The objective was to study seasonal aspects of the piracatinga catfish (Calophysus macropterus) growth and its relationship with the flood pulse. Analyzed from June 1997 to May 1998 were 446 specimens from the Amazon River. Using the period regression model with several biometric indexes gave the following results: two periods of low growth were identified in the vertebrae of C. macropterus, the first during falling water (August) and the second during rising water (January), using marginal increment analysis (MIA). This pattern was also observed in the annual variation of the regression coefficient of the length-weight relationship (b), and Feeding Index (FI), but an inverse relationship was observed with the Maturity Index (MI). These results suggest that reproduction occurs from January to February in the rising water season, when C. macropterus reaches sexual maturity at 1.4 and 1.5 of age for females and males, respectively. The parameters of BertalanffyÕs model were SL = 40.05[1)e )0.44(t)0.37) ] for females and SL = 41.9[1)e )0.42(t)0.36) ] for males. Natural mortality was high ($:0.42-#:0.40) and longevity low ($:6.8-#:7.1 years). The present study demonstrates that seasonal growth in C. macropterus is correlated with the flood pulse, especially in periods of rising and falling waters. These results, analyzed by the periodic regression model, showed that reproduction, migration or changes in feeding behavior have relationships with annulus formation in hard structures in this species. All quantitative indexes show clear seasonal variation to be correlated with river water level fluctuations.

RESUMO -O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a estrutura calcificada mais adequada para a determinação da idade da piracatinga (Calophysus macropterus). Foram analisados 440 indivíduos procedentes da pesca comercial e experimental do Baixo Solimões. Deste total, foram analisados opérculos, otólitos (asteriscus) e vértebras de uma sub-amostra de 130 indivíduos. Para a observação dos anéis de crescimento nos otólitos, foram testadas duas técnicas de clarificação e quatro técnicas de coloração nas vértebras. A análise das estruturas calcificada demonstrou que os otólitos são estruturas pouco translúcidas e apresentam dificuldades para a observação das marcas de crescimento. Por outro lado os opérculos não apresentaram marcas visíveis de crescimento, e nas vértebras foi observado um padrão nítido e estável de marcação de anéis de crescimento. Portanto, as vértebras foram as estruturas mais adequadas para determinar a idade da piracatinga, além de apresentar uma relação linear significativa entre o raio total das vértebras e o comprimento do peixe (r=0,91; P<0,05). Entre os métodos testados para a visualização dos anéis nas vértebras de peixes teleosteos, a técnica nova a de Hiper-oxidação e Descalcificação Química (HDQ), mostrou ser a melhor. ABSTRACT -The goal of this study was to identify the best calcified structure for determination of the age of the piracatinga (Calophysus macropterus). A total of 440 specimens from commercial samples and experimental fishing in the Solimões River. Were used for analysis: Opercula, otoliths, and vertebrae were analyzed from a sub sample (n=130). Two clarification techniques were used for visualization of growth rings in the otoliths and four coloration techniques for vertebrae. The otoliths were not translucent and it was very difficult to see the growth rings. The vertebrae were the best calcified structure because the radius of the vertebrae and the length of fish had clear significant linear relationship (r= 0.91; P<0.05) and a clear visualization of the growth rings. Among the techniques used for examining vertebrae of the teleostean fishes, the chemical decalcification, hyper-oxidation technique, was the best to observe the growth rings in the vertebrae. The seasonal rings were validated using relative marginal incremental analysis. Two annual rings are formed in the vertebrae of Calophysus macropterus, being the first during low water (August) and the second during high water season (January). On the vertebrae, a maximum of seven rings were observed.

The biodiversity crisis has had particularly harsh impacts on marine environments. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about how many species have been seriously impacted and the effectiveness of protection measures (e.g., marine protected areas or MPAs) due to high levels of cryptic species in many taxa. Here, we employ an integrative taxonomy approach to mullet species in the genus Mugil. In addition to its high economic value, this genus is notable for having diversified ~29 million years ago without marked morphological and ecological divergence. We obtained 129 specimens of Mugil from the Coral Coast MPA, the largest of its kind in the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic marine province. Although morphometric and meristic traits revealed six taxonomically recognized species, only five mitochondrial lineages were observed. All individuals morphologically identified as M. incilis belonged to the mitochondrial lineage of Mugil curema, which is consistent with misidentification of morphologically similar species and an overestimation of species diversity. Remarkably, Mugil species in our sample that diverged up to ~23 million years ago are also the most morphologically similar (M. curema and M. rubrioculus), suggesting extreme morphological conservatism, possibly driven by similarities in habitat use and life-history traits. This study demonstrates the potential utility of integrative taxonomy (including DNA barcoding) for contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

The tiger shovelnose catfish (Pseudoplatystoma metaense) identified in literature prior to 2007 as P. tigrinum is the most important catfish species in the Orinoco River fishery, because of its abundance and high market price. The aim of this study was to obtain age, growth and population parameters of the of tiger shovelnose catfish. A total of 2,183 catfish, were sampled during 1996-2003 from the commercial fishery of the northwestern Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela, and were aged by examination of otoliths. Validation of otolith annuli was achieved with marginal increment analysis. Results suggest that, the opaque and translucent zones of otoliths were formed once per year. Length-weight relation and the von Bertalanffy growth model parameters were used to evaluate growth and other population parameters. A strong link between the annual flood pulse and opaque zone formation was confirmed in tiger shovelnose catfish. The total mortality (Z) and natural mortality (M) were estimated. Based in the reference points for optimal and limit fishing mortality rates (F opt and F limit ) this species is exploited above optimum levels. We thus recommend a closed fishing season during their seasonal reproduction, and establishment of a system of fish refuges to help sustain the population.

Using geometric morphometrics, the skull and otolith of tiger catfish Pseudoplatystoma metaense were analysed to identify population structure in tributaries of the Apure River (i.e. the Sarare, Caparo, Guanare, Portuguesa and San Carlos Rivers) in the Orinoco basin, Venezuela. The analyses show uniformity in skull and otolith shapes of P. metaense within and among four tributaries, with only the Caparo River showing significant differences. Within the Apure basin, the stock of P. metaense was differentiated through spawning, refuge and nursery areas. This study concludes that populations of P. metaense from each major tributary in the Orinoco basin should be considered as part of a metapopulation system for management purposes. Human disturbances in the catchment have directly reduced the spawning areas available to this species, decreased the total biomass and changed the spatial distribution of spawning areas.

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