Biology of the South American lungfish, Lepidosiren paradoxa

Abstract

Lepidosiren paradoxa, locally known as pirambóia, belongs to the order Dipnoi, or true lungfishes. Th is group includes two other genera: a single Australian species of Neoceratodus (N. forsteri) and at least four African species of Protopterus (Protopterus aethiopicus, P. amphibius, P. annectens, and P. dolloi). Lungfishes are members of an ancient group of bony fishes, the Sarcopterygii or lobe-finned fishes, which were widespread during the Devonian period. Since the expedition of Carter and Beadle in the year 1931, it has been known that the pirambóia dig burrows and aestivate during low water periods. The black body of this lungfish is very elongated, with two pairs of lobe fins, five gill arches; its length can go upto 1.5 m, it moves slowly and lives in swampy areas. Th is chapter describes the main characteristics of the South American lungfish, Lepidosiren paradoxa, and, when necessary, compares it to other lungfishes or teleosts, such as Arapaima and Symbranchus that have similar biological or ecological traits. The chapter is divided into sections where general conditions of living dipnoan genera are compared, and the main characteristics of South American lungfish distribution and habitat, aestivation, reproductive, and feeding behavior are reviewed. Additionally, some metabolic adaptations are described, reviewing the literature and discussing some new facts that were studied in our laboratories. © 2011 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.