REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF Hatcheria macraei (TORRENT CATFISH) IN THE PROTECTED NATURAL AREA LA CIÉNAGA, SAN JUAN.

VALENZUELA AGUSTINA; GÓMEZ FABRICIO; ACOSTA JUAN; GARCIA MARIA

Mendoza

Encuentro; XXXVI Reunión Científica Anual Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2018

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Throughout their evolutionary history, species have developed different reproductive strategies to optimize the viability of theiroffspring. In fish, the strategies are closely linked to the environment, especially the seasonal changes in light and temperature,which vary considerably depending on the species. Hatcheria macraei belongs to the family Trichomycteridae and is endemic toSouth America. It is widely distributed in Argentina and to a lesser extent in Chile and is the southernmost species of the family.The La Ciénaga Protected Natural Area preserves an important natural, biological and geological legacy. However, there are norecords of the fish populations present. Therefore, the objective of this work is to know the reproductive biology of H. macraeiwith the purpose of generating base information as a tool for the management of these populations. There were 5 samplings(March, April, July, August and December). 200 individuals were collected, each one was recorded the total length (LT),standard length (LE), long snout cloak (LHC), total weight, eviscerated weight, liver weight and gonads. The latter wereclassified in a macroscopic way taking into account three phases: I) Immature, II) In-maturation and III) Mature. The LE offemales (n = 105) and males (n = 91) showed significant differences (H = 4.31, P = 0.0378) and, the female-male ratio wasbalanced 1: 1. Juvenile females were captured in all months and adults only in July and August. While the males, both adults andjuveniles, were observed every month. It was determined that the minimum reproductive size for females was 55.85mm and formales of 62.19mm. The reproductive time was determined according to changes of the gonado-somatic index (IGS) and absolutefecundity (FA). The IGS (gonado-somatic index) in females showed significant differences (H = 31.67, P =