[Basic biological parameters for Pseudocurimata lineopunctata (Characiformes, Curimatidae) conservation in the Anchicayá River of the Cauca Valley, Colombia].

Pseudocurimata lineopunctata represents an important nutritional source for local human communities in Colombia and Ecuador. Although the yearly catch of this fish is low (590 kg/year), there are no restrictions on minimum size, and this species is categorized as vulnerable with moderate extinction risk by the Regional Autonomous Corporation of the Cauca Valley (Colombia). To support conservation programs, biological data of the target species are required. Therefore, the aims of this study were to describe the sex ratio, distribution, size to weight ratio, macroscopic stages of reproductive maturity, fecundity, and size at first sexual maturity for P. lineopunctata. For this, fish samples were captured with nets over nine months (February-October) in 2007. The total length (Lt) of the captured fish ranged between 10.7 and 16.5 cm, with total weight (Pt) between 25.0 and 67.5 g. Females represented 52.6 % of the sample group while males represented 47.4 %, and differences in sex ratio were observed in relation to fish size. For all sampled months, the fish captured showed an advanced maturity state. Based on analyses of the gonadosomatic index (IGS), gonadic index (IG), and Fulton’s condition factor (K), and two spawning peaks were determined, one in June-July, and the other in September-October. The size at first sexual maturity was 9.2 cm for females and 10.1 cm for males. Absolute fecundity was estimated as 3 598 oocytes/g♀. It is necessary to carry out additional investigations on the reproduction of this species, to support future repopulation programs.