Diversidad íctica del río Andágueda, cuenca del Atrato, Chocó, Colombia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the fish diversity of the Andágueda River basin, a tributary of the Atrato. Methodology: Sampling was carried out in different sections of the river, using a com bination of traditional fishing gear from the region such as cast nets, tolas, catangas, trammel nets and trawl nets. Results: 295 individuals belonging to four orders, 10 families and 18 species were captured. The community was dominated by the Siluriformes and Characiformes with the families Loricariidae and Characidae. At the specific level Astyanax fasciatus, Hoplias malabaricus and Sturisoma panamense, were the species that recorded the highest abundances. The estimated ecological indices yielded mean diversity values for the three sampling stations, dominance, and high equity, which showed the absence of dominant species and an almost equitable distribution of the species. Regarding the conservation status, IUCN classifies the bocachico Prochilodus magdalenae and the damsel Ageneiosus pardalis, under the category of Vulnerable species. Conclusion: Diversity and dominance were low for the basin, while equity presented relatively high values, indicating that the species are evenly distributed in the environment, a behavior that may be closely related to the heterogeneity of the aquatic component present in the area, which provides a greater opportunity for micro-environments conducive to the establishment of a wide range of species.