Resumen

GONZALEZ, José et al. Distribution and characterization of tilapia species group (Oreochromis spp.) and petunia (Caquetaia kraussii) in natural ecosystems in the western zone of Venezuela. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.4, pp.447-464. ISSN 0798-7269.

The general objective consisted on determining the distribution and the biological characteristics of the Tilapias (Oreochromis spp), group of exotic species and the native ones, in the natural water bodies of the western area of Venezuela. The applied methodology was based on visits to the farms of registered producers and a list of properties taken in a census by the official institutions. The study of the established communities was carried out by means of exploratory fishing water bodies near to the tilapia farms, identification of the captured species, analysis of the stomach contents, determination of relative abundance, and environmental variables. It was determined that 1.3% of the 2614 fish captured in natural bodies of water corresponded to the tilapia group in Zulia and Portuguese states. The commercial cultivation of the tilapias in the western area of the country has diminished 85% in the last 10 years. The Caquetaia kraussii, exotic species for the basin of the Orinoco river, was very abundant (10.2%) and dominant in most of the studied places. The cichlids presence in natural bodies of water has been related with ecosystems with little or no water movement.

Palabras clave : Tilapias; cultivation; Caquetaia; species introduction; Venezuela.