Resumen

SOTO-GALERA, Eduardo et al. Spatial and trophic segregation between the invasive cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata and the native Herichthys pantostictus in rivers of the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve, Hidalgo, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2024, vol.95, e955168.  Epub 07-Oct-2024. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2024.95.5168.

The effects of the introduction of Amatitlania nigrofasciata on the native fish fauna have been little assessed. The objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of space and food resources as factors that explain the coexistence of this exotic cichlid with the native Herichthys pantostictus in the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve. Based on information from collections and environmental monitoring of 7 locations visited between March 2016 and May 2018, the use, selection and overlapping of habitat were determined, using multivariate indices and methods. Additionally, diet overlap was calculated, with those specimens that coincided in space and time. The results indicate that the use and differential selection of the habitat, depending on the coverage of different substrates and depths, manifested in low spatial overlap between the species, in contrast, the diet overlap is extremely high. Thus, the differential use of space makes possible to explain the coexistence of these cichlids in the reserve. The latter is not necessarily a response to environmental conditions or the use of certain resources but may also be the result of competition interactions related to the defense of nesting or feeding territories.

Palabras llave : Habitat overlap; Diet overlap; Habitat selection; Coexistence; Convict; Chairel mojarra.

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