Dr. Victor Cussac

Universidad Nacional del Comahue

Taxonomic Focus: Fishes

Address: Quintral 1250, San Carlos de Bariloche, 8400 Rio Negro, Argentina
Phone: 54 (2944) 462708
E-mail: vcussac@yahoo.com

Research:

Our laboratory is currently working on life history, reproduction and eco-physiology of the native fishes of Patagonia. Current work is focused on understanding the biological basis that underlie geographical distribution and ecological interactions of galaxiids (Aplochiton zebra, Galaxias maculatus, Galaxias platei), percichthyids (Percichthys trucha), Atherinopsiids (Odontesthes hatcheri) and the naked characin, Gymnocharacinus bergii. We are beginning work to understand morphological variation of Hatcheria macraei. Related projects focus on several of these species and on its interaction with exotic salmonids. In the end, we hope to understand how Patagonian fishes face biotic and abiotic factors in Patagonia.

Related Publications:

Cussac, V. E., P. M. Cervellini Y., M. A. Battini. 1992. Intralacustrine movements of Galaxias maculatus (Galaxiidae) and Odontesthes microlepidotus (Atherinidae) during their early life history. Environ. Biol. Fish., 35:141-148.

Cervellini, P. M., M. A. Battini Y. V. E. Cussac. 1993. Ontogenetic shifts in the feeding of Galaxias maculatus (Galaxiidae) and Odontesthes microlepidotus (Atherinidae). Environ. Biol. Fish., 36(3):283-290.

Battini, M. A., M. F. Alonso Y. V. E. Cussac. 1995. Growth and nutritional condition of the larvae of Odontesthes microlepidotus (Atherinidae): An experimental approach. Environ. Biol. Fish. 42:391-399.

Macchi, P. J., V. E. Cussac, M. F. Alonso & M. A. Denegri. 1999. Predation relationships between introduced salmonids and the native fish fauna in lakes and reservoirs in Northern Patagonia. Ecology of Freswater fishes 8:227-2360.

Barriga, J. P., M. A. Battini, P. J. Macchi, D. Milano & V. E. Cussac. 2002. Spatial and temporal distribution of landlocked Galaxias maculatus and Galaxias platei (Pisces, Galaxiidae) in a lake in the South American Andes. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36(2):349-363.

Cussac, V., S. Ortubay, G. Iglesias, D. Milano, M. Lattuca, J. Barriga, M. Battini & M. Gross. 2004. The distribution of South American galaxiid fishes: the role of biological traits and post glacial history. Journal of Biogeography 31:103-122.

Ortubay, S., V. Cussac, M. Battini, J. Barriga, J. AIGO, M. Alonso, P. Macchi, M. Reissig, J. Yoshioka & S. Fox. 2006. Is the decline of birds and amphibians in a steppe lake of northern Patagonia a consequence of limnological changes following fish introduction? Aquatic Conservation, 16(1):93-105.

Academic Background:

BS (’82) in Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
PhD (’87), Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Professor of Bariloche Regional Centre, Department of Zoology, Universidad Nacional del Comahue - CONICET (’88–present)

Biography:

Born in 1959 in Avellaneda, Argentina. Married with two children. At the Universidad de Buenos Aires (1981 to 1988), Dr. V. Cussac worked on the reproduction of a marine serranid Dules auriga and of a Neotropical catfish, Rhamdia quelen. Later (1988 until the present), in the Universidad Nacional del Comahue, his research focused on the life history of Patagonian fishes. In the last few years, Dr. V. Cussac has taught at the Universidad de Murcia (Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología) and in the Universidad de Salamanca (Departamento de Biología Animal, Parasitología, Ecología, Edafología y Química Agrícola), Spain.

Website:

Personal: http://www.freewebs.com/vcussac
Lab: http://www.freewebs.com/ictiologia