Population dynamics of two Andean Trichomycterus species from Bolivia

[bekateen]

Gallo-Cardozo, F., Carvajal-Vallejos, F.M., Careaga, M., Herbas, L., Goitia, E. and Maldonado, M., 2025. Population dynamics of two Andean Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) species from Bolivia. Neotropical Ichthyology, 23, p.e240070.

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0070
https://www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/r5LpqSGxcFHzGPRFvFBysyB/

Abstract
The species of

Trichomycterus

(Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) are small catfish distributed throughout South and Central America, from Patagonia to Costa Rica, at elevations ranging from sea level to over 4,000 m. In Bolivia, 17 species have been recorded, but information about the status of their populations and their relationship with the environment is unknown. This study addressed the population dynamics of two species (T. cf. corduvensis and T. tiraquae) in an Andean river from the Cochabamba Department in Bolivia, over a hydrological cycle. Monthly abundance, size structure, condition factor (K), and the relationship between abundance and environmental factors were calculated using multiple regressions. Results indicated that T. cf. corduvensis is more abundant than T. tiraquae. The temporal variation in the abundance of both species is related to the hydrological cycle and local factors, without showing a clear habitat preference. Juvenile individuals predominate, and the condition factor did not vary significantly.

Keywords: Andean catfish; Condition factor; Environmental factors; Hydrological cycle; Size structure