Evaluating the influence of environmental variables on fish assemblages along Tropical Andes: considerations from ecology to conservation

Abstract The lack of knowledge about freshwater biodiversity in remote areas like montane Andean rivers is noticeable and hinder the development efficient conservation plans for aquatic ecosystems. Habitat requirements tropical fishes have been poorly analysed, despite relevance these ecological features on fish strategies. present study aimed to examine assemblages along altitudinal gradient their relationship habitat detect most relevant abiotic factors implication conservation. This was conducted a regional scale, six basins located Andes (500 2,692 m a.s.l.). We studied diversity distribution habitats elevation gradients. found 6,320 specimens from 53 genera. Our analysis common widely distributed genera ( Astroblepus , Brycon Bryconamericus Chaetostoma Pimelodella Trichomycterus ) underlines hydromorphological variables community structure rivers, whereas human alterations seem be less significant. These findings could useful current management strategies considering threats over rivers.