Effects of pollution and watercourse type on trophic structure: the silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus and its food resources in the Maipo River basin as a model

This study examines how pollution and watercourse characteristics affect food availability for the silverside fish Basilichthys microlepidotus. Macroinvertebrate communities were analyzed using stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) across three polluted sites and one non-polluted site in Chile’s Maipo River basin. Polluted sites exhibited lower macroinvertebrate diversity and lower caloric and lipid content. While channelization reduced food quality, fish body condition remained stable, with a preference for Physidae gastropods. Elevated δ15N values in polluted areas suggest dietary shifts, though trophic position stayed constant, highlighting the importance of considering human impacts in freshwater ecosystem management.

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Recommended citation: Briones M, Cortés-Miranda J, Veloso C, Véliz D, Vega-Retter C. Effects of pollution and watercourse type on trophic structure: the silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus and its food resources in the Maipo River basin as a model. Neotrop Ichthyol. 2026; 24(2):e250141.