Feeding habits and reproductive biology of the introduced fish Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) in a spring in central Mexico
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| Auteurs: | , , , , , , |
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| Status: | Versión publicada |
| Publicatiedatum: | 2026 |
| Omschrijving: | Introduction: Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus is a fish native to the Mesoamerican Atlantic slope from Mexico to Nicaragua. This species has been introduced into aquatic ecosystems in central Mexico, impacting biodiversity through competition, predation and habitat modification. Objectives: To evaluate the trophic strategy and reproductive biology of the introduced P. bimaculatus in San Sebastián Spring, West-Central, Mexico. Methods: Fish were captured using minnow traps and seine nets throughout an annual cycle and categorized by size, season, and sex. Samples were collected bimonthly at one sampling site between April 2019 and February 2020. Results: A total of 264 individuals of P. bimaculatus were studied. Their diet comprised 17 items, with remains of terrestrial insects being the most consumed (29 %). The species exhibits a relatively narrow trophic niche as a carnivorous-insectivorous secondary consumer (Trophic level (TROPH) = 3.19 ± 0.42). Significant differences in diet were observed between the sexes. The sex ratio varied seasonally from 1:1 to 2:1 (female:male), and reproduction occurs year-round. The average fecundity was 21 embryos per female. A correlation was identified between fecundity and standard length. Males reach maturity earlier at 34 mm Standard Length (SL), while females mature later at 54 mm SL. Conclusions: P. bimaculatus exhibits a predominantly insectivorous diet and maintains continuous reproductive activity throughout the year. The combination of P. bimaculatus trophic and reproductive traits suggests a capacity to exploit locally available resources and persist under variable environmental conditions, associated with successful establishment in non-native environments. Further research is needed to evaluate potential interactions between P. bimaculatus and native fish species and their implications for freshwater biodiversity in central Mexico. |
| Land: | Portal de Revistas UCR |
| Instelling: | Universidad de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Portal de Revistas UCR |
| Taal: | Inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:portal.revistas.ucr.ac.cr:article/1982 |
| Online toegang: | https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rrbt/article/view/1982 |
| Keyword: | conservation invasion ecology lentic ecosystems non-native poeciliids conservación ecología de la invasión ecosistemas lénticos poecílidos invasores |