Genus Pseudoplatystoma
Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum - Michael Goulding
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Species
- Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
- Pseudoplatystoma punctifer
- Pseudoplatystoma sp.
- Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum
Common names
- Bolivia: (Common names not yet available)
- Brazil: Pintado, Caparari, Colite, Coruto, Pirambucu, Surubim, Surubim-tigre
- Colombia: Bagre-tigre, Pintado, Rayado, Pintadillo, Pintadillo-tigre, Pintadillo-rayado
- Ecuador: Bagre-rayado
- Peru: Tigre-zúnguaro, Doncella, Zúnguro
Summary
Group of medium-sized migratory catfishes (40-100 cm) belonging to the genus Hypophthalmus, with potential production estimated at 12,600 tonnes concentrated mainly in the Tocantins region and the Amazon Estuary. They are planktivorous fishes whose population dynamics are closely linked to phytoplankton productivity in floodplain areas and bay lakes. They represent an international export commercial resource categorized as second class, highly vulnerable to fluvial barriers such as dams, but with capacity for environmental recovery.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Teleostei
- Order: Pimelodidae
- Family: Pseudoplatystoma
- Genus: Anodus
- Taxon category: Genus
Distribution
Potential maparate production is estimated at 12,600 tonnes. Fisheries of this resource are strongly concentrated in four main regions that account for 92% of the total: Tocantins (39%), the Estuary (20%), the Lower Amazon (18%) and the Central Amazon (16%).
Threat status
(Insufficient data)
Reproduction
The maparate spawning period coincides strictly with the beginning of the rising-water season in the rivers. These biological species are characterized by a migratory pattern covering medium distances from 100 to 1,000 kilometres.
Feeding
It is a fish of planktivorous trophic level that feeds directly in open waters. Population production and abundance are intimately related to the volume and availability of phytoplankton present in the basin.
Habitat
It preferably inhabits open waters of the large flooded-soil lakes, as well as the bay lakes at the mouth of the lower reaches of the lower Tocantins River and the lower Xingu River.
Uses, management and conservation
It is a popular food highly valued locally because of its high fat content. Its marketing focuses on the international export market (outside South America), where it is classified as second-class market status. In terms of environmental management, populations suffered a drastic reduction downstream after the closure of the Tucuruí dam, although they show a recovery trend in recent years.
References
(Not available)