Population structure and reproductive biology of Cichla kelberi (Perciformes, Cichlidae) in Lobo Reservoir, Brazil

Abstract

The structure of Cichla kelberi population was characterized regarding the sex ratio, total length composition and some reproductive characteristics. The specimens were collected in two periods, from November 2002 to November 2003 and from December 2004 to May 2006. The sex ratio was significantly different than 1:1. The total length varied from 3.4 to 40.1 cm, with individuals in the shortest length classes occurring throughout the year, but with greater incidence in the warmer periods. Females and males reached similar lengths and there was no difference between the sexes regarding the length-weight relationship.The estimated values of condition factor were near the central value of 1.0 and decreased during the cooler months, coinciding with periods of lower reproductive activity. Individuals with mature or semi-spent gonads occurred from November to April, indicating that Cichla kelberi reproduces for a long period of time. The spawning is partitioned, with an average absolute fecundity of 6072 oocytes (from 5220 to 6908 oocytes). The high relative condition factor values, long reproductive period, large output of fingerlings and high fecundity are biological conditions that indicate the species is well adapted in this reservoir.A população de Cichla kelberi foi caracterizada quanto à proporção sexual, composição em comprimento total e algumas características reprodutivas. As coletas foram realizadas em dois períodos, de novembro de 2002 a novembro de 2003 e de dezembro de 2004 a maio de 2006. A proporção sexual foi significativamente diferente de 1:1. Os comprimentos totais variaram de 3,4 a 40,1 cm sendo que a ocorrência de indivíduos nas classes de menor comprimento se deu ao longo de todo o ano, com maior incidência nos períodos mais quentes. Fêmeas e machos atingem comprimentos similares e não houve diferença entre os sexos quanto à relação peso -comprimento. Os valores do fator de condição estimados foram próximos ao valor centralizador 1.0 e apresentaram quedas nos meses mais frios, coincidindo com períodos de menor atividade reprodutiva. Indivíduos com gônadas Maduras ou Semi Esgotadas ocorreram de setembro a abril, indicando que Cichla kelberi reproduz-se por um longo período. A desova é do tipo parcelada e apresenta, em média, uma fecundidade absoluta de 6072 ovócitos (de 5220 a 6908 ovócitos). Os altos valores de fator de condição relativo, longo período reprodutivo, grande produção de larvas e fecundidade alta são condições biológicas que indicam boa adaptação da espécie neste reservatório.

Influence of the flood pulse on the reproduction of Tocantinsia piresi (Miranda Ribeiro) and Auchenipterus nuchalis (Spix & Agassiz) (Auchenipteridae) of the middle Xingu River, Brazil

“…The size of male T. piresi at first maturity was greater than that of the females, an unusual pattern in tropical fishes, although larger males at first maturity are often observed in some cichlid species (Camara et al, 2002;Souza et al, 2008) because their reproductive behaviour, such as competition for spawning, parental care, and mate choice, is based mainly on criteria of size and colour (Lowe McConnell, 1969;Muñoz et al, 2006). Given this, the larger size of the T. piresi males may be related to reproductive strategies such as mate choice and spawning site selection.…”

Reproductive traits of Gymnogeophagus labiatus (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in an upper stretch of Sinos river, Caraá, Brazil

“…Those species were characterized as acyclic spawners. In the same way, Satanoperca pappaterra (Heckel, 1840) (Vazzoler, 1996), Gymnogeophagus lacustris (hartz et al, 1999), species of Cichla (chellaPPa et al, 2003;Gomiero & braGa, 2004;souza et al, 2008) and Geophagus brasiliensis (barbieri et al, 1981), were characterized as multiple spawners, although the later was defined as total spawner by santos & Fontoura (2000).…”

Feeding and reproductive ecology of Cichla piquiti Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 within its native range, Lajeado reservoir, rio Tocantins basin

“…In addition, the regional climate in the Tocantins basin is tropical warm, so temperature is not a limiting factor. In southern basins, where seasonal variation in temperature is remarkable (warm summers and cold winters), reproduction is restricted to warm months (Souza et al, 2008;Gomiero et al, 2009;Vieira et al, 2009;Pelicice et al, 2015). Therefore, environmental stability in Lajeado (water level and temperature) may explain the absence of trade-offs in energy allocation over the year, since reproductive and feeding activities are continuous among different individuals of the population.…”

“…Basic ecological aspects (e.g., feeding, reproduction) have been studied in hydrographic basins where Cichla is nonnative, particularly in the rio Paraná basin (e.g., Fugi et al, 2008;Souza et al, 2008;Gomiero et al, 2009;Vieira et al, 2009;Espínola et al, 2010;Villares Junior & Gomiero, 2010;Luiz et al, 2011;Santos et al, 2011). This information is important to clarify issues related to impact and invasion, but has little significance for the understanding of colonization, dynamics and persistence of native populations in Amazonian reservoirs.…”

“…For example, in natural fluvial environments, reproduction is usually constrained by water level variation (Jepsen et al, 1999;Muñoz et al, 2006), while feeding is diverse and essentially piscivorous (Jepsen et al, 1997;Winemiller, 2001;Montaña et al, 2011). In non-Amazonian reservoirs, reproduction is constrained by temperature (Souza et al, 2008;Gomiero et al, 2009;Vieira et al, 2009;Pelicice et al, 2015) and diet is poor and based on cannibalism, invertebrates and non-native fish (Fugi et al, 2008;Capra & Benneman, 2009;Villares Junior & Gomiero, 2010;Santos et al, 2011). In Amazonian reservoirs, however, feeding and breeding patterns may be less constrained by environmental variation, considering that seasonal variations in hydrology and temperature are small, and that prey fish (small-sized) are abundant and diverse.…”