Genetic identification and reiterated captures suggest that the Astyanax mexicanus El Pachon cavefish population is closed and declining.

ABSTRACT: The sizes of Astyanax mexicanus blind cavefish populations of North-East Mexico are demographic parameters of great importance for investigating a variety of ecological, evolutionary, and conservation issues. However, few estimates have been obtained. For these mobile animals living in an environment difficult to explore as a whole, methods based on capture-mark-recapture are appropriate, but their feasibility and interpretation of results depend on several assumptions that must be carefully examined. Here, we provide evidence that minimally invasive genetic identification from captures at different time intervals (three days and three years) can give insights into cavefish population size dynamics as well as other important demographic parameters of interest. We also provide tools

SUBMITTER: Legendre L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10415772 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature