Reproductive strategies of Red-bellied Piranha (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pygocentrus nattereri</Emphasis> Kner, 1858) in the white waters of the Mamirauá flooded forest,central Brazilian Amazon |
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Authors: | Helder Lima Queiroz Marcela B Sobanski Anne E Magurran |
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Institution: | 1.Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development—IDSM-OS/MCT,Tefé,Brazil;2.Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology,University of St. Andrews,St. Andrews,UK |
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Abstract: | Despite being an important member of neotropical fish assemblages, as well as a species with an unenviable reputation, little
is known about the reproductive ecology of Red-bellied Piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri, in the wild. We tracked the reproductive activity of piranhas in the flooded forests of Mamirauá Reserve, Central Brazilian
Amazon, for 2 years, in an investigation that included over 3,000 individual fish. Contrary to expectation piranhas had not
one, but rather two annual reproductive seasons, tuned to water level fluctuation and the flooding pulse. Females were found
to have up to 30,000 oocytes, little more than one third of which were mature and available for spawning in a single batch.
Sexual maturation (of both males and females) occurred at around 160 mm. At this point sexually active individuals (of both
sexes) became dark and lost most of their red coloration. Ontogenetic changes in habitat selection were strongly associated
with the spawning behavior of mature adults. We also found that flooded marginal vegetation and marginal grasses inside lakes
were the preferred spawning areas. In contrast, non-reproductive individuals were found in open water and under floating meadows. |
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