The GIUA research group is committed to doing research with the adoption of new technologies that provide the necessary elements to support the protection and proper management of Colombia´s fish fauna. The research interests are to evaluate its ecological importance, its fundamental role as an ecosystem service and its genetics. We have focused the research effort on the University´s fish collection (CIUA), its distribution patterns, descriptions of early and adult development, long-term monitoring larvae, adults, analyzing environmental DNA samples, and analyzing changes in populations due to multiple environmental stressors with molecular tools. These activities have made it possible to generate baseline data necessary to guide conservation strategies in Colombia.
Research Lines and/or Areas
Neotropical ichthyology.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Group Coordinator
Luz Fernanda Jiménez Segura
PhD in Sciences, Universidad de Antioquia
Master’s degree in ecology, Management and conservation of wild fauna, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Biologist, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
UdeA research groups (CIVAB - Center for Basic and Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine. Universidad de Antioquia, QUIRON Pathobiology Research Group. Universidad de Antioquia, Vertebrates Group),
National universities (Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Atlántico, Nacional).
Internacional universities (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Universidade Federal de Lavras, University of Southampton -UK, Justus Liebig University Giessen, ITZH-Switzerland, among others).
ACOLGEN and electricity generating companies.
Colombian Association of Ichthyologists – ACICTIOS.
SINA entities (Alexander von Humboldt Institute, SINCHI, IIAP).
Authorities of the Colombian State (AUNAP, Congress of the Republic, Constitutional court, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, ANLA).
ONG (Humedales foundation, WWF, WCS, The Nature Conservancy).
Highlighted Projects
Research, development and innovation: Reproduction areas of migratory fish species in the Magdalena-Cauca basin.
Research and development: Traditional use of fisheries natural resources and biodiversity conservation in underdeveloped tropical regions: towards an Ecology of Reconciliation model.
Research and development: Factors that structure the assemblage of fish species in the Magdalena and Cauca river basins.
Research, development and innovation: Research agreement between Universidad de Antioquia and Public Companies of Medellín (EPM by its Spanish acronym).Research carried out: Library of life of the aquatic biota of the Magdalena River basin; Dynamics of fish assemblages in basins within the area of influence of reservoirs managed by EPM; Characteristics of fish populations of introduced species; Conservation strategy for the Brycon henni Sabaleta for the Nechí River basin; Management strategies aimed at reducing fish mortality within reservoirs; Monitoring and conservation of hydrobiological resources in the middle and lower Cauca River basin.
Key Research Findings
Jiménez-Segura L, Restrepo-Ángel JD and Hernandez-Serna A (2022) Drivers for the artisanal fisheries production in the Magdalena River. Front. Environ. Sci. 10:866575. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.866575
Jiménez-Segura, L. y C. A. Lasso (Eds.). 2020. XIX. Peces de la cuenca del río Magdalena, Colombia: diversidad, conservación y uso sostenible. Serie Editorial Recursos Hidrobiológicos y Pesqueros Continentales de Colombia. 434 pp.
Tognelli MF, Anderson EP, Jiménez‐Segura L, et al. Assessing conservation priorities of endemic freshwater fishes in the Tropical Andes region. Aquatic Conserv:Mar Freshw Ecosyst. 2018;1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.297110 TOGNELLI ET AL.
Jiménez-Segura, L.F., Galvis-Vergara, G., Cala-Cala, P., García-Alzate, C.A., López- Casas, S., Ríos-Pulgarín, M.I., Arango, G.A., Mancera-Rodríguez, N.J., Gutiérrez- Bonilla, F. and Álvarez-León, R. (2016), Freshwater fish faunas, habitats and conservation challenges in the Caribbean river basins of north-western South America. J Fish Biol, 89: 65-101. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13018
