Journal Article
Population ecology of cave armoured catfish, Ancistrus cryptophthalmus Reis 1987, from central Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)
Trajano, E. and Bichuette, M.E.
Record Number:
2602
Year:
2007
Journal:
Ecology of Freshwater Fish
Pages:
105-115
Volume:
16
Abstract:
The population ecology of Ancistrus cryptophthalmus (Reis 1987) was studied by mark - recapture technique in caves from the Sao Domingos karst area, State of Goias, northeastern Brazil. Total population sizes estimated for Angelica and Passa Tres Caves were 20,000 and 1000 individuals, respectively. Densities around 1.0 individuals per m2 in Angelica, Bezerra and Sao Vicente I Streams, and 0.6 individuals per m2 in the smaller Passa Tres Stream may be considered high for cavefish standards, as well as for epigean loricariids. As expected for benthic grazers, cave catfish are highly sedentary. The distribution of size classes did not differ among caves and within the same cave throughout the studied dry seasons; on the contrary, the condition factor decreased throughout this period probably because of the progressive depletion of organic matter available as food. Low proportions of mature individuals, low growth rates (average = 0.5 mm month-1) with cases of negative growth and high longevities (8-10 years) point to a precocial lifestyle, typical of troglobitic species.
Times Cited:
4