Biological parameters of Pseudocurimata boulengeri (Characiformes: Curimatidae) inhabiting the Chongón dam, Ecuador. Pseudocurimata boulengeri is an endemic species of Ecuador, which sustains a large group of fisher families. The biological data of this species correspond to reports from lotic systems of Los Ríos province; nevertheless, their trend in a lentic system is not yet known. This paper describes the sex ratio, length-weight relationship, gonad development, spawning season and size at reproductive maturity of P. boulengeri, inhabiting the lentic system of Chongón dam, Ecuador. Fish were caught between 2003 and 2009 using gill nets (2.5"). The total length (Lt) of caught specimens ranged from 10.5 to 35.5 cm, spawning occurred between the months of October and March, and size at first maturity for females was estimated at 17.9 cm (Lt) and 20.0 cm (Lt) for males. Between May and October male and female ratios were as expected (1:1), whereas for May, November and April, females ratios were higher than males, situation that coincided with the spawning season. The limnetic conditions and high production characteristics of Chongón dam, have promoted the availability of a great amount of food for this species, which may have allowed P. boulengeri to have a more extended reproductive season in this favorable environment. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (1): 131-146. Epub 2016 March 01.

Galápagos is one of the most pristine archipelagos in the world and its conservation relies upon research and sensible management. In recent decades both the interest in, and the needs of, the islands have increased, yet the funds and capacity for necessary research have remained limited. It has become, therefore, increasingly important to identify areas of priority research to assist decision-making in Galápagos conservation. This study identified 50 questions considered priorities for future research and management. The exercise involved the collaboration of policy makers, practitioners and researchers from more than 30 different organisations. Initially, 360 people were consulted to generate 781 questions. An established process of preworkshop voting and three rounds to reduce and reword the questions, followed by a two-day workshop, was used to produce the final 50 questions. The most common issues raised by this list of questions were human population growth, climate change and the impact of invasive alien species. These results have already been used by a range of organisations and politicians and are expected to provide the basis for future research on the islands so that its sustainability may be enhanced.

Galápagos is one of the most pristine archipelagos in the world and its conservation relies upon research and sensible management. In recent decades both the interest in, and the needs of, the islands have increased, yet the funds and capacity for necessary research have remained limited. It has become, therefore, increasingly important to identify areas of priority research to assist decision-making in Galápagos conservation. This study identified 50 questions considered priorities for future research and management. The exercise involved the collaboration of policy makers, practitioners and researchers from more than 30 different organisations. Initially, 360 people were consulted to generate 781 questions. An established process of preworkshop voting and three rounds to reduce and reword the questions, followed by a two-day workshop, was used to produce the final 50 questions. The most common issues raised by this list of questions were human population growth, climate change and the impact of invasive alien species. These results have already been used by a range of organisations and politicians and are expected to provide the basis for future research on the islands so that its sustainability may be enhanced.