Silvia López-Casas

Bio: Silvia López-Casas is an academic researcher from The Nature Conservancy. The author has contributed to research in topics: Drainage basin & Endemism. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 17 publications receiving 177 citations. Previous affiliations of Silvia López-Casas include University of Antioquia.

Libro Rojo de Peces Dulceacuícolas de Colombia (2012)

Abstract: En el marco del Plan Operativo Anual (2010 – 2011 - 2012) del Programa de Biologia de la Conservacion y Uso de la Biodiversidad del Instituto de Investigacion de Recursos Biologicos Alexander von Humboldt, se llevo a cabo la actualizacion del Libro Rojo de peces dulceacuicolas de Colombia o proceso de evaluacion del riesgo de extincion y evolucion del estado de conservacion de las especies de peces dulceacuicolas, como tambien es conocido. Esta iniciativa se llevo a cabo con el aval del Ministerio de Ambiente, Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial – MAVT (hoy Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible – MADS) y la participacion del Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, WWF Colombia, y la Universidad de Manizales. En este proceso contribuyeron mas de 50 investigadores, vinculados a unas 30 instituciones academicas, gubernamentales y no gubernamentales.

Freshwater fish faunas, habitats and conservation challenges in the Caribbean river basins of north‐western South America

Abstract: The remarkable fish diversity in the Caribbean rivers of north-western South America evolved under the influences of the dramatic environmental changes of neogene northern South America, including the Quechua Orogeny and Pleistocene climate oscillations. Although this region is not the richest in South America, endemism is very high. Fish assemblage structure is unique to each of the four aquatic systems identified (rivers, streams, floodplain lakes and reservoirs) and community dynamics are highly synchronized with the mono-modal or bi-modal flooding pulse of the rainy seasons. The highly seasonal multispecies fishery is based on migratory species. Freshwater fish conservation is a challenge for Colombian environmental institutions because the Caribbean trans-Andean basins are the focus of the economic development of Colombian society, so management measures must be directed to protect aquatic habitat and their connectivity. These two management strategies are the only way for helping fish species conservation and sustainable fisheries.

Potamodromous migrations in the Magdalena River basin: bimodal reproductive patterns in neotropical rivers.

Abstract: Magdalena River basin potamodromous fishes have two annual reproductive seasons: the subienda in the first half of the year and the mitaca in the second. Both upstream migrations are c. 30-45 days long; after that, with the onset of the rainy season, fishes spawn and remain in the river (resident individuals) or start a downstream movement (the bajanza) to return to the Magdalena floodplain lakes (nursery, shelter and feeding grounds). Due to their particular gonad development the bocachico Prochilodus magdalenae and probably the comelon Leporinus muyscorum are physiologically able to undertake two annual basin migrations. In the presence of dams or hydropower structures, fishes are able to find alternative migration routes. Some species should be re-classified in their migratory behaviour.

Ictiofauna y desarrollo del sector hidroeléctrico en la cuenca del río Magdalena-Cauca, Colombia

Abstract: The Magdalena-Cauca River basin has 213 species of freshwater fish, of which slightly more than 50% are endemic. This basin accounts for 80% of the Colombian population, holds 80% of the national GDP and within its channels are located the 84% of the hydroelectric plants that supply energy to Colombia. The Andean mountains generate altitudinal gradients in aquatic systems as well as its associated biota along the Magdalena-Cauca basin. To analyze the interaction between the altitudinal gradient in the distribution of species of freshwater fish and the location of existing reservoirs, it was performed an analysis of the altitudinal distribution of endemic and migratory fish species and their implications for their conservation based on the current and future state in the formation of reservoirs, using a review of case studies at global and national levels. It was found that the number of species is inversely proportional to altitude, while the endemics are directly proportional and reservoirs below 700 m altitude affect the conservation status of migratory species. A reservoir creates new species richness gradients and modifies the channels that are used by migratory species as spawning areas. We conclude that the development of the hydropower based on the use of water in the Andean rivers and another activities associated with economic development of Colombian society, has led to changes in freshwater aquatic systems in the Magdalena-Cauca basin, influences in the structure of the assemblages of species of fish and in the dynamic of migration and spawning of freshwater fish species important for artisanal fisheries.

Catálogo de los recursos pesqueros continentales de Colombia

Abstract: El documento que presentamos al publico tiene una importancia tanto para la academia y centros de investigacion como para las autoridades, tomadores de decisiones y el publico en general, en aras de la generacion de una conciencia colectiva sobre la problematica asociada a los recursos pesqueros y la necesidad de tomar medidas urgentes para su aprovechamiento sostenible por el bien comun. En este contexto, el “Catalogo de los recursos pesqueros continentales de Colombia” contiene la informacion cientificamente valida que ha llevado a establecer que las especies de peces de consumo y en consecuencia con alto valor comercial en aguas continentales son 173, cifra que probablemente se ampliara con futuros estudios y nuevos datos. De las especies listadas, 31 se encuentran categorizadas con algun grado de amenaza, siendo precisamente la causa el aprovechamiento derivado de su valor comercial, y que de continuar el aprovechamiento descontrolado, a la brevedad estaremos presenciando su extincion.

Neotropical freshwater fishes imperilled by unsustainable policies

Abstract: Neotropical freshwater fishes are the most diverse on the planet (>5,500 species), although nations in Latin America have been negligent regarding their conservation National policies have historically encouraged unsustainable practices, and recent decades have witnessed a sharp increase in harmful activities Our aim with this review was to expose this situation and illustrate how national policies constitute the main threat to freshwater fish biodiversity We explain that the most devastating, pervasive and systemic threats are rooted in official policies, particularly unsustainable activities (eg hydropower, water diversion, mining, aquaculture, agriculture and fishing), poor management/conservation (eg fish stocking and passages) and harmful legislation (eg poor licensing, non-native species) We provide a broad portrait of the Neotropical scenario, where unsustainable policies have caused considerable damage to freshwater ecosystems, and focus on major examples from Brazil, where development projects have caused large-scale losses to fish biodiversity Such modus operandi of human development is incompatible with the persistence of biodiversity, and no simple solution is available to correct or minimize its effects The current situation demands a profound behavioural shift towards better practices and policies, or these multiple high-impact activities will continue eroding freshwater fish biodiversity and impairing essential ecosystem services

Ecological Studies In Tropical Fish Communities

Abstract: ecological studies in tropical fish communities is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our books collection hosts in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Kindly say, the ecological studies in tropical fish communities is universally compatible with any devices to read.

Checklist of the freshwater fishes of Colombia

Abstract: Resumen en: Data derived from the literature supplemented by examination of specimens in collections show that 1435 species of native fishes live in the freshwaters ...

Bumblebee catfishes in Colombia: disentangling macro and microevolution in the genus Pseudopimelodus (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae)

Abstract: El genero Neotropical Pseudopimelodus es el segundo con la mas amplia distribucion de la familia Pseudopimelodidae en Sur America y comprende cuatro especies validas que habitan en diferentes rios trans y cis-andinos. De estas cuatro especies, dos se encuentran registradas en Colombia: P. schultzi distribuida en las cuencas Magdalena-Cauca y Caribe y P. bufonius en el rio Atrato y en las cuencas Amazonas y Orinoco. Diversos procesos paleogeograficos resultantes de la orogenia Andina en Suramerica noroccidental podrian promover la diversificacion genetica del genero Pseudopimelodus en Colombia. Para contrastar esta hipotesis, en este trabajo se realizaron analisis filogeneticos basados en Inferencia Bayesiana usando secuencias parciales del gen nuclear activador de la recombinacion (rag2) y de la subunidad 1 del gen de la Citocromo C Oxidasa (COI). Adicionalmente, se realizo la descripcion de dos nuevas especies de Pseudopimelodus para la cuenca Magdalena-Cauca mediante el analisis de caracteres osteologicos y morfometricos: Pseudopimelodus sp. nov. 1 presente en la parte media y alta del Rio Cauca y parte alta del Rio Magdalena y Pseudopimelodus sp. nov. 2 que habita en la parte baja del Rio Cauca y parte media y baja del Rio Magdalena. Por otro lado, este estudio desarrollo un conjunto de 13 microsatelites utilizando tecnologia de secuenciacion de proxima generacion para evaluar la diversidad y la estructura genetica de estas dos nuevas especies de Pseudopimelodus. Los resultados obtenidos mediante Inferencia Bayesiana mostraron que el genero Pseudopimelodus en Colombia representan al menos cinco linajes evolutivos bien delimitados, cuyos tiempos de divergencia concuerdan con la historia geologica de Suramerica noroccidental. Ademas, los analisis obtenidos de los microsatelites mostraron que ambas especies exhiben altos niveles de flujo genetico entre los sitios muestreados y alta diversidad genetica en comparacion con los niveles promedios de diversidad genetica reportados para Siluriformes Neotropicales. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente trabajo son de suma importancia para el diseno e implementacion de estrategias regionales de manejo de las pesquerias de Pseudopimelodus en Colombia

Superfamilia Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) como elemento bioindicador de perturbación antropogénica en un parque nacional amazónico

Abstract: Diferentes grupos de insectos se consideran importantes elementos bioindicadores de la calidad de los ecosistemas, los coleopteros son hoy en dia uno de los grupos mas reconocidos y utilizados para el monitoreo y establecimiento de areas protegidas. Se evaluo el uso de la superfamilia Scarabaeoidea como bioindicador del grado de perturbacion antropogenica de los bosques humedos amazonicos. En tres niveles de perturbacion (alta, media y baja) se establecieron 12 transectos, utilizando tres trampas de interceptacion, dos trampas de luz, tres trampas de caida, cuatro trampas de botella y captura manual. Se capturaron 593 individuos, 92 especies, 44 generos y 7 familias. Las familias con el mayor numero de individuos y especies fueron Scarabaeidae (n=232, 27 spp.) y Dynastidae (n=161, 26 spp.). Las especies mas abundantes fueron: Ateuchus sp., Cyclocephala verticalis, Ceratocanthus amazonicus y Chaetodus asuai. El numero de especies e individuos fue mayor a medida que el gradiente de perturbacion aumento. Dynastidae presenta el mayor numero de especies exclusivas mientras Scarabaeidae comparte la mayoria. Diez especies fueron registradas en los tres bosques, 26 en dos y 56 en solo uno. De las especies mas abundantes C. asuai muestra una reduccion significativa del numero de individuos con el aumento de la perturbacion, mientras se observa una relacion inversa para C. verticalis. Se discute la utilizacion de la riqueza y la diversidad como indicadores de perturbacion, mientras se ratifica la abundancia de ciertos taxones como una mejor variable a medir.