Population structure of Macrobrachium amazonicum in two floodplain lakes of Amazonia

Abstract

The freshwater prawn M. amazonicum is widely consumed by the traditional communities of the Amazon basin. This species is captured by traps throughout the year and particularly during the Amazon dry season, when animals are concentrated in floodplain lakes. The aim of this paper was to know the populational biology of M. amazonicum in the Macurany and Catispera lakes, both located in the city of Parintins, Amazonas, Brazil. Samples were collected monthly from September 2009 to April 2010, using regional fishing gear. Males, females and total fertility were significantly higher in Catispera lake. The largest ovigerous female was recorded for the Catispera lake (56.2 mm) and low to the Macurany lake (18.3 mm). Sexually undifferentiated individuals were captured throughout the collection period in both lakes. It was observed a higher proportion of females than males (1:2.6) in Macurany lake. The reproductive peak was in the full-flood period (December to April). It may be related to the greatest flow of river and overflowing the banks of lakes, which contribute to larvae dispersion.