Environmental predictors of the life history of the flag tetra Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus (Characiformes: Characidae) in streams of the Eastern Amazon

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the reproductive biology of Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus, and its response to environmental variations in the Eastern Amazon streams. We sampled specimens every two months, between March 2019 and January 2020. The population was evaluated for sex ratio, reproductive activity, growth pattern, condition factor, size at the first sexual maturation, spawning type, and fecundity. We analyzed 180 specimens, which showed a sex ratio of 1.6 males for each female across the whole period, with 2.3 males for each female during the period of greatest reproductive activity. The peak of reproductive activity coincided with higher precipitation periods and was partially predicted by factors such as water temperature, stream discharge, dissolved oxygen, substrate complexity, and electrical conductivity. The length where 50% and 100% of population to reach sexual maturity was 18.0 and 22.0 mm for males and 19.7 and 27.0 mm for females. The oocyte diameters showed a bimodal frequency, with at least two batches of oocytes. The average fecundity of 197 oocytes. The results indicate that this species presents an opportunistic strategy, and the tactics that make up this strategy depend on variations in both the physical structure of the habitat and physicochemical aspects of the water.