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Peacock Bass

Diversity, Ecology and Conservation

1st Edition - March 15, 2021

Authors: Kirk O. Winemiller, Leslie C. Kelso Winemiller, Carmen G. Montana

Hardback ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 8 5 1 5 7 - 2

eBook ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 8 5 9 6 9 - 1

Peacock Bass: Diversity, Ecology, and Conservation is a unique scientific reference that describes not only the diversity and natural history of the various peacock bass species… Read more

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Peacock Bass: Diversity, Ecology, and Conservation is a unique scientific reference that describes not only the diversity and natural history of the various peacock bass species (fish in the genus Cichla) but also their geographic distributions, evolutionary relationships, ecology, and economic importance. Peacock bass are the most popular sport fish pursued by recreational anglers in tropical freshwaters, and they support important fisheries in rivers and lakes in their native South America as well as other regions of the world where they have been introduced. The book is written in clear prose that allows any reader to appreciate key features of the morphology, population genetics, and reproductive biology of these colorful tropical freshwater fish. Each chapter begins with a vignette introducing an aspect of peacock bass taxonomy, ecology, or conservation based on a personal account from one of the authors. Also included are color photographs of peacock bass, their habitats, other tropical fishes, and the diverse wildlife encountered in rivers and forests of the Neotropics. Photographic guides and detailed descriptions of coloration patterns are provided for species identification, along with distribution maps and essential information related to fisheries management and the economic importance of peacock bass. Biologists interested in zoogeography and the ecological role peacock bass play as major predators in biodiverse rivers and lakes will find summaries of the latest information. Peacock bass have grown in popularity among aquarists, and the book provides basic information about captive care and environmental conditions in their natural habitats. This book is essential reading for biologists, fisheries managers, anglers, naturalists, and aquarists interested in these remarkable fish and the diverse tropical rivers they inhabit.

Kirk O. Winemiller

Dr. Kirk O. Winemiller is a University Distinguished Professor and Regents Professor at Texas A&M University. His research interests include community ecology, aquatic ecosystems, tropical ecology, and fish biology. Much of his research is aimed at understanding the causes and ecological consequences of biological diversity, particularly with respect to fishes and their life history strategies and interactions within food webs. Spanning more than four decades, his research has addressed the influence of watershed features and hydrology on ecological patterns and processes of fluvial ecosystems and applications of this knowledge for managing aquatic biodiversity and freshwater resources in the United States and other regions of the world. He has conducted field studies on freshwater and estuarine fishes throughout Texas and tropical regions of the world, and some of the projects were collaborations with the two coauthors of this book, both of whom share his passion for peacock bass.

Affiliations and expertise

University Distinguished Professor and Regents Professor, Texas A&M University; Elected Fellow, Ecological Society of America, American Fisheries Society and American Association for the Advancement of Science, TX, USA

Leslie C. Kelso Winemiller

Dr. Leslie C. Kelso Winemiller is an Instructional Associate Professor at Texas A&M University where she has taught courses in general biology, biodiversity, zoology, and tropical biology for more than 25 years. She has produced multiple editions of instructional zoology laboratory manuals. For many years she has organized and led study abroad field trips to the Amazon for university students. She has conducted lab research on translational regulation during early development in marine invertebrates as well as fish ecology, the latter including field studies in Africa, Brazil, Venezuela, and Alaska.

Affiliations and expertise

Senior Lecturer and Professor Honoree, University of Texas A&M, College of Science, TX, USA

Carmen G. Montana

Dr. Carmen G. Montaña is an Assistant Professor at Stephen F. Austin State University where she teaches courses in ecology, ichthyology, and limnology. Her research is centered on fish community ecology, with a focus on spatial and temporal variation in species coexistence, evolutionary patterns, feeding behavior, and aquatic food webs. Some of her projects have investigated human impacts on fish diversity, including urban development in the United States and gold mining in South America. She has conducted field research in Texas, Cambodia, Mexico, Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela, including several projects investigating the ecology of peacock bass.

Affiliations and expertise

Research Professor, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, TX, USA