Biology and socio-cultural value of herbivorous Serrasalmidae in French Guyana

  • For silver dollar enthusiasts -


    In an interesting paper [Pagezy & Jegu 2002. Bull.Fr.Peche Piscic. 364: 49-60, free online], the authors describe the feeding ecology and cultural appreciation for the fish ("kumaru" - large silver dollars) and the fishery for them in the Wayana region of French Guyana.

    Image 1 shows the 3 fish taxa discussed (names of genera not all up to date).
    Image 2 shows the aquatic plant the fishes show the highest association with: Mourera fluviatilis (Podostemaceae), a recurrent element in the ecology of many herbivorous Serrasalmidae.

    Image 3 shows depictions by Wayana children (ages 8-13) of the fishery, showing both bow-and-arrow, and standard line and hook fishing.

    Figs 2 and 4 show awareness by the children of consumption by the fish of Podostemaceae plants on the rocks, whereas Figs 5 and 6 show awareness by the children of fish consumption of terrestrial fruit falling in the river from riverine fruit trees.

    Rarely do we see such a vivid depiction of both the fish ecology and the cultural appreciation for them by the locals!
    I enjoyed the article very much. Hopefully you will like it the excerpt too.