Biologia reprodutiva e dinâmica populacional de Hypancistrus zebra Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1991 (Siluriformes, Loricariidae), no rio Xingu, Amazônia brasileira

Abstract

Hypancistrus zebra is a specie used with ornamental purposes, endemic and rare in the Middle - Lower Rio Xingu, which has strong demand from the international ornamental fish market, which created a strong pressure of exploitation associated with this species. H.zebra is included on the list of Brazilian fauna threatened with extinction and their capture is prohibited. It is known that even prohibited, it continues to be captured and exported illegally, together with the construction of this hydroelectric Belo Monte in his patch of distribution, which threatens their geographical distribution and lack of information on its biology and ecology make it difficult planning actions for this species. So, if this work aimed to study aspects of reproductive biology and population dynamics to contribute to conservation measures for this species. Specimens of H. zebra were taken monthly from March 2009 to February 2010, by diving with a compressor, on the Xingu River, between the location of the weevil and Rita village of Belo Monte. The captured individuals were weighed and measured (total weight and total length). The gonads were removed and immediately fixed in Bouin solution. This was followed by routine histological techniques and the slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). The stages of gonadal maturation were described based on the presence of germ cells at different stages of development. Through the length frequency data, estimates of population parameters such as growth models, recruitment, mortality, yield per recruit and size of first gonadal maturity. The species showed a seasonal spawning peaks between the two transition seasons of drought and flood (and vice versa) of the river, and two periods of recruitment, with different growth rates. It was estimated that the species has a lifespan of five years, and is at the limit of maximum sustainable yield, which is characterized as a dangerous situation for the species, because any increase in effort will compromise the stock and it is not known impacts that occur as a result of changes in their habitat caused by dam construction.