Spatial distribution of Gambusia Affinis Poey, 1854 (Poeciliidae) according to shading condition in the Huacachina lagoon, Peru

• Autor: Argota-Pérez, George
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2026
• Institución: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal
• Repositorio: Revistas - Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:ojs2.revistas.unfv.edu.pe:article/2116
• Enlace del recurso: https://revistas.unfv.edu.pe/NH/article/view/2116
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: abundance; Gambusia affinis; microhabitat; shade; spatial distribution; abundancia; distribución espacial; microhábitat; sombra

The spatial distribution of introduced species in lentic systems depends on microenvironmental gradients such as shade and radiation, which modulate microhabitat occupation. In coastal desert oases, this heterogeneity can influence the spatial organization of a biological control agent of mosquito larvae, such as Gambusia affinis Poey, 1854, although there is limited empirical evidence in these ecosystems. The objective of this research was to describe the spatial distribution of G. affinis according to shade conditions in the Huacachina Lagoon, Peru. An analytical, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between August and December 2025. Eighteen contiguous 3-m-wide coastal segments were evaluated (10 shaded and 8 sunny). The independent variable was shade conditions, and the dependent variable was abundance per segment (ind/m²). Shaded segments showed a higher average abundance (8.3 ± 0.60) than sunny segments (5.0 ± 0.46), with higher maximum values ​​and a greater range of variation. The higher concentration in areas with vegetation cover suggests a preference for less exposed microclimates, associated with thermal regulation and the availability of refuge. It is concluded that shade significantly influences the spatial distribution of G. affinis in the Huacachina Lagoon, demonstrating a differential pattern of occupation in coastal microhabitats.