*Corresponding author: ymendezm@uteq.edu.ec

Yuniel Méndez-Martínez

Estefanía Gabriela Pallo-Molina

Angel Oliverio Fernández-Escobar

Diana Lucia Vasco-Mora

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234011

ISSN 2477-9407

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47280/RevFacAgron(LUZ).v40.n2.01

Animal Production

Associate editor: Dra. Rosa Razz

University of Zulia, Faculty of Agronomy

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Keywords:

Gonadal index

Glucose

Body weight

Proteins

Triglycerides

Comparative study of biological and metabolic indicators in males and females Pseudocurimata

boulengeri of lotic ecosystems

Estudio comparativo de indicadores biológicos y metabólicos en machos y hembras de Pseudocurimata

boulengeri de ecosistemas lóticos

Estudo comparativo de indicadores biológicos e metabólicos em machos e fêmeas de Pseudocurimata

boulengeri de ecossistemas lóticos.

Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias y Biológicas, Universidad

Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo, Los Ríos,

Ecuador.

Facultad de Ciencias de la Industria y Producción,

Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo,

Los Ríos, Ecuador.

Received:

07-11-2022

Accepted: 01-03-2023

Published: 17-03-2023

Abstract

With the objective of evaluating dierent biological and metabolic

indicators in males and females Pseudocurimata boulengeri in three

ecosystems of Los Ríos, Ecuador, specimens were captured in the areas of

Ventana, Quevedo and Buena Fe (60 per area, 180 total), and proceeded

to perform the sexing. The following were determined: size, weight,

thickness of the head, trunk and tail, as well as the size-weight relationship.

Stomasomatic, gonadal, hepatosomatic, vicerosomatic indices and condition

factor. Glucose, total protein, cholesterol and triglyceride were also evaluated.

A 3×2 factorial arrangement was used. Regression analysis to establish the

functional relationship between length and weight. For the morphometric

indicators, dierences between interactions were shown, although higher

values were observed in females regardless of the locality, with a weight

of 185 g, a length of 23.43 cm and head thickness that exceeded 6 cm. The

biological indices reected dierences between the interactions, thus the

hepatosomatic, gonadal, and vicerosomatic indexes were higher for females

in the locality of Ventanas with 0.97, 12.76, and 20.04, respectively. For the

metabolic indicators, dierences were shown between the interactions with

greater variability for sex. It was shown that for the morphometric indicators,

sex did not prevail. The biological indices were inuenced by sex, with

superiority for females except the stomasomatic. While metabolic indicators

showed variability with respect to areas and sex.

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234011. Abril-Junio. ISSN 2477-9408.2-7 |

Resumen

Con el objetivo de evaluar diferentes indicadores biológicos y

metabólicos en machos y hembras de Pseudocurimata boulengeri

en tres ecosistemas de Los Ríos, Ecuador, se capturaron ejemplares

en las zonas de Ventana, Quevedo y Buena Fe (60 por zona, 180

total), y se procedió a realizar el sexado. Se determinaron: talla, peso,

grosor de la cabeza, tronco y cola, la relación talla-peso; así como los

índices estomasomático, gonádico, hepatosomático, vicerosomático

y el factor de condición. También se evaluó la glucosa, proteínas

totales, colesterol y triglicérido. Se empleó un arreglo factorial

3×2. Para los índicadores moformétricos se mostraron diferencias

entre las interacciones, aunque se apreciaron valores superiores en

las hembras independientemente de la localidad, con peso de 185 g,

talla de 23,43 cm y grosos de la cabeza que superó los 6 cm. Los

índices biológicos reejaron diferencias entre las interacciones, así

los índices hepatosomático, gonádico y vicerosomático fue superior

para las hembras en la localidad de Ventanas con 0,97; 12,76 y 20,04,

respectivamente. Para los indicadores metabólicos se mostraron

diferencias entre las interacciones con una mayor variabilidad para

el sexo. Se demostró que para los indicadores morfométricos no

prevaleció el sexo. Los índices biológicos se vieron inuenciados por

el sexo, con superioridad para las hembras excepto el estomasomático.

Mientras que en indicadores metabólicos mostraron variabilidad con

respecto a las zonas y al sexo.

Palabras clave: índice gonádico, glucosa, peso vivo, proteínas,

triglicéridos.

Resumo

A m de avaliar diferentes indicadores biológicos e metabólicos em

machos e fêmeas de Pseudocurimata boulengeri em três ecossistemas

de Los Ríos, Equador, espécimes foram capturados nas áreas de

Ventana, Quevedo e Buena Fe (60 por área, 180 no total), e procedeu-

se a realizar a sexagem. Foram estudados: tamanho, peso, espessura

da cabeça, tronco e cauda, bem como a relação tamanho-peso. Índices

estomasomáticos, gonadais, hepatossomáticos, vice-somáticos e

fator de condição. Glicose, proteína total, colesterol e triglicerídeos

também foram avaliados. Utilizou-se o delineamento casualizado com

arranjo fatorial 3×2. Para os indicadores morfométricos, mostraram-

se diferenças entre as interações, embora tenham sido observados

valores mais elevados nas fêmeas independentemente da localidade,

com peso de 185 g, altura de 23,43 cm e espessura da cabeça superior

a 6 cm. Os índices biológicos reetiram diferenças entre os interações,

assim os índices hepatossomático, gonadal e vice-somático foram

maiores para as fêmeas na localidade de Ventanas com 0,97; 12,76 e

20,04, respectivamente. Para os indicadores metabólicos, mostraram-

se diferenças entre os interações com maior variabilidade para o

sexo. Foi demonstrado que para os indicadores morfométricos, o

sexo não prevaleceu. Os biológicos foram inuenciados pelo sexo,

com superioridade para o sexo feminino, exceto os estomasomáticos.

Enquanto a indicadores metabólicos apresentou variabilidade com

relação a áreas e sexo.

Palavras-chave: índice gonadal, glicose, peso vivo, proteínas,

triglicerídeos.

Introduction

Aquaculture emerged as a practice for supplying proteins of

high biological value to low-income rural families, who used the

existing resources in the ecosystem (Ahmadniaye-Motlagh et al.,

2020; Méndez-Martínez et al., 2021). However, regardless of the

importance of native species in many regions, specically those of

Ecuador, many of these are threatened, which causes vulnerability

in ecosystems and associated rural populations (Méndez-Martínez et

al., 2022a).

In recent years, various investigations have been carried out on

many of the native species existing in the ecosystems of Ecuador

(Escanta and Jiménez-Prado, 2019). However, the literature refers

to the need for these to be more specic, with the aim of knowing

more eectively the behavior of these aquaculture species that live

in these ecological niches in the region. This will make it possible

to act more precisely on ecosystems, with the aim of preserving and

conserving them, which would lead to sustainable and human-friendly

development (Súarez and Petrere, 2007). Thus, one of the species that

inhabits these niches is the dica (Pseudocurimata boulengeri), which

is endemic to Ecuador and belongs to the Curimatiadae family. It is

characterize for being a sh that is widely accept by consumers due

to its appetizing avor and supports an important group of shing

families (Chicaiza and Flores, 2016).

On the other hand, the eco systemic value that these species

represent for human health and the environment is in antagonism

with the decrease in natural stocks, caused among other aspects by

overshing (Hilborn et al., 2020), which brings with it the reduction of

biologically sustainable populations. Thus, it is argued that about 13%

of the world population whose livelihood depends on inland capture

sheries is at risk of survival (Méndez-Martínez et al., 2022c). To the

above described must be added the impact caused by environmental

deterioration and the fragility of ecosystems due to the replacement

of native species by those introduced from foreign countries

(FAO, 2020). In addition, it is vital to improve knowledge about

biological and metabolic aspects that allow appropriate management

technologies for these species. Especially the second, since specic

studies on indicators such as triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose

and total proteins in plasma can provide more precise information

on the physiological state of the sh (Erhunmwunse and Ainerua,

2013). This will undoubtedly allow man to act more eectively in

ecosystems, and therefore improve the relationship with them (Defeo

and Vasconcellos, 2020). Therefore, to evaluate dierent biological

and metabolic indicators of the sh Pseudocurimata boulengeriin

three lotic ecosystems in the province of Los Ríos, Ecuador was the

objective of this work.

Materials and methods

Location

The present investigation was carried out in three areas of the

province of Los Ríos, in the waters of rivers that cross the cantons of

Buena Fe and Quevedo, as well as the river that crosses the canton of

Ventanas. The sh were captured in the three sites mentioned, which

have the following weather conditions in table 1.

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Méndez-Martínez et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023 40(2): e2340113-7 |

Table 1. Approximate meteorological conditions of the cantons

of Ventanas, Quevedo and Buena Fe.

Data

Average values

Ventanas Quevedo Buena Fe

Geographical

coordinates

10°31’41 S

79°027´36’’ W

1°01′43 S

79°27´W

0° 53’ S

79°29´ W

RH 86.00 80.84 82.90

Temperature

Average

27.00 °C 26.47 °C 24.40 °C

Height Average 570 masl 74 masl 100 masl

Annual

precipitation

3071.26 mm 2,223.85 mm 2,000 mm

Heliophany 626 h.L

-1

898.66 h.L

-1

638.8 h.L

-1

Ecological zone

Tropical semi-

humid forest

Tropical semi-

humid forest

Tropical semi-

humid forest

The study was carried out in accordance with the Standard

Operating Procedures (SOP) for the use of experimental animals,

established by the protocols and procedures for animal care of

State Technical University of Quevedo.

Experimental procedure

For this research, 3×2 factorial arrangement was used. The

interactions are described depending on the location and sex:

Females/Ventanas (1/V), Males/Ventanas (2/V), Females/Quevedo

(1/Q), Males/Quevedo (2/Q), Females/Buena Fe (1/B), Males /Buena

Fe (2/B). Ten samples of elds were carried out between the months

of November 2019 and April 2020. This stage constitutes the season

of greatest rainfall in the province for animal care of State Technical

University of Quevedo. 60 specimens were captured with shing

nets for each area (180 total), and sexing was carried out taking into

account the morphological characteristics (Nugra et al., 2018).

Water indicators

Control of physical-chemical parameters on the water was carried

out, the temperature was measured with a mercury thermometer (0 to

50 ºC), and the Nitrate (N0

), nitrite (NO

), ammonium (NH

), pH and

hardness with the colorimetric kit (Saltwater Master Test, OH, USA),

respectively (Méndez-Martínez et al., 2021).

Morphometry and biological indices

The variables or morphometric indicators were studied, such as:

size, weight, thickness of the head, thickness of the trunk, thickness

of the tail and size-weight relationship. The weight of the animals

was carried out individually with a digital balance of precision ± 0.01

g (PE 3600 Mettler-Toledo, Columbus, Ohio, USA), the length was

determined with the help of a tape measure (Truper, 3m-Fh, Distrito

Federal, MX), measuring from the tip of the mouth to the end of the

tail. To measure the width of the head, body and tail, a digital vernier

caliper (GT-MA15 Gester, ± 0.001 mm, Xiamen, CN) was used.

The Condition Factor is determined through the following formula

(Moreno et al., 2019):

• Condition Factor = (body weight / total length

) x 100

The animals were dissected according to Holden and Raitt (1975).

The following indexes were calculated:

• Hepatosomatic index = (liver weight / total weight) x 100

• Stomasomatic index = (stomach weight / total weight) x100

• Gonadic index = (gonad weight / total weight) x100

• Vicerosomatic index= (visceral weight / total weight) x100

Metabolic indicators (blood biochemistry)

One mL of blood was extracted by puncture of the caudal artery

at the level of the hemal arch, using 3 mL disposable syringes (Bio-

In, Guayaquil, EC), which were placed in capillary tubes (Isolab,

Laborgeräte GmbH, Eschau, DE) with heparinized inner surface, then

centrifuged (Gemmy, PLC-05, Taipei, TW) at 1200 rpm for 10 min to

obtain blood plasma in order to after performing the biochemical tests

for total proteins, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides (Méndez-

Martínez et al., 2021, 2022b), reagents (Liquicolor, Wiesbaden, DE)

were subsequently applied, respectively, and allowed to incubate for

10 min for total proteins and 25 min for the others at 37

C, respectively

(Trinder, 1969). Readings were made in a spectrophotometer

(SunostIk, SBA-733 Plus, Kunshan Road, CHN) at ABS: 456 nm

for total proteins,510 nm for glucose, 500 nm for cholesterol and

triglycerides, respectively. The analyzes were carried out in triplicate.

Statistical analysis

The Bartletttest was performed to determine the homogeneity of

the variances and the Kolmogorov - Smirnov test to verify the normal

distribution of the data. An analysis of variance was performed

depending on the established design and the means were compared

with the Newman Keuls multiple range test (p<0.05). The data in

percentages were transformed through the square root of the arcsine,

only for statistical processing.

Linear regression models were used to establish the functional

relationship between length and weight. Data processing was

performed with the help of SPSS v22 statistical software. Data results

will be presented as means ± standard error (SE).

Results and discussion

The results of the water indicators in the three lotic ecosystems

showed adequate conditions for the growth and development of the

sh (table 2). Fish can live in a wide range of temperatures, however

the immune system does not work the same in all of them, logically, the

optimal ones are the best. The increase of 1 °C increases metabolism

by 15 %, aecting feed eciency (Volko and Rønnestad, 2020;

Méndez-Martínez et al., 2021). What brings with it alterations in

metabolic indicators.

Furthermore, the oxygen requirement of aquatic beings increases

as temperatures rise. Sudden changes in temperature, whether hotter

or colder, are often detrimental (Súarez and Petrere, 2007). The

suitable temperature is around 25 °C. Although there are also studies

that argue that the best of all is that the water is at 27 °C for raising

sh (Ayazo et al., 2018).

Ethical statement

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234011. Abril-Junio. ISSN 2477-9408.4-7 |

Table 2. Physical-chemical parameters of water in the lotic

ecosystems of Los Ríos province.

Parameters Ventanas Quevedo Buena Fe

pH 7.43 7.40 8.44

Ammonium (mg.L

-1

) 0.17 0.25 0.22

Nitrate (mg.L

-1

) 0.15 0.15 0.12

Nitrite (mg.L

-1

) 0.14 0.20 0.22

Hardness (ppm) 54.00 48.04 45.20

Temperature (°C) 27.60 26.50 27.00

In pH that are in ranges between 7.5 and 8.5 they are ideal for

the growth of sh and other aquatic organisms such as shrimps

since it has good productions, very acid pH below 6 are detrimental

for the growth and development of sh. When the pH of the pond

is less than 5, liming is recommended to regulate it (Súarez and

Petrere, 2007). Which agrees whit the results of this work. Some

similar occurred for nitrites and nitrates, these are values considered

low and adequate for sh farming (Ayazo et al., 2018).

The comparison between the proportions for sex (table 3)

reected in the three lotic ecosystems of the province of Los Ríos

that the highest percentage corresponds to females. Showing

Quevedo the largest number of females from the numerical point of

view, since they were not compared between them.

Table 3. Sex ratio in Pseudocurimata boulengeri of lotic

ecosystems.

Lotic sector % Females % Males SE± p

Ventanas 82.41 17.59 2,34 0.001

Quevedo 87.84 12.16 3,08 0.002

Buena Fe 81.45 18.55 2,89 0.001

A study in Ecuador reported percentages of 67.2 for females

and 32.8 for males when evaluating a period between January 2003

and July 2009 (Chicaiza and Flores, 2016). These same authors

reported higher percentages for females when studying the months

of November to April, a factor that can inuence the growth and

development of this species. Result of Guzmán (2016), found

proportions of 54 for females and 44 for males, when evaluating

an area of the province of Los Ríos. This could be related to

environmental conditions depending on the season.

By establishing the functional relationship between length and

weight by sex and independently in each locality, a linear and direct

relationship between these two variables was observed (table 4).

In all cases, the regression coecients (R

) were higher than 0.70

with high signicance. An investigation in Ecuador in the species

Bocachico (Ichthyoelephas humeralis) reported by Méndez-

Martínez et al. (2022b), reected third degree exponential equations

to describe the relationship between weight and size in this species,

which diers from this work. These authors pointed out that the

dierences between the growth of the species may be related to

many factors, such as the size of the samples, size ranges, genetic

aspects between groups of species and environmental conditions.

Also, the weight-length relationship can behave dierently not only

between species, but also within populations of the same species,

since growth depends on environmental, nutritional and genetic

variations. This justies the results of this work.

Table 4. Weight-length relationship of Pseudocurimata

boulengeri in lotic ecosystem

Sex/Lotic Sector

Interactions

Linear regression R²

1/V

y = 0.0421x + 15.638

R² = 0.8375

2/V

y = 0.0407x + 16.719

R² = 0.7405

1/Q

y = 0.036x + 16.784

R² = 0.7784

2/Q

y = 0.0455x + 15.647

R² = 0.8796

1/B

y = 0.0394x + 15.98

R² = 0.8787

2/B

y = 0.0483x + 14.905

R² = 0.7151

Ochoa-Ubilla et al. (2016), when evaluating the functional

relationship between weight and size of species such as:

Ichthyoelephas humeralis, Leporinus ecuadoriensis, Brycon spp.,

Rhamdia cinerascens, Andinoacara rivulatus, Hoplias microlepis,

Pseudocurimata spp., which are considered of economic value in

Ecuador; obtained potential equations for growth. Although they

highlighted that I. humeralis, A. rivulatus and Pseudocurimata

spp showed negative allometric growth, while H. microlepis, L.

ecuadoriensis, Brycon spp. and R. cinerascens showed isometric

growth. This justies and accentuates the above.

The morphometric indicators evaluated reected dierences

(table 5). In the case of weight, the highest values are observed

for females in the Quevedo and Buena Fé cantons (1/Q and 1/B).

Thus, the minors appear for the males in the cantons of Ventanas,

Quevedo and Buena Fé (2/V, 2/Q and 2/B), with no dierences

between them.

For length, something dierent occurred, the lowest value

was reected by2/B with dierences compared to the rest. The

remaining interactions did not show dierences between them with

sizes in all cases exceeding 23 cm. Something similar occurred

for the thickness of the head, where 4.03 cm was shown as the

lowest value in 2/B with dierences compared to the rest, which

were similar among them. The latter reached values above 4.35 cm,

regarding length, a study in Ecuador was reported (Pacheco, 2020),

values similar to those of this research. Note that some specimens

exceeded 26 cm, and also the percentage of females exceeded that

of males as manifested in this work.

For its part, the thickness of the trunk showed signicant

dierences in interactions 2/V, 2/Q and 2/B, compared to 1/V, 1/Q

and 1/B. In the rst three cases mentioned, the values exceed 6 cm.

For the thickness of the tail, no dierences are shown between

interactions 1/V, 1/Q and 1/B, in all three cases the values exceeded

2.50 cm. The remaining interactions did not dier between them,

but with those mentioned above, except 1/V and 2/V. The total

length morphological indicator (table 5) was higher than that found

by Caez et al. (2019), when evaluating the species A. rivulatus in

wild conditions in the Quevedo canton, belonging to the Los Ríos

Province. These authors selected 52 shes, and expressed total

lengths between 14.8-21.8 cm. However, when they analyzed the

size of the head, the values reached 6.6 cm, higher than those shown

in this investigation, which could be given by the species, since the

living conditions were very similar.

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Méndez-Martínez et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023 40(2): e2340115-7 |

Table 5. Morphometry in Pseudocurimata boulengeri in lotic

ecosystems.

Sex/Lotic

Sector

Interactions

Weight

(g)

Size

(cm)

Head

thickness

(cm)

Trunk

thickness

(cm)

Tail

thickness

(cm)

1/V 185.29

23.43

4.43

6.12

2.51

2/V 164.07

23.39

4.36

5.45

2.40

1/Q 191.75

23.69

4.39

6.33

2.60

2/Q 161.46

23.00

4.30

5.38

2.38

1/B 185.98

23.31

4.35

6.16

2.55

2/B 153.98

22.34

4.03

5.39

2.30

SE± 22.3 1.31 0.25 0.38 0,15

p 0.03 0.03 0.02 0,04 0,04

Unequal letters in the same column diers for p<0.05 according to Newman Keuls.

Moreno et al. (2019), when studying the species Eremophilus

mutisii, analyzed morphometric indicators. These authors used 33

animals captured in the Bogotá River, of these 27 females and six

males. They reported weight 222.7 g for males and for females 181.1

g, for body length reected 28.6 and 28.1 cm, respectively. For head

width, they reported values of 3.2 cm (males) and 3.1 cm (females),

with a condition factor of 0.9 and 0.8, respectively. It was possible

to appreciate better behavior from the numerical point of view for

the females, these results coincide with those of this investigation. It

is important to highlight that the literature shows that morphometric

indicators can have variability in responses to environmental

conditions, consistent with the evolutionary hypothesis where

it is stated that divergent habitats drive interspecic phenotypic

diversication, important aspects to predict adaptive responses

of freshwater sh species. These somatic dierences between

populations of a species may be related to habitat conditions such as:

temperature, turbidity, food availability, depth and water ow (Foster

et al., 2015).

Biological indices reected dierences between interactions

(table 6). The hepatosomatic (IHS) reected the lowest values for

interactions 2/V, 2/Q and 2/B, without dierences between them

and with the rest. These last 1/V, 1/Q and 1/B showed the highest

percentages, in the three chaos above 0.90. For the stomasomatic

index (ISS) the opposite occurred, the highest values appear for the

males in the three cantons studied, with dierences with respect to the

rest. In all cases, the percentage found was greater than one.

An investigation carried out in Ecuador in the species Eremophilus

mutisii reected similar results to that of this investigation (Moreno

et al., 2019). These authors reported that females have a higher

gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic index than males. This was

rearmed by Méndez-Martínez et al. (2022c) in the Andinoacara

rivulatus species, obtaining results similar to those provided in this

work. These indicated that the females, after starting the maturation

process of the gonads, must allocate a large amount of energy

and nutrients for reproduction, which allows them to support the

development of said gonads, much higher than that of the males.

Table 6. Biological indices in Pseudocurimata boulengeri of lotic

ecosystems.

Sex/Lotic

Sector

Interactions

IHS ISS IGS IVS FC

1/V 0.97

1.04

12.76

20.04

1.43

2/V 0.74

1.20

7.06

13.01

1.28

1/Q 0.92

1.02

13.58

20.45

1.43

2/Q 0.70

1.19

6.73

12.33

1.32

1/B 0.93

1.06

12.64

20.09

1.46

2/B 0.76

1.13

6.32

13.96

1.38

SE± 0.07 0.09 1,86 2.12 0.10

p 0.05 0.06 0.03 0,07 0.06

Unequal letters in the same column dier for P<0.05 according to Newman Keuls.

Expressed in percentage IHS=hepatosomatic index, ISS=stomasomatic index,

IGS=gonadic index, IVS=vicerosomatic index, FC=condition factor.

The gonadal index had a behavior similar to the IHS. The females

in the three ecotypes studied were the ones that presented the highest

percentages, with values higher than 12, with dierences to the

rest. The latter did not show dierences between them. Something

similar happened for the vicerosomatic index (IVS). Where the

females showed the highest values (above 20 %), without dierences

between them and with the males. The latter presented similar

behavior regardless of the locality where the study was carried out.

The condition factor showed dierent results from the previously

evaluated indicators, interactions 2/V and 2/Q did not dier between

them, but with the rest. The highest percentages are seen above 1.38

for the remaining interactions without dierences between them.

Leyton (2015), reported in Ecuador in ve species of native sh,

reected that the condition factor was greater than one, similar to

what happened in this investigation. This author reported that values

below one denote diculties in the growth of the sh, due to pressures

in the production environment, while valuesabove one reect

favorable environmental conditions for growth. On the other hand,

other research highlights that values greater than one are associated

with spawning times, among other aspects (Méndez-Martínez et al.,

2022b). Thus, temperature is considered another factor that aects the

body condition of sh, the amount of oxygen they absorb through the

gills, plant cover and food availability (Foster et al., 2015).

Moreno et al. (2019), when evaluating the vicerosomatic and

hepatosomatic indices in the species Eremophilus mutisii, reported

lower values than those reported in this work, which is undoubtedly

due to the species, in addition to other factors such as habitat and

weather conditions. It is important to highlight that these authors

found the highest values for these indices in females, a result that

coincides with those exposed in this investigation.

The metabolic indicators showed dierences between the dierent

interactions (table 7). Triglycerides reected the highest values for

1/Q (417.33 mg.dL

-1

) with dierences compared to the rest. Thus, the

lowest content appears for males in the Buena Fe canton. Note that

there were no dierences between interactions1/V and 1/B (table 7).

For its part, cholesterol showed the highest amount in interactions2/V

and 2/Q, those that did not present dierences between them and did

with the rest. The lowest value (142 mg.dL

-1

) appeared for 1/V and

1/Q.

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234011. Abril-Junio. ISSN 2477-9408.6-7 |

Table 7. Metabolic indicators in Pseudocurimata boulengeri of

lotic ecosystems.

Sex/Lotic Sector

Interactions

Trigly-

ceride

(mg.dL

-1

)

Cholesterol

(mg.dL

-1

)

Glucose

(mg.dL

-1

)

protein

(g.dL

-1

)

1/V 362.67

139.00

51.33

3.75

2/V 259.67

161.33

102.05

3.92

1/Q 417.33

142.00

40.00

3.83

2/Q 348.00

161.00

101.67

3.97

1/B 358.67

153.00

58.00

3.65

2/B 226.33

147.67

90.00

3.65

SE± 6.33 3.46 2.00 0.03

p 0.002 0.003 0.001 0.001

Unequal letters in the same column diers for P<0.05 according to Newman Keuls.

Glucose reected dierences between interactions except between

2/V and 2/Q, these constitute the highest values in the study (101.67

and 102.05 mg.dL

-1

, respectively). The smallest amount of glucose

appears in 1/Q (40), this showed dierences with all. It is important

to note that the highest values appear for males regardless of where

they were captured. The proteins reected the highest amount in 2/Q,

with dierences compared to the other interactions. The lowest was

shown for 1/B and 2/B (3.65).

Méndez-Martínez et al. (2022c) reported cholesterol and glucose

values in the species Andinoacara rivulatus higher than those of this

investigation. For example, they reported 185 mg.dL

-1

for glucose

in males and 222 for females. In the case of cholesterol, values of

164 and 161 mg.dL

-1

, respectively, appear. However, when studying

triglycerides, the results are below those discussed in this research.

What is undoubtedly due to the species and sex among other aspects.

Ahmadniaye-Motlagh et al. (2020), reported that such variations may

be due to various factors such as sex, age, maturation of the gonads,

genetic variation, habitat, climate and stress caused during handling.

Thus, the literature refers that hematology and serum biochemistry in

sh can assess the animal response to dierent factors such as stress,

diseases, nutritional imbalances (Gonzales-Flores et al., 2020).

The disorders that occur due to these factors depend on the

species, age, physiological phase, according to Erhunmwunse and

Ainerua (2013) the concentration of cortisol, glucose and cholesterol

can be aected by hypoxic stress, which in turn can be altered by

animal density, consequently, these parameters are essential to know

the state of the animal, it is possible to recognize the failures that are

occurring in the system due to internal factors such as water quality

and management. Although it is necessary to highlight that the water

indicators were within the appropriate parameters for sh. While in

the town of Quevedo where the highest values for total length, head

length, as well as metabolic indicators were observed, these were

somewhat higher from the numerical point of view. This could haves

inuenced these results depending on what was reported by Ayazo et

al. (2018).

Conclusions

In this study, it was shown that for the morphometric indicators, sex

did not prevail, since weight, condition factor, thickness of the trunk

and tail were higher for females, while the rest were higher for males,

regardless of age, location. Biological indicators were inuenced by

sex, with superiority for females except for the stomasomatic. While

metabolic indicators showed variability with respect to areas and sex.

Acknowledgment

Our thanks to Bella Vista artisanal shing association for his

support in catching the organisms. We thank Wendy Hidalgo for

technical support in processing the samples. The research was

supported by the Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ).

Support project for the call FOCYCYT-7th, project PFOC7-48-2020.

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