Browsing by Autor "Paul A. Van Damme"

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Breeding behaviour and distribution of the tucunaréCichla aff. monoculus in a clear water river of the Bolivian Amazon
(Wiley, 2006) Huascar Muñoz; Paul A. Van Damme; Fabrice Duponchelle
The breeding behaviour and distribution of tucunaré Cichla aff. monoculus were studied for 2 months during the breeding season in the Paraguá River, Bolivia. Tucunaré were more abundant in the old remnant channels and isolated lakes than in the main river channel. The breeding period was delayed for c . 1 month in the river compared to the old remnant channels and lakes. The batch fecundity ranged between 3712 and 10 355 for females weighing 460 and 1380 g, respectively. Gonad analysis of egg‐guarding or juvenile‐guarding females showed that a female was able to spawn more than once during the breeding season. Nests were significantly larger and deeper in the isolated lakes than in the old remnant channels and in the main river. The maximum depth of the nests also differed significantly, being deeper in the isolated lakes than in the river channel and in the old remnant channels.
Conservation of migratory fishes in the Amazon basin
(Wiley, 2021) Fabrice Duponchelle; Victoria Isaac; Carolina Rodrigues da Costa Dória; Paul A. Van Damme; Guido A. Herrera‐R; Elizabeth P. Anderson; Rivetla Edipo Araújo Cruz; Marília Hauser; Theodore W. Hermann; Edwin Agudelo Córdoba
Abstract The Amazon basin hosts the Earth's highest diversity of freshwater fish. Fish species have adapted to the basin's size and seasonal dynamics by displaying a broad range of migratory behaviour, but they are under increasing threats; however, no study to date has assessed threats and conservation of Amazonian migratory fishes. Here, the available knowledge on the diversity of migratory behaviour in Amazonian fishes is synthesized, including the geographical scales at which they occur, their drivers and timing, and life stage at which they are performed. Migratory fishes are integral components of Amazonian society. They contribute about 93% (range 77–99%) of the fisheries landings in the basin, amounting to ~US$436 million annually. These valuable fish populations are mainly threatened by growing trends of overexploitation, deforestation, climate change, and hydroelectric dam development. Most Amazonian migratory fish have key ecological roles as apex predators, ecological engineers, or seed‐dispersal species. Reducing their population sizes could induce cascading effects with implications for ecosystem stability and associated services. Conserving Amazonian migratory fishes requires a broad portfolio of research, management, and conservation actions, within an ecosystem‐based management framework at the basin scale. This would require trans‐frontier coordination and recognition of the crucial importance of freshwater ecosystems and their connectivity. Existing areas where fishing is allowed could be coupled with a chain of freshwater protected areas. Management of commercial and subsistence species also needs fisheries activities to be monitored in the Amazonian cities and in the floodplain communities to allow assessments of the status of target species, and the identification of management units or stocks. Ensuring that existing and future fisheries management rules are effective implies the voluntary participation of fishers, which can be achieved by increasing the effectiveness and coverage of adaptive community‐based management schemes.
Corredores biológicos para la fauna de mamíferos en la provincia Carrasco (Departamento de Cochabamba, Bolivia): un estudio de caso
(2000) Corinne Meyer; Paul A. Van Damme; Wanderley Ferreira
BIOLOGICAL CORRIDORS FOR THE MAMMAL FAUNA IN THE PROVINCE OF CARRASCO (STATE OF COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA): A CASE-STUDY Desde los anos 80, muchas familias andinas emigraron a la region Amazonica, buscando nuevas tierras sobre todo, mejores condiciones de vida. De la expansion de las areas agropecuarias y la presion demografica resulto una fragmentacion del espacio vital para los mamiferos. Rios y sus franjas de bosque pueden servir de corredores biologicos para los movimientos de la fauna entre las manchas de bosque que resultan de la fragmentacion. Este estudio enfoca en el rio Hondo, situado en la provincia Carrasco, donde se conserva una vegetacion (bosque poco intervenido y bosque secundario) casi a todo lo largo del rio. En este corredor se ha observado las huellas de diez especies de medianos y grandes mamiferos. Sin embargo, este corredor es tambien muy vulnerable. Un analisis multitemporal demostro que entre 1990-1998, habian cambios en la cobertura y el uso de la tierra en la zona y una gran reduccion de areas boscosas (aproximadamente menos un 20%). Se ha identificado un impacto negativo del aumento de campos de cultivo y de infraestructura (como la carretera Cochabamba-Santa Cruz) lo cual reduce de manera considerable el numero de indicios de animales (huellas y excrementos) presentes. Se incluyo una discusion sobre la importancia de corredores biologicos en la region. Palabras clave: corredor biologico, fragmentacion, colonizacion, mamiferos, indicios, Bolivia. ABSTRACT Since 1980's, a high number of Andean families in Bolivia have migrated to the Amazon basin in search for cultivable soil and better living conditions. One of the consequences of the expansion of the agricultural frontier and the demographic pressure has been the increased fragmentation of mammal habitats. However rivers and their riparian vegetation can function as biological corridors for fauna between forests that have been fragmented. This study is focused on the Hondo River in the Carrasco Province, which is characterized by an almost intact riparian vegetation (primary and secondary forest). In this corridor footprints of ten species of mid and large sized mammals were observed. However the corridor is very vulnerable to changes. A multi-temporal analysis showed that between 1990-1998 the vegetation cover and soil use has changed drastically resulting in a 20% reduction of the forest. A negative impact of the increase of agricultural areas and the improved infrastructure (such as the highway Cochabamba-Santa Cruz) on the number of animal signs (foot prints and excrements) was recorded. A discussion on the importance of river corridors in the area is also presented. Key words: Biological corridor habitat fragmentation, colonization mammals, animal signs, Bolivia.
Density and Abundance Estimation of Amazonian River Dolphins: Understanding Population Size Variability
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2021) Mariana Paschoalini; Fernando Trujillo; Miriam Marmontel; Federico Mosquera-Guerra; Renan Lopes Paitach; Heloíse Pavanato; Gabriel Melo‐Santos; Paul A. Van Damme; André Coelho; Mariana Escobar Wilson White
The dolphins Inia geoffrensis—boto and Sotalia fluviatilis—tucuxi are threatened cetaceans inhabiting river ecosystems in South America; population numbers are still lacking for many areas. This paper provides density and abundance estimations of boto and tucuxi in 15 rivers sampled during the past nine years as part of a multinational research alliance. Visual boat-survey data collection protocols and analyses have been developed since 2012 (based on Distance Sampling methods) and recently reviewed (2019) to improve robustness and comparability. Differences across the sampled rivers and the analyzed river basins (Amazon and Orinoco) pointed to a density/population size gradient with lower densities and abundances observed in the Orinoco basin (0.9–1.5 ind./km²), passing through the eastern Amazon basin (2–5 ind./km²), and the largest numbers found at the central Brazilian Amazon (lower Purus River—2012 (14.5 boto/km², N = 7672; 17.1 tucuxi/km², N = 9238)). However, in other parts of the central Amazon, the density of dolphins was smaller than expected for high productive whitewater rivers (1–1.7 ind./km² in the Japurá and Solimões rivers). We attributed these differences to specific features of the basin (e.g., hydro-geomorphology) as well as to the cumulative effects of anthropogenic activities.
Deriva de macroinvertebrados en el río Caine (Cochabamba, Bolivia)
(1999) Paola B. Reyna; Paul A. Van Damme; Elvis Villarroel; Miguel Garmendia-Zapata
Differential population history in the migratory catfishes Brachyplatystoma flavicans and Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum(Pimelodidae) from the Bolivian Amazon assessed with nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers
(Wiley, 2004) Jorge S. Coronel; Gregory E. Maes; S. C. Claus; Paul A. Van Damme; F.A.M. Volckaert
The catfishes Brachyplatystoma flavicans ( n = 49) and Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum ( n = 69) showed comparable low allozyme diversities ( H e = 0·012 and 0·009–0·028, respectively), but contrasting PCR‐RFLP restriction site mitochondrial DNA diversities (three haplotypes: π = 0·034–0·092 and five haplotypes: π = 0·001–0·023, respectively) in the Rio Ichilo and Beni (Bolivia). Genetic homogeneity between samples was high for B. flavicans and lower for P. fasciatum . Based on mitochondrial diversity, both species probably experienced a historic population reduction but at different time scales.
Distribución y estado de las poblaciones de londra (Pteronura brasiliensis) en Bolivia
(2002) Paul A. Van Damme; S Ten; R Wallace; L Painter; A Taber; R Gonzáles Jiménes; A Fraser; D Rumiz
Distribution patterns, population status and conservation of Melanosuchus niger and Caiman yacare (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae) in oxbow lakes of the Ichilo river floodplain, Bolivia
(Vicerractoría Investigación, 2007) Ximena Aguilera; Jorge S. Coronel; Thierry Oberdorff; Paul A. Van Damme
Caiman yacare (lagarto) and Melanosuchus niger (black caiman), sympatric species in the Bolivian Amazon basin, have been severely overexploited in the past. We present the results of a standardized survey of C. yacare and M. niger populations in order to evaluate their actual population status in twelve oxbow lakes of the Ichilo River floodplain. Additionally we explored the effect of environmental and anthropogenic variables on caiman distribution patterns. The average density of C yacare and M niger in the shoreline of floodplain lakes was of 6 and 1 ind/km, respectively. For both species, the population was composed mainly of juvenile individuals. We used regression tree analysis (RTA) to assess patterns of M. niger and C. yacare densities with eight environmental and two anthropogenic variables. The RTA analysis showed that the variation in the densities of both C. yacare (52.4%) and M. niger (36.8 %) was related to water conductivity. For C yacare, higher densities occurred at higher values of water conductivity, while M. niger densities followed an opposite trend, resulting in relatively well spatially segregated populations of the two species. After excluding conductivity, Lake-River Distance (LRD) was shown to be the main splitting variable in the RTA analysis. The observed distribution patterns may be the result of the historical post-hunting situation, in combination with differences in habitat selection by the two species, and competitive exclusion processes between the two species. M. niger, a species reported to be recovering slowly from previous low population levels, appears relatively well protected in the Ichilo river floodplain.
Ectoparasites (Crustacea: Branchiura) of Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (surubí) and P. tigrinum (chuncuina) in Bolivian whitewater floodplains
(2004) Maribel Mamani; Charles Hamel; Paul A. Van Damme
Elucidating a history of invasion: population genetics of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, Actinopterygii, Arapaimidae) in the Madeira River
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2022) Dayana Tamiris Brito dos Santos Catâneo; Aline Mourão Ximenes; Carmen Rosa GARCÍA-DÁVILA; Paul A. Van Damme; Rubiani de Cássia Pagotto; Jean Ricardo Simões Vitule; Tomas Hrbek; Izeni Pires Farias; Carolina Rodrigues da Costa Dória
Estrategias para la recuperación y la conservación de la laguna Alalay (Cochabamba, Bolivia)
(1998) Paul A. Van Damme; Ana Romero; Edgar Goïtia
Identifying the current and future status of freshwater connectivity corridors in the Amazon Basin
(Society for Conservation Biology, 2022) Bernardo Caldas; Michele Thieme; Natalie Shahbol; Maria Eduarda Moraes Sarmento Coelho; Guenther Grill; Paul A. Van Damme; Ricardo Aranha; Carlos Cañas; Camila Kurzmann Fagundes; Nicole Franco‐León
Abstract The Amazon Basin features a vast network of healthy, free‐flowing rivers, which provides habitat for the most biodiverse freshwater fauna of any basin globally. However, existing and future infrastructure developments, including dams, threaten its integrity by diminishing river connectivity, altering flows, or changing sediment regimes, which can impact freshwater species. In this study, we assess critical rivers that need to be maintained as freshwater connectivity corridors (FCCs) for selective freshwater species—long‐distance migratory fishes and turtles (both with migrations >500 km) and river dolphins. We define FCCs as river stretches of uninterrupted river connectivity that provide important riverine and floodplain habitat for long‐distance migratory and other species and that maintain associated ecosystem functions. We assessed more than 340,000 km of river, beginning with an assessment of the connectivity status of all rivers and then combining river status with models of occurrence of key species to map where FCCs occur and how they could be affected under a scenario of proposed dams. We identified that in 2019, 16 of 26 very long (>1000 km) rivers are free‐flowing but only 9 would remain free‐flowing if all proposed dams are built. Among long and very long rivers (>500 km), 93 are considered FCCs. Under the future scenario, one‐fifth (18) of these long and very long FCCs—those that are of critical importance for long‐distance migrants and dolphins—would lose their FCC status, including the Amazon, the Negro, Marañón, Napo, Ucayali, Preto do Igapó Açu, Beni, and Uraricoera rivers. To avoid impacts of poorly sited infrastructure, we advocate for energy and water resources planning at the basin scale that evaluates alternative development options and limits development that will impact on FCCs. The results also highlight where corridors could be designated as protected from future fragmentation.
Macroinvertebrate community response to acid mine drainage in rivers of the High Andes (Bolivia)
(Elsevier BV, 2008) Paul A. Van Damme; Caroli Hamel; Alfredo Ayala; Lieven Bervoets
Madeira
(Elsevier BV, 2024) Carolina Rodrigues da Costa Dória; Jorge Molina‐Carpio; Gislene Torrente‐Vilara; Aliné Andriolo; Maria Madalena de Aguiar Cavalcante; Carmen Gracía-Dávila; Hernán Ortega; Paul A. Van Damme
Management of Laguna Alalay: a case study of lake restoration in Andean valleys in Bolivia
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2007) Rosmery Ayala; Francisca Acosta; Wolf M. Mooij; Danny Rejas; Paul A. Van Damme
Nutrient Content of the Invasive Arapaima gigas (Osteoglossiformes) in Bolivia
(2024) Fernando M. Carvajal‐Vallejos; Joachim Carolsfeld; Paul A. Van Damme; Selva V. Montellano
The Paiche or Paichi (tentatively identified as Arapaima gigas) is an introduced species and one of the most important fisheries resources in Bolivia. Its meat has characteristics that have facilitated its commercialization in the main cities of the country. The objective of this work was to describe the nutritional quality of its meat sold in the city of Riberalta (Beni), the main supplier of Paiche meat to inland markets. Tissue samples were collected from the dorsal, abdominal and caudal areas (n=3; 800 g) from three medium-sized specimens (81.6 cm average total length, aproximately 8 kg). Results showed that Paiche meat is rich in proteins (20%), but low in total fats and carbohydrates (0.81 and 0.67%, respectively). The fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins were low, with values less than 0.027 mg 100 g-1; except vitamin E (average 1.198 mg 100 g-1). Seven fatty acids were found in the abdominal portion, five in the dorsal portion, and none in the caudal portion. Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) was found only in the abdomen. Its regular consumption in the diet is recommended. Studies are needed to see how nutritional value is affected by food preparation for consumption and to assess mercury content.
Observaciones sobre la morfometría del lagarto (Caiman yacare) y del caiman negro (Melanosuchus niger) en el Tipnis, Bolivia
(2005) Fernando Cisneros; Paul A. Van Damme
“Paiche reigns!” species introduction and indigenous fisheries in the Bolivian Amazon
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2015) Alison Macnaughton; Fernando M. Carvajal‐Vallejos; Adalid Argote; Tiffanie K. Rainville; Paul A. Van Damme; Joachim Carolsfeld
Species introduction, combined with changing access rules, increasing demand, and new road and dam infrastructure, are contributing to remarkable changes in Bolivian Amazon fisheries. This paper examines community responses to the appearance of a commercially valuable introduced fish species, Arapaima cf. gigas (“paiche”) in the Bolivian Amazon. Until the end of the 20th century, fisheries in this region were relatively low intensity, focused in rivers on a small number of native large-sized species by an urban-based commercial fishing fleet, and in floodplain lakes on a high diversity of native medium-sized species for subsistence by rural indigenous communities. In the seventies, Arapaima cf. gigas was introduced from Peru and has since invaded a significant portion of the Madre de Dios and Beni basins in northern Bolivia. This species now represents up to 80 % of commercial catches for the region. Occupying primarily floodplain lakes, many of which are located within indigenous territories, it has created economic opportunities and stimulated conflicts. The evolution of fisheries in one indigenous Tacana community is described, and the perspectives of local fishers are explored. Results suggest that while the new resource has strengthened incipient community-level organization, the current capture strategies and management mechanisms may not be conducive to sustainability or equitable distribution of returns. Commercial fisheries targeting a set of native species have been replaced by a single-species fishery in this community, raising questions about how the changes both in the resource-base and associated livelihood strategies are impacting system resilience. Ecosystem impacts of the introduction remain unclear. Paiche is viewed both as a potential threat and an opportunity by indigenous fishers. The management of this introduced species for a maximum social benefit and minimal environmental damage are topical concerns for communities and government actors and should be treated carefully considering local and broader, regional-scale implications.
Parámetros de reproducción de 4 especies de peces comerciales (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, P. tigrinum, Colossoma macropomum y Piaractus brachypomum) en la cuenca del Río Ichilo (Bolivia)
(1998) Héctor Cordero Muñoz; Paul A. Van Damme
REPRODUCTION PARAMETERS OF FOUR COMMERClAl FISH SPECIES (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, P. tigrinum, Colossoma macropomum, and Piaractus brachypomum) IN THE WATERSHED OF THE ICHllO RIVER (BOLIVIA) Reproduction parameters of two commercial characoid species (Colossoma macropomum and Piaractus brachypomum) and two pimelodid species (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum and P. tigrinum) were studied during 1996 and 1997. For each adult, the length, weight, gonado-somatic index, and abdominal fat-index were determined. All fish species studied spawned during high water, the characoids approximately in January and the pimelodids a month later, approximately in February. For both males and females of al! species, there was a negative correlation between the gonado-somatic index and the abdominal fat-index. These results suggest that abdominal fat is used during spawning migration at the expense of sex organ maturation. An hypothesis on the possible spawning areas of pimelodids is also presented. Key words: Reproduction parameters. Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum. P. tigrinum. Colossoma macropomuro, Piaractus brachypomum. Rio Ichilo, Bolivia. RESUMEN Los parametros de reproduccion de dos caracidos comerciales (Colossoma macropomum y Piaractus brachypomum) y dos pimelodidos comerciales (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum y P. tigrinum) han sido medidos durante 1996/97. De cada individuo, la longitud, el peso, el indice gonado-somatico y el indice de grasa abdominal han sido registrados. Se observo que todas las especies desovan durante, aguas altas, los caracidos aproximadamente en enero y los pimelodidos un poco despues, aproximadamente en febrero. Para los machos y hembras de las cuatro especies se registro una correlacion negativa entre el indice gonado-somatico y el fndice de grasa abdominal, lo cual sugiere que la grasa abdominales utilizada en el periodo de las migraciones reproductivas y durante la maduracion de organos sexuales. Se presenta una hipotesis sobre las zonas de desove de los pimelodidos. Palabras clave: Parametros de reproduccion. Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, P. tigrinum. Colossoma macropomum, Piaractus brachypomum. Rlo Ichilo, Bolivia.
Trace element accumulation in different edible fish species from the Bolivian Amazon and the risk for human consumption
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Inti E. Rodriguez-Levy; Paul A. Van Damme; Fernando M. Carvajal‐Vallejos; Lieven Bervoets
Artisanal mining and erosion of metalbearing soils can contaminate aquatic ecosystems and affect the health of riparian human populations, through metal bio-accumulation processes and fish consumption. Concentrations of eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Zn) and a metalloid (As) were measured in the muscle tissue of different edible fish species collected from markets of two cities along the Beni River banks, in the Bolivian Amazon. Relationships between the size of fish belonging to different trophic levels (carnivores, omnivores, detritivores and herbivorous) from four different fishing zones were analyzed. The most relevant results corresponded to the detritivore group, whose members exhibited significant positive correlations between the fish size and the concentration of three metals (cadmium, cobalt and nickel). Furthermore, a 3 × 3 scenario-risk analysis was performed to assess local risk for human health. This was done by relating three different scenarios of local fish consumption collected from literature (maximum, average and minimum) and three different levels of trace element concentrations (95th, 50th and 5th percentile) derived from the present study and the Minimal Risk Levels suggested by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Results of these calculations determined the amount of fish muscle per contaminant that could be consumed per day without risking human's health. Finally, Target Hazard Quotients were calculated for each trace element, aiming to indicate the potential exposure to each one and the concentration at which no adverse effects are expected. The obtained results made clear that mercury is the only trace element that represents an important health risk to humans within the studied region, considering most of the combinations in the 3 × 3 analysis. Chronic mercury intoxication could occur when consumption of fish in Riberalta or Rurrenabaque exceeded 83 g/day in females and 110 g/day in males.