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Ecological Impact of the Invasive Armored Catfish (Loricariidae) on Fish Assemblages and Implications for Conservation in Northern Guatemala
Date
2023-08-07Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Pterygoplichthys in LPR relative to SPR. In LPR, native fishes rely more on watercolumn resources compared to SPR where benthic resources are more important for fish
body mass. The relative biomass of the invader was significantly associated with native
fish δ13C, along with conductivity and water flow velocity, and water depth and
sedimentation had a significant association with native fish δ15N. I conclude that
Pterygoplichthys invasion has impacted the trophic ecology and populations of native
fishes that share similar food resources. Given the apparent influence of environmental
factors on local fish assemblages, additional impacts to aquatic ecosystems must be
considered when addressing native fish conservation. Long-term field research and
mesocosm experiments could help to elucidate specific mechanisms involved in
Pterygoplichthys impact on native fishes and river ecosystems.
Citation
Quintana Morales, Yasmin Odette Nelisa (2023). Ecological Impact of the Invasive Armored Catfish (Loricariidae) on Fish Assemblages and Implications for Conservation in Northern Guatemala. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /200069.