The Pejelagarto (Atractosteus tropicus) is an alternative to the national fish culture with a native species and the characterization of its populations on the south coast

Abstract

Fish farming in Guatemala is based on the cultivation of tilapia. In the last decade, the growth of this industry has exceeded 15% per year, although we have native aquatic species that must be evaluated. In order to diversify the national fish culture, the aquaculture potential of the Pejelagarto was determined. The aquaculture potential of the species evaluated the reproduction under controlled conditions in our country, the use of balanced feed during larviculture and its semi-intensive culture under pond conditions. The zoometric parameters (weight, height, survival and age to reach commercial size) showed an adequate productive behavior of the species under the experimental conditions. In addition to the biological evaluations, a market study was conducted to establish the niches of potential consumers in Guatemala City. A subsequent investigation aimed at assessing the genetic diversity of the four populations of A. tropicus identified on the Pacific coast of Guatemala was carried out using the polymorphic microsatellite technique. The results on genetic diversity indicated that the different groups of animals that still exist can not be considered as different populations, since their genetic variability is limited and the genomes of their members are very close. Additionally, it was found that the genome of the species A. tropicus is very close to the genome of other fish of the same genus.