Although many studies have been made on fish community
changes in reservoirs, the diversity of situations means that general
models are still difficult to construct. In order to be useful to
managers, the information gathered in these studies must cover the
regional taxonomic peculiarities. The inclusion of ecological strategies
allows the detection of general patterns of fish community change.
In the present study, multivariate analyses and non-parametric tests
were used in order to detect relationships between ecological traits
of 39 fish species and pelagic fish assemblages. We used gillnet
captures of fish made in the Sinnamary River before filling of the
Petit-Saut Reservoir and in the reservoir 8 years after closure
of the dam and published data on fish species diet, life history parameters
and morphology. Significant relationships were detected between
fish assemblages and every ecological trait, which would have allowed
the forecast of the type of species able to colonize the Petit-Saut Reservoir.
Provided that the general characteristics of a river before damming
are taken into account, it seems that feeding strategies can be
used to predict future fish population and species changes on a
general basis. Conversely, the lack of published data prevents definitive conclusions
from being drawn concerning life-history and swimming strategies.