Blood biochemistry and morphometric in Ichthyoelephas humeralis (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) of lotic ecosystems, Los Ríos province, Ecuador

Objective. Evaluate the effects of the habitat zone and sex on the serum biochemical and morphometric response of Ichthyoelephas humeralis in lotic ecosystems of Los Ríos province, Ecuador. Materials and methods. One of the native species (I. humeralis) that are most commercialized in the cantons of Quevedo, Mocache and Fumisa of Los Ríos Province was identified, 60 specimens were captured for each area (180 total), the sexed and the live weight, length, thickness of the head, body and tail were determined; condition Factor and blood biochemistry (glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides). Results. For the morphometric indicators there was no zone-sex interaction. There were only significant differences (p<0.05) for the effect of sex on live weight, length, thickness of the head, body and tail with the highest values for males (284.98 g; 29.32 cm; 6.77 cm; 14.81 cm and 7.80 cm, respectively) except for the condition factor which did not differ statistically. For blood biochemistry the best results for glucose and triglycerides in Quevedo with 162 and 320.67 mg/dL, respectively while cholesterol was higher with 130 mg/dL for Fumisa. Conclusions. The effect of sex on morphometric indicators was evidenced, with the best results for males. While the blood biochemistry showed variability with respect to the areas with the highest results for Quevedo, due to fluctuations in natural conditions of the environment and food