POPULATION STRUCTURE AND REPRODUCTION OF ANABLEPS MICROLEPIS IN AN ESTUARY FROM AMAZON

Resumo

Anableps microlepis is a viviparous species widespread throughout coastal regions and estuaries along the northern coast of Brazil. In order to study the population structure, fertility and morphometrics of this fish, we carried out monthly collections in the Ajuruteua Peninsula since A. microlepis is found at high densities at this location. A total of 368 specimens were obtained, with predominance in number, size and weight of females in relation to males for nearly the entire studied period. Males and females reached sex maturity (L50) at 11.1 cm and 11.9 cm, respectively. The number of embryos was proportional to the size of females and all analyses performed based on other measurements were negatively correlated, except for standard length x weight. These results provide ecological information about an abundant but overlooked species that contributes to the energetic dynamics of an important estuary from northern Brazil.