A new species swims in the Pacuare River

Scientists Francisco Álvarez, Derick Herrera and Arturo Angulo recently discovered the Highfin Goby (Gobionellus Oceanicus) at a monitoring site along the Pacuare River, located 7kms upstream from the river mouth on the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica. Previously, it was thought that this species only lived in the oceans or estuaries, but now we know that it can also be found in freshwater ecosystems.

This report increases the count of freshwater fish of Costa Rica to 253 species. It also reaffirms the importance of river ecosystems for the many marine fish species that use estuaries and freshwater as reproduction or feeding sites.

“The health of the marine fish populations is linked to the health of the rivers that flow into the sea”

For example, many marine fish depend on freshwater or estuary ecosystems as nursery grounds, which means that adult fish travel upstream to lay their eggs. This is the case for the many marine goby species that use these freshwater ecosystems for spawning purposes. Based on this knowledge, Francisco, Derick and Arturo suspect that the Highfin Goby population found in the Pacuare River may be using this site as a nursery ground.
It is well observed that the health of the marine fish populations is linked to the health of the rivers that flow into the sea, but science can help bolster this understanding with facts and figures. For example, a river with environmental problems may become a graveyard of fish eggs and even whole adult fish populations during reproduction season.

The report of a new species in the Pacuare River highlights the importance of keeping our rivers wild, clean and healthy.

Read the full article here »

Written by: Elena Vargas Fonseca
Photo credits: Francisco Álvarez, Derick Herrera and Arturo Angulo