunei is the most frequently recorded species, even in recently invaded areas, suggesting rapid trophic adaptation by the fish assemblage. The consistent presence of these mollusks in fish diets may indicate their integration into local food webs, with potential consequences for native population dynamics and energy flow. Although predation by fish may act as a form of natural control, it does not appear to limit the expansion of invasive mollusks, highlighting the need for integrated management strategies and further studies on the longterm trophic effects of these interactions.