Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:28:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 boscolo_cnp_me_jabo.pdf: 894828 bytes, checksum: 888a8e7f88c78fee4acfad75297e24e1 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Animais com a mesma habilidade de luta podem lutar por mais tempo e intensamente do que em confrontos assimétricos. Assim, a seleção de peixes pela similaridade de tamanho em manejos da piscicultura pode causar um aumento das interações agressivas e levar à instabilidade social em peixes socialmente organizados. Assim, testou-se a hipótese de que o agrupamento de animais de tamanhos semelhantes aumenta as interações agressivas entre machos de tilápia-do-nilo, linhagem GIFT. Este, por sua vez, aumenta o estresse social e desestabiliza a hierarquia social. Foram comparados dois tratamentos: um grupo homogêneo (HM), formado por cinco machos revertidos com variação de tamanho entre 9,0 e 9,4 cm; e um grupo heterogêneo (HT), formado por cinco animais de tamanhos variando entre 7,5 e 11,5 cm (n=16 para cada tratamento). Os peixes foram mantidos nesses grupos por seis dias, nos quais as interações agonísticas foram registradas a partir do segundo dia de agrupamento (10 min dia-1 – 5 sessões de observação). Níveis de cortisol plasmático e taxa de crescimento específico (TCE) foram utilizados para inferir estresse social. A frequência de interações agonísticas foi maior no HM (média ± S.E: HM = 302,06± 20,13 x 10 min-1; HT = 151,06 ± 13,35 x 10 min-1). Mudanças na posição social ocorreram neste grupo, indicando instabilidade social. Entretanto, os níveis de cortisol (HM = 27,54 ± 3,02 ng mL-1; HT = 24,42 ± 2,41 ng mL-1) e TCE (HM = -0,53 ± 0,04%; HT = -0,64 ± 0,08%) foram similares entre os tratamentos. Dessa forma, conclui-se que o agrupamento de peixes de tamanhos semelhantes aumenta as interações agressivas e desestabiliza a hierarquia social. Assim, apesar de não terem sido encontradas diferenças nos indicadores de estresse, pode-se concluir, com base em comportamento, que o agrupamento de animais de tamanhos semelhante reduz o bem-estar de peixes sociais... / Animals with similar fighting ability can fight intensely and longer than animals in 27 asymmetric contests. Thus, the selection of fish by size similarity in husbandry might increase 28 aggressive interactions, and lead to social instability in socially organized fish. We tested the 29 hypothesis that grouping similar size animals increases aggressive interactions between males of 30 Genetic Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT). This, in turn, enhances social stress and destabilizes 31 social hierarchy. We compared two treatments: a homogeneous group (HM) formed by five 32 males ranging in size from 9.0 to 9.4 cm, and a heterogeneous group (HT) formed by five males 33 sizing from 7.5 to 11.5 cm (n = 16 each treatment). The fish were kept in these groups for six 34 days, in which agonistic interactions were video-recorded daily from the second day of 35 grouping (10 min/ day – five observation sessions). Plasma cortisol levels and specific growth 36 rate (SGR) were used to infer stress level. The frequency of agonistic interactions was higher in 37 the HM (mean ± S.E.: HM = 302.06 ± 20.13 x 50 min-1; HT = 151.06 ± 13.35 x 50 min-1). 38 Changes in social position occurred over time in this group, indicating social instability. 39 However, cortisol levels (HM = 27.54 ± 3.02 ng.mL-1; HT = 24.42 ± 2.41 ng.mL-1) and SGR 40 (HM = -0.53 ± 0.04 %; HT = -0.64 ± 0.08 %) were similar between treatments. Thus, we 41 conclude that the grouping of similar size fish increases aggressive interactions and destabilizes 42 social hierarchy. Although no significant differences were found on indicators of stress we can 43 conclude, based on behavior, that groups of similar sized animals reduces the welfare in social 44 fish, because chances of injuries are higher than in heterogeneous groups

The diversity and biogeography of three dominant cichlid genera (Australoheros, Gymnogeophagus and Crenicichla) is reviewed within the Argentinean province of Misiones based on newly collected material specifically for this study. The results have revealed strikingly different structuring and origin of diversity between the three genera with implications for a future PhD study. The biogeographic implications of the reconstructed phylogenies using mitochondrial DNA have been compared with the geological history of the area revealing many new insights.

Les invasions biologiques sont reconnues comme un facteur évolutif important sur une échelle de temps courte. Elles affectent notamment la structure génétique des populations, les patrons d’évolution phénotypique et la richesse des faunes de parasites associées aux populations envahissantes. Cette étude se propose de quantifier les conséquences d’une invasion biologique suivant ces trois niveaux (génétique, phénotypique et parasitologique) en prenant pour exemple le cas du tilapia du Mozambique Oreochromis mossambicus. Ce cichlidé africain présente un statut remarquable en biologie de la conservation puisqu’il est à la fois (i) l’une des espèces les plus envahissantes au monde car dispersée à l’échelle globale au cours du XXème siècle et (ii) une espèce « quasi-menacée » (UICN) sur son aire native (partie du sud-est de l’Afrique) du fait de son hybridation massive avec d’autres Oreochromis sp. introduits. La démarche générale employée ici est de décrire l’histoire récente des populations à l’aide de marqueurs nucléaires (AFLP) et des séquences de l’ADN mitochondrial (ADNmt), puis de mettre en relation ces résultats génétiques avec la diversité morphologique et la parasitologie des populations. Deux systèmes différents ont été étudiés : Au sein de l’aire native, l’étude se focalise sur le Limpopo inférieur et le sous-bassin de la Changane (Mozambique). Des patrons d’introgression incluant trois espèces en présence sont détectés, mais les hybrides sont peu fréquents et leur expansion limitée. Ces résultats sont de plutôt bonne augure pour la conservation d’O. mossambicus et ils permettent d’identifier deux zones de conservation prioritaires. L’étude des parasites indique une plus grande diversité parasitaire mais de faibles prévalences dans les sites de moindre valeur en conservation, ce qui pourrait favoriser le succès des espèces introduites et de leurs hybrides. Parmi les territoires envahis, les AFLP et l’ADNmt soutiennent une homogénéité générale et une diversité génétique faible, qui sont interprétées comme le résultat d’un fort goulot d’étranglement précédant l’expansion à l’échelle mondiale. Une structure des populations en lien avec la géographie à large échelle (Nouvelle-Calédonie, Guadeloupe, Jamaïque) est cependant détectée. La variation de la forme du corps est également structurée à large échelle géographique, ce en dépit des fortes variations environnementales enregistrées à l’échelle locale. Cela suggère un effet des contraintes génétiques sur la diversification morphologique contemporaine. L’absence de parasites monogènes sur les populations introduites en Nouvelle-Calédonie peut être mise en relation avec un évènement fondateur, et est proposé comme l’un des facteurs ayant pu favoriser le succès de l’espèce. En conclusion, une faible diversité génétique ne contraint vraisemblablement pas un potentiel envahissant élevé et une diversification rapide chez les tilapias. / Biological invasions are recognized as a significant evolutionary factor over short time scales. In particular, their effect is well recorded on the genetic structure of populations, the patterns of phenotypic evolution and the richness of parasite fauna associated to invasive populations. This study aims at quantifying the consequences of a biological invasion according to these three levels (genetical, phenotypical and parasitological) taking as example the Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. This African cichlid is characterized by an unusual conservation status since it is both (i) ranked among the world’s worst invasive species due to its global dispersion during the 20th century and (ii) sorted as “near-threatened” (IUCN) over its native range (a part of south-east Africa) because of massive hybridization with alien introduced Oreochromis species. The approach used in this study imply to describe the recent history of populations using nuclear (AFLP) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers, and then to compare this genetic background to results describing the morphological and parasitological diversity of populations. Two different biological systems were studied: 1) Within the native range, the study focuses on the Lower Limpopo and the Changane sub-drainage (Mozambique). Introgression patterns involving the three co-occurring species were detected, but the frequency of hybrid is low and their geographic expansion is limited. These results provided rather good auspices for the conservation of O. mossambicus, and they allowed to identify two zones of high conservation priorities. The parasitological survey reveals high parasite richness and low prevalences among sites of low conservation values. This last pattern could favour the success of alien introduced species and their hybrids. 2) Among the invasive range of O. mossambicus, both AFLP and mtDNA support a strong genetic homogeneity and a low genetic diversity, a pattern interpreted as resulting from a strong population bottleneck preceding the events of global dispersion. A pattern of population structure related to large scale geography (New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, Jamaica) is nevertheless detected. Body shape variation is also primarily structured at large geographical scale, suggesting a role for genetic constrains on contemporary morphological diversification. The total absence of monogenean parasites in the populations of New Caledonia could result from a founding event and is suggested as a potential factor that could have favoured the O. mossambicus’ success. In conclusion, a low genetic diversity does not likely constraint a strong invasive potential and a rapid phenotypic diversification in tilapias.

Acoustically, teleost swimbladders have been considered resonant underwater bubbles. Contrary results indicating that bladders are tuned less sharply than such a bubble have been explained by damping of surrounding fish tissue. Recent findings in toadfish and weakfish, however, suggest that the bladder is a highly damped structure and that the frequency of the fish sounds is deternlined as a forced response to sonic muscle movement rather than by resonance of the bladder. In this study I examined acoustics and material properties of swimbladders in Tilapia (an auditory generalist) and the channel catfish (an auditory specialist). The swimbladder was struck with a piezoelectric impact hammer. Amplitude and timing characteristics of bladder sound and displacement were compared for strikes of different amplitudes. Most of the first cycle of sound occurs during swimbladder compression, indicating that the bladder rapidly contracts and expands as force increases during the strike. Harder hits are shorter in duration generate a similar displacement duration with an increasing number of shorter cycles and a 12-15 dB increase in sound amplitude. The frequency spectrum is broad, and the dominant frequency is driven by the strike and not the natural frequency of the bladder. The displacement waveform varies between species catfish exhibit a greater structural stiffness and lower amplitude movement and higher sound amplitude for an equivalent hammer strike. Material properties (peak load, stress, strain, Young's modulus), fiber direction (catfish only), and structural stiffiless of bladders exhibit various patterns suggesting that the bladder walls are not uniform structures. Additionally thickness varies regionally. Notably Young's modulus in both species is similar despite large difference in stress and strain. The modulus of catfish bladder increased 1600-fold when dried. Finally the bladder of both species had a high water content averaging about 70%. These data suggest that viscous damping caused by water in the bladder wall is a major factor responsible for acoustic properties of the teleost swimbladder.

Orientador: Eliane Gonçalves de Freitas / Banca: Marisa Fernandes de Castilho / Banca: José Eurico Possebon Cyrino / Resumo: Animais com a mesma habilidade de luta podem lutar por mais tempo e intensamente do que em confrontos assimétricos. Assim, a seleção de peixes pela similaridade de tamanho em manejos da piscicultura pode causar um aumento das interações agressivas e levar à instabilidade social em peixes socialmente organizados. Assim, testou-se a hipótese de que o agrupamento de animais de tamanhos semelhantes aumenta as interações agressivas entre machos de tilápia-do-nilo, linhagem GIFT. Este, por sua vez, aumenta o estresse social e desestabiliza a hierarquia social. Foram comparados dois tratamentos: um grupo homogêneo (HM), formado por cinco machos revertidos com variação de tamanho entre 9,0 e 9,4 cm; e um grupo heterogêneo (HT), formado por cinco animais de tamanhos variando entre 7,5 e 11,5 cm (n=16 para cada tratamento). Os peixes foram mantidos nesses grupos por seis dias, nos quais as interações agonísticas foram registradas a partir do segundo dia de agrupamento (10 min dia-1 - 5 sessões de observação). Níveis de cortisol plasmático e taxa de crescimento específico (TCE) foram utilizados para inferir estresse social. A frequência de interações agonísticas foi maior no HM (média ± S.E: HM = 302,06± 20,13 x 10 min-1; HT = 151,06 ± 13,35 x 10 min-1). Mudanças na posição social ocorreram neste grupo, indicando instabilidade social. Entretanto, os níveis de cortisol (HM = 27,54 ± 3,02 ng mL-1; HT = 24,42 ± 2,41 ng mL-1) e TCE (HM = -0,53 ± 0,04%; HT = -0,64 ± 0,08%) foram similares entre os tratamentos. Dessa forma, conclui-se que o agrupamento de peixes de tamanhos semelhantes aumenta as interações agressivas e desestabiliza a hierarquia social. Assim, apesar de não terem sido encontradas diferenças nos indicadores de estresse, pode-se concluir, com base em comportamento, que o agrupamento de animais de tamanhos semelhante reduz o bem-estar de peixes sociais... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Animals with similar fighting ability can fight intensely and longer than animals in 27 asymmetric contests. Thus, the selection of fish by size similarity in husbandry might increase 28 aggressive interactions, and lead to social instability in socially organized fish. We tested the 29 hypothesis that grouping similar size animals increases aggressive interactions between males of 30 Genetic Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT). This, in turn, enhances social stress and destabilizes 31 social hierarchy. We compared two treatments: a homogeneous group (HM) formed by five 32 males ranging in size from 9.0 to 9.4 cm, and a heterogeneous group (HT) formed by five males 33 sizing from 7.5 to 11.5 cm (n = 16 each treatment). The fish were kept in these groups for six 34 days, in which agonistic interactions were video-recorded daily from the second day of 35 grouping (10 min/ day - five observation sessions). Plasma cortisol levels and specific growth 36 rate (SGR) were used to infer stress level. The frequency of agonistic interactions was higher in 37 the HM (mean ± S.E.: HM = 302.06 ± 20.13 x 50 min-1; HT = 151.06 ± 13.35 x 50 min-1). 38 Changes in social position occurred over time in this group, indicating social instability. 39 However, cortisol levels (HM = 27.54 ± 3.02 ng.mL-1; HT = 24.42 ± 2.41 ng.mL-1) and SGR 40 (HM = -0.53 ± 0.04 %; HT = -0.64 ± 0.08 %) were similar between treatments. Thus, we 41 conclude that the grouping of similar size fish increases aggressive interactions and destabilizes 42 social hierarchy. Although no significant differences were found on indicators of stress we can 43 conclude, based on behavior, that groups of similar sized animals reduces the welfare in social 44 fish, because chances of injuries are higher than in heterogeneous groups / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-02-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:10:11Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 teresa_fb_me_sjrp.pdf: 340541 bytes, checksum: 0fb6e58b4c117f539a096cfa4573d092 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O comportamento reprodutivo dos ciclídeos envolve diferentes sistemas de acasalamento e cuidado parental. No entanto, as espécies neotropicais são pouco conhecidas em relação às africanas. A maior parte dos ciclídeos neotropicais exibe cuidado biparental com predomínio da monogamia (diferentemente dos ciclídeos africanos cujo cuidado intrabucal uniparental prevalece). Laetacara sp. é uma nova espécie de ciclídeo sul-americano encontrada em abundância em riachos bastante degradados. A ocupação desses ambientes pode ser favorecida pelas estratégias reprodutivas da espécie. Assim, neste estudo descrevemos o comportamento reprodutivo de Laetacara sp. para explorarmos sua importância na determinação do sucesso dessa espécie em ambientes degradados. Inicialmente, descrevemos as fases e as unidades do comportamento reprodutivo (Capítulo 1). Em seguida, quantificamos a cooperação entre machos e fêmeas ao longo do ciclo reprodutivo (Capítulo 2). O comportamento reprodutivo de Laetacara sp. é iniciado com a defesa territorial pelo macho e envolve a formação do casal, construção de ninho, acasalamento e cuidado biparental dos ovos e larvas no substrato. O cuidado parental foi dividido em Manutenção (ventilação e limpeza dos ovos e larvas) e Defesa (interações agressivas contra intrusos nas fases estacionárias e livre natante). Na fase pré-acasalamento, os machos investiram mais em defesa territorial, enquanto as fêmeas investiram mais em construção de ninhos. Na fase ovo/larva, as fêmeas permaneceram mais tempo próximas à prole do que os machos, sem diferir na fase seguinte. Porém, os pais permaneceram por mais tempo junto à prole natante, indicando que nessa fase os filhotes são mais vulneráveis. O comportamento reprodutivo de Laetacara sp. parece ser uma das adaptações para a sobrevivência em ambientes aquáticos degradados... / The reproductive behaviour of cichlid fishes attracts many researchers because it is expressed through different types of mating systems and parental care. However, neotropical species are still little studied, in comparison to African species. Most Neotropical cichlids are monogamous and biparental care prevails (contrary to African cichlids where mouth brooding and uniparental care are the rule). Laetacara sp. is a new South American cichlid mainly found in degraded streams. Species occupation of such environments may be facilited by reproductive strategies. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the reproductive behaviour of Laetacara sp. to evaluate its daptative value for living successfully in degraded environments. In a first step, the phases and units of reproductive behaviour were described (Chapter 1). In a second step, cooperation between males and females during reproductive cycle was quantified (Chapter 2). Reproductive behaviour of Laetacara sp. started with territorial defense by males and involved pair bonding, nest building, mating and biparental care of eggs and wrigglers on the substrate. Parental care was divided into Nurturance (fanning and cleaning eggs and wrigglers) and Defense (aggressive contests against intruders in the brood stationary and free-swimming phases). In the pre-spawning stage, males invest more in territory defense while females invest more in nest building. In the egg/larva phase, females remains close to the brood more than males, but time spent near the brood was similar for both parents in the free-swimming phase and higher than in the previous phase, which indicates higher vulnerability of the fry. Reproductive behaviour of Laetacara sp. should be one of several adaptations that enhances the chance of surviving in aquatic degraded environments. This occurs, in part because this species can to build nests in sandy ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Three new species of cichlid fishes of the genus Geophagus, part of the Neotropical subfamily Geophaginae, are described from the Orinoco and Casiquiare drainages in Venezuela. Phylogenetic relationships among 16 genera and 30 species of Geophaginae are investigated using 136 morphological characters combined with DNA sequences coding for the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) and the nuclear Recombination Activating Gene 2 (RAG2). Data from previous studies are integrated with the new dataset by incorporating published DNA sequences from the mitochondrial genes cytochrome b and 16S and the microsatellite flanking regions Tmo-M27 and Tmo-4C4. Total-evidence analysis revealed that Geophaginae is monophyletic and includes eighteen genera grouped into two major clades. In the first clade, the tribe Acarichthyini (genera Acarichthys and Guianacara) is sister-group to a clade in which Gymnogeophagus, 'Geophagus' steindachneri, and Geophagus sensu stricto are sister to 'Geophagus' brasiliensis and Mikrogeophagus; all these are in turn sister-group to Biotodoma, Dicrossus and Crenicara. In the second clade, Satanoperca, Apistogramma (including Apistogrammoides), and Taeniacara are sister to Crenicichla and Biotoecus. Monophyly and significantly short branches at the base of the phylogeny indicate that genera within Geophaginae differentiated rapidly within a relatively short period. High morphological, ecological, and behavioral diversity within the subfamily suggest that geophagine divergence may be the result of adaptive radiation.

Three new species of cichlid fishes of the genus Geophagus, part of the Neotropical subfamily Geophaginae, are described from the Orinoco and Casiquiare drainages in Venezuela. Phylogenetic relationships among 16 genera and 30 species of Geophaginae are investigated using 136 morphological characters combined with DNA sequences coding for the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) and the nuclear Recombination Activating Gene 2 (RAG2). Data from previous studies are integrated with the new dataset by incorporating published DNA sequences from the mitochondrial genes cytochrome b and 16S and the microsatellite flanking regions Tmo-M27 and Tmo-4C4. Total-evidence analysis revealed that Geophaginae is monophyletic and includes eighteen genera grouped into two major clades. In the first clade, the tribe Acarichthyini (genera Acarichthys and Guianacara) is sister-group to a clade in which Gymnogeophagus, 'Geophagus' steindachneri, and Geophagus sensu stricto are sister to 'Geophagus' brasiliensis and Mikrogeophagus; all these are in turn sister-group to Biotodoma, Dicrossus and Crenicara. In the second clade, Satanoperca, Apistogramma (including Apistogrammoides), and Taeniacara are sister to Crenicichla and Biotoecus. Monophyly and significantly short branches at the base of the phylogeny indicate that genera within Geophaginae differentiated rapidly within a relatively short period. High morphological, ecological, and behavioral diversity within the subfamily suggest that geophagine divergence may be the result of adaptive radiation.

Malgré le fait que le statut social soit reconnu comme ayant une forte influence sur l’aptitude, les facteurs affectant le statut social et les changements de ce statut demeurent peu connus. De plus, les études sur la dominance ayant un lien avec l’agressivité portent rarement sur des femelles. Nous étudierons ces aspects en utilisant Neolamprologus pulcher, un poisson à reproduction coopérative du lac Tanganyika. La probabilité d’ascension sociale était manipulée sur le terrain et les changements physiologiques et comportementaux, ainsi que le niveau plasmatique de testostérone, associé avec l’ascension à la dominance de femelles subordonnées étaient caractérisés. Le degré de coopération et la masse étaient supérieurs chez les femelles ascendantes par rapport aux femelles non-ascendantes d’un même groupe social. Après une semaine d’ascension sociale, les femelles ascendantes ne différaient pas comportementalement, mais différaient physiologiquement des femelles dominantes. Les femelles dominantes, ascendantes et subordonnées ne différaient pas quant au niveau de testostérone plasmatique. Comprendre les bénéfices des comportements coopératifs pour les subordonnés a longtemps posé un problème évolutif. Nos résultats impliquent que les comportements coûteux métaboliquement peuvent avoir été sélectionnés en améliorant l’aptitude future via l’héritage du territoire et du statut social. De plus, le degré de coopération pourrait être un signal de qualité détecté par les compétiteurs et les collaborateurs. / Although social rank is known to have a strong influence on fitness, factors affecting rank and changes in rank remain poorly understood. In addition, studies of dominance and its relation to aggression rarely focus on females. We address these issues in this study using Neolamprologus pulcher, a cooperatively breeding fish species from Lake Tanganyika. The probability of social ascension was manipulated in the field and the physiological and behavioural changes as well as plasma testosterone level associated with subordinate female ascension were characterized. Both helping effort (degree of cooperation) and body size were greater in ascending versus paired same social group non-ascending females. After one week of social ascension, ascending females did not differ behaviourally but were physiologically different (higher body condition, smaller, lighter) from dominant females. Dominant, ascending females and subordinate females did not differ in plasma testosterone levels. Understanding the benefits of helping behaviour for subordinates has long been an evolutionary challenge and our results imply that this costly metabolic behaviour may have been selected by enhancing future fitness via territory and rank inheritance. Furthermore, helping effort could be a signal of quality detected by both competitors and collaborators.

Submitted by Cássio da Cruz Nogueira (cassionogueirakk@gmail.com) on 2017-05-15T17:56:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosReproducaoEspecies.PDF: 2283893 bytes, checksum: 9b9254a956cc3efc47a577e5e93e081f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2017-05-22T14:12:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosReproducaoEspecies.PDF: 2283893 bytes, checksum: 9b9254a956cc3efc47a577e5e93e081f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-22T14:12:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosReproducaoEspecies.PDF: 2283893 bytes, checksum: 9b9254a956cc3efc47a577e5e93e081f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-13 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A família Cichlidae é uma das que possui maior importância econômica na Amazônia Brasileira, pois muitas de suas espécies são valorizadas na alimentação e como peixes ornamentais. A família possui o maior cuidado parental dentre os teleósteos e o mais diversificado dentre os vertebrados. Os peixes amazônicos possuem uma grande diversidade de estratégias e táticas reprodutivas, que garantem a sobrevivência do maior número possível de descendentes e representam o produto de longos processos de seleção natural e adaptação às oscilações sazonais das variáveis ambientais. Mas a reprodução desta família ainda é pouco estudada na Amazônia. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de estudar a ecologia reprodutiva de sete espécies da família Cichlidae: Aequidens tetramerus, Astronotus ocelatus, Acarichthys heckelli, Acaronia nassa, Hypsellecara temporalis, Mesonauta insignis e Pterophyllum scalare. O estudo foi realizado com exemplares provenientes da RDS Mamirauá, no ecossistema de várzea, formado por ambientes de águas brancas, e influenciado pelos pulsos de inundação anuais. Trata-se de uma unidade de conservação próxima à cidade de Tefé, no Estado do Amazonas. Foram avaliados a relação peso/comprimento, o fator de condição, a proporção sexual, o tipo e período de desova (sazonalidade), variações da relação gonadosomática, a fecundidade e o tamanho da primeira maturação sexual (L50). Foram utilizados 209 espécimes de A. tetramerus, 168 de A. ocellatus, 170 de A. heckelli, 178 de A. nassa, 109 de H. temporalis, 380 de M. insignis e 264 de P. scalare. Todas as espécies demonstraram um crescimento isométrico, exceto machos de A. ocellatus que demonstraram um crescimento alométrico negativo. As espécies se reproduzem ao longo de todo o ano, com picos de atividade de desova na enchente e no período de seca, atividade que foi corroborada pela variação dos índices RGS e fator de condição (K). A proporção sexual total das espécies foi equilibrada, 1:1. Exceção para a espécie A. nassa, que mostrou uma predominância de machos, de 0,5:1. Todas as espécies apresentaram uma fecundidade baixa, entre 700 e 1500 oócitos maduros. As espécies A. tetramerus, A. ocellatus e H. temporalis apresentaram uma desova parcelada e as espécies A. nassa, P. scalare e M. insignis apresentaram uma desova total. Os comprimentos assintótico (L∞) e médio de primeira maturação sexual (L50) demonstraram que as espécies A. nassa, H. temporalis, A. heckelii e A. Tetramerus apresentam suas maturações sexuais precoces e as espécies P. scalare, A. Ocellatus e M. insignis tiveram suas maturações sexuais tardias. Os ciclídeos aqui estudados apresentaram táticas das principais estratégias reprodutivas, K, r, e sazonal. Para o manejo dessas espécies deve ser considerado que são peixes de baixa produtividade, e que deverá ser respeitado seu pico reprodutivo e o tamanho mínimo de captura, baseado em seu L50. A abordagem de classificação ecológica das estratégias de vida, para as espécies depende de processos evolutivos e adaptativos. Neste estudo as predições de Winemiller (1989), poderá ser reavaliada em casos específicos como os organismos da família Cichlidae, em ambientes de várzea amazônica. / The Cichlidae family plays an important economic role in the Brazilian Amazon, since many of its species are valued as food and also as ornamental fish. The family presents one of the largest parental behaviors among the teleosts, and one of the more diverse among all vertebrates. Amazon fish show a great diversity of reproductive strategies and tactics and ensure the survival of the greatest possible number of offspring, and represent the result of long processes of natural selection and adaptation to seasonal fluctuations of environmental variables. However, many reproductive aspects of this family are still unknown or understudied in the Amazon. This work aimed to study the reproductive ecology of seven species of the family Cichlidae: Aequidens tetramerus, Astronotus ocelatus, Acarichthys heckelli, Acaronia nassa, Hypsellecara temporalis, Mesonauta insignis and Pterophyllum scalare. The study was conducted with specimens collected at Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (MSDR), in the várzea ecosystem, made up of white water flooded environments, and influenced by annual flood pulses. The reserve is a protected area near Tefé, at Amazonas State, Brazil. For each species were evaluated the lengthweight relationship, condition factor, sex ratio, type and spawning period (seasonality), variations of the gonadosomatic relationship, fecundity and size at first sexual maturity (L50). For that, were used 209 specimens of A. tetramerus, 168 of A. ocellatus, 170 of A. heckelli, 178 of A. nassa, 109 of H. temporalis, 380 of M. insignis and 264 of P. scalare. All species showed an isometric growth, with exception of males of A. ocellatus which showed a negative allometric growth. The species bred throughout the year, with spawning activity peaks detected during the rising of the water level, and some additional activity during the flooding period. These were corroborated by RGS and condition factor indices. The overall sex ratio of the species was balanced, 1:1. Except for the species A. nassa, that showed a predominance of males of 0.5:1. All species showed a low fecundity, between 700 and 1500 mature oocytes. The species A. tetramerus, A. ocellatus and H. temporalis showed a partial spawning strategy, and A. nassa, P. scalare and M. insignis showed a total spawning strategy. The asymptotic length (L ∞) and the average length at first sexual maturity (L50) for females showed that all species have an early sexual maturation. The cichlids studied here presented two tactics groups of the main reproductive strategies, K and r. For the management of these species, it should be considered that these are low productivity fish species, and their reproductive seasonal peak and minimum size of capture, based on their L50, should be used to limit the catch.