Megaleporinus obtusidens: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:44, 3 January 2006

Revision as of 06:44, 6 January 2006

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{{Taxobox end}}

'''''Leporinus obtusidens''''' is a [[South America]]n species of [[ray-finned fish]] that inhabits the basins of the [[Paraná River]] and the [[RiverRío Platede la Plata]], the [[Uruguay River]], and the [[São Francisco River]] (including minor rivers and tributaries like the [[Bermejo River|Bermejo]], [[Pilcomayo River|Pilcomayo]], [[Salí River|Salí]], [[Juramento River|Juramento]], [[Dulce River (Argentina)|Dulce]], and [[Uniguay River|Uniguay]]). It may be found in the main courses and streams, as well as in lakes and lagoons; it often shelters among stones and aquatic vegetation.

In {{ll|Spanish}} its common name is '''''boga''''' (sometimes [[augmentative]] ''bogón''); in [[Brazil]] it is known as '''''piapara'''''. There is also a variant called '''''piava''''' and another called '''''tres puntos''''' ("three dots"). This species is also known by the technical synonym ''Curimatus obtusidens''. The common name ''boga'' is applied to many other species of fish, usually unrelated to this one.

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''L. obtusidens'' has an elongated, wide body, with a comparatively small head and a blunt mouth, with teeth are reminiscent of the [[incisor]]s of ''[[Lagomorpha]]'', whence the name of the [[genus]] (''leporinus'', "[[hare]]-like", as in ''[[Leporidae]]''). Its basic colour is a light greenish-gray, with three rounded dark spots in mid-flank, which may not be visible in some specimens. In young individuals there are also eight broad vertical streaks, joined in the back and coming down to the middle line. The back, as usual in this habitat, is darker than the belly.

The length and weight of the individuals are extremely variable according to the area, probably influenced by different feeding habits, opportunities and exploitation, as well as local sub-specific variants. In the RiverRío Platede la Plata ''L. obtusidens'' is reported as weighing an average of 2 kg, with a maximum of 4 kg; in the upper course of the Paraná River it is about 4.5 kg; and in the middle course of the Paraná there are specimens of ''boga'' over 6 kg (with exceptionally developed ones over 8 kg). Adult individuals are reported between 40 and 80 cm long. The larger fish probably belong to other species of ''Leporinus'' (either ''L. friderici'', which is still not very well known, or ''L. macrocephalus'', only recently classified as a separate species).

''L. obtusidens'' is an [[omnivore]]: it eats water plants, [[crab]]s and river [[snail]]s. However, it prefers grain and [[seed]]s ([[wheat]] and [[maize]]), and it often gathers in large banks near ports, where cargo ships drop grains into the water. It is preyed upon by larger fish like the [[surubí]] and the [[Prochilodus lineatus|sábalo]]. It prefers warm waters and reproduces in spring and summer, starting at 2 years of age.