Ecophysiological interactions in species of peacock bass Cichla spp. from the Amazon

Abstract

The peacock bass species Cichla spp. are economically important in the Amazon region, being used in food, sport fishing and the ornamental fish market. The aims of present study was investigate the ecophysiological interactions and the relationship to the physical parameters of the water. In order to compare and ecologically correlate the species of peacock bass (Cichla monoculus, Cichla temensis and Cichla vazzoleri) in Lake Balbina, Presidente Figueiredo. The total of 45 animals, 15 individuals of each species, was captured with rod and reel, hand line with natural and artificial bait. The animals blood was removed by means of caudal puncture and the hematological data were determined according to methodology previously described in the literature. The analysis of water physical properties was determined during the collections. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for observations of interactions (60.00%). The PCA of the erythrogram showed an interaction of 86.26%, the thrombogram and leukogram of the peacock bass species showed no interaction. The PCA of the plasma metabolites showed no interaction with a rate of 51.55%, however, there is a tendency in the x axis, where the species C. monoculos presents distinct ecophysiological patterns of C. temensis and C. vazzoleri. In the analysis of the physical properties of the water, was observed interaction 96.59%, where in the X axis the species C. monoculos and C. vazzoleri inhabit exclusive localities. It is possible to infer that C. monoculos presents a different pattern compared to other species.