Epigean and subterranean ichthyofauna in Cordisburgo karst area, eastern Brazil

After an ichthyofaunistic survey conducted in May 2007 on surface (epigean) water bodies of Cordisburgo karst area, State of Minas Gerais, 13 species were recorded, mostly characiforms; in addition three non-troglomorphic (normally eyed and pigmented) and one troglomorphic catfish (siluriforms) species were recorded in two caves surveyed at different occasions, totaling 17 fish species for the area. All the nominal species herein reported for Cordisburgo area have been previously reported for the Rio das Velhas basin. None of the species observed in caves were found in epigean habitats and vice-versa. The four cave species are distributed throughout subterranean stream reaches, with individuals at different size/age classes. This, associated to the lack of conspicuous morphological differences in relation to epigean congeners, indicate that Trichomycterus brasiliensis, Gymnotus cf. carapo and Pimelodella cf. vittata are troglophiles (species encompassing individuals able to live and complete their life cycle either in the surface or in the subterranean environment) in the Morena Cave; the latter forms a large population and may be at the beginning of a differentiation process due to isolation in the subterranean habitat, as indicated by a slight reduction in eye size. Topographic isolation may be the cause for the incipient, but unmistakable troglomorphism of the Rhamdiopsis population found in the Salitre Cave, allowing for its classification as troglobite (exclusively subterranean species). The Cordisburgo area is subject to significant anthropic pressure, mainly represented by deforestation for agriculture, cattle raising and timbering. Tourism is an additional important threat for cave communities, calling for urgent protection measures.

Surface and subterranean ichthyofauna in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, northeastern Brazil, with updated lists of Brazilian troglobitic and troglophilic fishes

After an ichthyofaunistic survey in several epigean (surface) water bodies of the Serra do Ramalho, southern Bahia, conducted in May 2007, 44 species were recorded; in addition, three non-troglomorphic (normally eyed and pigmented) and two troglomorphic species were recorded only in caves, totaling 49 species of fishes for the area, which represents a little more than one fourth of the total registered in the literature for the entire Rio São Francisco basin. In these caves, which have been studied since 2005, eight non-troglomorphic species were sampled and their presence in both epigean and subterranean habitats, associated to the lack of morphological differences, indicate that they may be either troglophiles (species encompassing individuals able to live and complete their life cycle either in the surface or in the subterranean environment), trogloxenes (individuals regularly found in subterranean habitats, but which must return periodically to the surface in order to complete their life cycle) or even accidental in caves. In addition, two troglomorphic species (with reduced eyes and melanic pigmentation when compared to close epigean relatives), belonging respectively to the genera Rhamdia and Trichomycterus, were recorded exclusively in caves, thus classified as troglobites. Interestingly, no epigean representative of the genus Trichomycterus was collected. The new data are integrated into updated lists of Brazilian troglobitic and troglophilic fishes, based on published data and new records recently confirmed.

Population genetic structuring in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) across the Paraná-Paraguay basin: evidence from microsatellites

The Paraná-Paraguay basin encompasses central western Brazil, northeastern Paraguay, eastern Bolivia and northern Argentina. The Pantanal is a flooded plain with marked dry and rainy seasons that, due to its soil characteristics and low declivity, has a great water holding capacity supporting abundant fish fauna. Piaractus mesopotamicus, or pacu, endemic of the Paraná-Paraguay basin, is a migratory species economically important in fisheries and ecologically as a potential seed disperser. In this paper we employ eight microsatellite loci to assess the population structure of 120 pacu sampled inside and outside the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. Our main objective was to test the null hypothesis of panmixia and to verify if there was a different structuring pattern between the Pantanal were there were no physical barriers to fish movement and the heavily impounded Paraná and Paranapanema rivers. All loci had moderate to high levels of polymorphism, the number of alleles varied from three to 18. The average observed heterozygosity varied from 0.068 to 0.911. After the Bonferroni correction three loci remained significant for deviations from Hardy-Weinberg, and for those the frequency of null alleles was estimated. F ST and R ST pairwise comparisons detected low divergence among sampling sites, and differentiation was significant only between Paranapanema and Cuiabá and Paranapanema and Taquari. No correlation between genetic distance and the natural logarithm of the geographic distance was detected. Results indicate that for conservation purposes and for restoration programs small genetic differences detected in the Cuiabá and Paranapanema rivers should be taken in consideration.

Atherinella blackburni (Schultz, 1949) at Itamambuca Beach, Ubatuba, SP: ecological characterization and distribution on the Brazilian coast (Teleostei: Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae)

Atherinella blackburni is a silverside species whose occurrence on the Brazilian coast was not properly registered until recently. So far, records of its distribution along the Brazilian shore were limited to Itaparica Island, Bahia State, and Porto Inhaúma, Rio de Janeiro State. In a recent survey of the ichthyofauna of Itamambuca Beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo State, 100 specimens of this species were collected, yielding a considerable source of information regarding its ecology and a new southern limit of its distribution. A detailed survey of an ichthyological collection revealed lots of this species from regions of the Brazilian Northeast, resulting in a northward expansion of the occurrence of A. blackburni in Brazilian waters. Besides the populations found on the Brazilian coast, the species also occurs discontinuously in the Atlantic coasts of Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. Meristic and morphometric analysis showed overlapped values between Brazilian populations and the ones closer to the Caribbean. An ecological study of A. blackburni at Itamambuca Beach revealed that it is a predominantly diurnal species with preference for warm and salty waters, often occurring in sandy-bottom environments. It was more abundant in Summer and Winter, when individuals with smaller values of length and weight also occurred.

Ecological aspects of the surf-zone ichthyofauna of Itamambuca Beach, Ubatuba, SP

Sandy beaches are among the most extensive environments in Brazil and are generally threatened by disorderly urban growth due to their location along the coast, where human populations tend to concentrate. This is especially true in southeastern Brazil, where the largest urban areas are located. Thus, better knowledge regarding these natural resources is of considerable importance. The surf zone of sandy beaches is inhabited by a number of fish species, including juveniles seeking both food and shelter from predators. An ecological survey was conducted in the surf zone of Itamambuca beach in the city of Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the composition, structure and dynamics of the fish fauna using community descriptors. Diurnal and nocturnal samples were taken with a beach seine at five oceanographic stations over a 12-month period. Water temperature and salinity were also recorded. A total of 2,147 individuals representing 34 species and 18 families were sampled. The main variation in fish fauna was detected on the diel level, followed by a spatial repartition possibly related to salinity. Seasonal variation was also observed. The five most important species in the overall context were Atherinella brasiliensis, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Mugil sp., Trachinotus goodei and Atherinella blackburni.

Ichthyofauna of Rio Jurubatuba, Santos, São Paulo: a high diversity refuge in impacted lands

Ichthyofaunistic surveys in the Atlantic Rainforest have been published in relatively few works, in spite of the major biological importance of this once vast biome which is rapidly vanishing due to disordered human population growth and natural resources overexploitation. The present study aimed to access the fish fauna of a relatively well preserved basin between the cities of Santos and Cubatão (SP), an area highly modified by human activities where recent ichthyofaunistic surveys are still missing. Collections were made during three field trips in Rio Jurubatuba, a medium sized costal river, and Riacho Sabão, one of its main tributaries. A total of 2773 specimens were sampled, representing 25 species from 14 families. Six species were primary marine using the upper reaches of Rio Jurubatuba. Twelve of the 19 freshwater species are endemic of the Atlantic Rainforest and four are present in regional lists of endangered species. Only five species occurred in both Rio Jurubatuba and Riacho Sabão. The most diverse family was Characidae, followed by Poeciliidae, Rivulidae and Heptapteridae. Phalloceros caudimaculatus was the most abundant species, followed by Poecilia vivipara and Geophagus brasiliensis. The study area is considered well preserved and due to its critical location, urges for conservation policies to protect its fish diversity.

Ichthyofauna in an estuary of the Mataripe area, Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

The community structure and dynamics as well as some biological parameters of selected species of the ichthyofauna of the Mataripe estuarine region affected by the Landulfo Alves Oil Refinery (RLAM) were analyzed. Twenty stations were sampled with a gillnet in five different periods: August and December 2003, March and July/August 2004 and January 2005. Thirty-five actinopterygian species and one elasmobranch species were recorded, Oligoplites saurus, Diapterus rhombeus, Lutjanus synagris and Scomberomorus brasiliensis among them, on all the campaigns. A total of 1368 specimens, weighing 36.10 kg, were caught. The ichthyofauna total biomass was greater, in weight, on the eastern side of the study region, especially at the stations close to the shoals/reefs and the rocky bottom. A similar pattern was also observed for the diversity values. In general, low evenness and diversity were observed in the area studied, possibly as a result of the fishing gear used. D. rhombeus juveniles dominated in all but one of the samplings (July 2004), in which latter Cyclichthys spinosus was dominant. Carangids and species associated with consolidated bottoms were observed, although in small numbers, throughout the study period. In spite of the limitations imposed by the gear used for sampling, the estuarine area influenced by the RLAM was seen to play a role as a growth area for the great majority of species, especially the mojarra (D. rhombeus), but it offers no fishing potential due to the prevalence of young and small individuals. Evidence of imminent spawning was recorded for Pomadasys corvinaeformis in August 2003, and recent spawning in March 2004 for Oligoplites saurus. Further, mature individuals occurred in insufficient numbers to permit population level evaluation.

The ichthyofauna of upper rio Capivari: defining conservation strategies based on the composition and distribution of fish species

Although the rio Capivari basin is recognized as an area of great importance for the ichthyofauna, it lacks virtually every basic requirement for the definition of appropriate conservation strategies, since not even its species composition is known. The objective of this work is to determine the composition and distribution of fish species in the upper rio Capivari basin, relating them to the local physical features, and to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed conservations units, delimited based on areas of native vegetation remains, on the conservation of local ichthyofauna. During 2007, 50 different watercourses were sampled with gillnets, cast nets and kick nets. A total of 1308 individuals belonging to 41 species were captured. Degree of conservation, altitude and width were the parameters that best explained fish species richness. Considering the recently proposed boundaries for potential conservation units in the region only 15 or 20 out of 41 species would be found in the State Park and Environmental Protection Area respectively. In practice, the proposed conservation units would not be effective tools for fish conservation, since it would be located in mountainous areas of high altitude, of headwaters streams and where few species are found. In such context, the conservation of specific stretches of larger rivers is critical.

Peixes da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, bacias dos Rios Tocantins e São Francisco, com observações sobre as implicações biogeográficas das "águas emendadas" dos Rios Sapão e Galheiros

Um levantamento preliminar da ictiofauna que ocorre na Estação Ecológica Serra Geral de Tocantins, situada no Sudeste do Estado do Tocantins e Noroeste do Estado da Bahia, é apresentado. A Estação Ecológica Serra Geral de Tocantins situa-se no divisor de águas entre as bacias do Rio São Francisco (Rio Sapão) e Rio Tocantins (bacias dos Rios Novo, Balsas e Manuel Alves). A cabeceira comum ou "água emendada" do Rio Sapão e Rio Galheiros, este um afluente do Rio Novo, situa-se no interior da estação e é considerada na literatura como uma possível área de intercâmbio ictiofaunístico entre a bacia do Rio São Francisco e a bacia do Rio Tocantins. Trinta e cinco espécies de peixes foram registradas dentro da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral de Tocantins e em seu entorno imediato, algumas delas desconhecidas da ciência e possivelmente endêmicas da região. Um total de 111 espécies de peixes foi registrado regionalmente (incluindo espécies de peixes registrados nos trechos do Rio Sapão e do Rio Novo/do Sono abaixo da estação). O acará Cichlasoma sanctifranciscense é aqui registrado pela primeira vez na bacia do Rio Tocantins. A ocorrência desta espécie, bem como do lambari Astyanax novae, no Rio Sapão e no Rio Novo/do Sono, são considerados os únicos exemplos inequívocos de transposição natural de espécies de peixes entre as bacias do Rio São Francisco e Tocantins efetuado pelas águas emendadas dos rios Sapão e Galheiros.

Mapping multi-species habitat use for marine conservation planning

Tese de Doutoramento, Ciências do Mar (Biologia Marinha)

Factores bióticos e abióticos na distribuição e reprodução de espécies íctias costeiras residentes : estudo de caso no ilhéu dos Fradinhos, ilhéu das Cabras e Serretinha. Ilha Terceira, Açores, PT

Dissertação de Mestrado em Gestão e Conservação da Natureza

Composição do pescado e situação da pesca no Estado de Rondônia

No presente trabalho são analisados os dados de produção pesqueira registrados nos mercados de Porto Velho, Guajará Mirim e Pimenteiras no período 1980/84, em combinação com as informações colhidas através do inventário taxômico da ictiofauna e dos estudos de ecologia em que estamos desenvolvendo sobre as principais espécies de peixes nas bacias dos rios Jamari, Machado, Guaporé e Mamoré, no estado de Rondônia, através do programa POLONOROESTE.

IMPACTOS DA HIDRELÉTRICA SAMUEL SOBRE AS COMUNIDADES DE PEIXES DO RIO JAMARI (RONDÔNIA, BRASIL)

A Usina Hidrelétrica de Samuel está localizada no rio Jamari, primeiro afluente da margem direita do rio Madeira, cerca de 56 km abaixo de Porto Velho-RO. A hidrelétrica teve sua construção iniciada em abril/1982 e entrou em operação a partir de abril/89. O estudo comparativo da ictiofauna, na área de influência daquela hidrelétrica, nas fases de pré e pós-enchimento do reservatório, mostra que as comunidades de peixes sofreram profundas alterações pelo represamento: houve redução da diversidade no reservatório, bem como o aumento de pira-nha-preta (Serrasalmuts rhombeus),tucunaré (Cichla monoculus),aracu-comum (Schizodon fasciatus)e mapará (Hypophthalmus edentatus);imediatamente à jusante da represa houve um aumento de mandi (Pimelodus blochii)\além disso, houve redução dos peixes detritívoros e frugívoros e aumento dos piscivoros.As comunidades de peixes do canal principal do Jamari parecem ter sido mais influenciadas pelo represamento do rio do que aquelas dos lagos marginais. A atividade pesqueira, antes restrita à foz do Jamari, foi intensificada na área do reservatório e isso vem constituindo-se num sério obstáculo para o manejo da pesca. Estes aspectos são comentados e algumas ações são propostas para melhor gerenciamento da pesca c sustentabilidade dos recursos pesqueiros.

INVENTÁRIO TAXONÔMICO DOS ANOSTOMÍDEOS (PISCES, ANOSTOMIDAE) DA BACIA DO RIO UATUMÃ-AM, BRASIL, COM DESCRIÇÃO DE DUAS ESPÉCIES NOVAS.

O presente estudo trata do inventário, descrição e ilustração das espécies de anostomídeos da bacia do rio Uatumã. Ele foi desenvolvido com base na coleção de peixes do INPA, montada a partir de um intenso programa de coletas, na bacia do Uatumã, nas áreas de influência das usinas hidrelétricas de Balbina e Pitinga, ambas no estado do Amazonas. Para a maioria das espécies são feitos comentários sobre os caracteres diagnósticos, área de distribuição, biótopos preferenciais e principais variações do padrão de colorido entre adultos e jovens. As vinte e duas espécies identificadas pertencem a 8 gêneros, sendo Leporinusdominante, com 12 espécies, seguido de Laemolyta, Anostomuse Pseudanos,com duas e de Schizodon, Anostomoides, Synaptolaemuse Gnathodolus,com uma espécie cada. Dentre os peixes inventariados, duas espécies são consideradas novas e descritas (Leporinus uatumaensissp.n e Leporinus pitingaisp.n.) A partir deste estudo, as espécies tiveram sua área de ocorrência ampliada, já que algumas delas só haviam sido assinaladas para a localidade-tipo.

A pesca no reservatório da hidrelétrica de Balbina (Amazonas, Brasil)

A hidrelétrica de Balbina localiza-se no rio Uatumã, a 170 km de Manaus, pela BR/174. O enchimento do reservatório iniciou-se em outubro/87 e a usina começou a funcionar em fevereiro de 1989, com apenas uma das suas cinco turbinas. Apesar da redução da diversidade da ictiofauna e dos danos ambientais e sociais decorrentes do represamento, algumas espécies de peixes proliferaram no reservatório, resultando no incremento da atividade pesqueira, praticada basicamente sobre os estoques de tucunaré (Cichla spp). A explotação desta espécie, iniciada logo após a formação do reservatório, vem sendo feita até os dias atuais, com uma produção média em torno de 500 toneladas/ano e da qual participam 100 a 160 pescadores profissionais, além de dezenas de amadores. Os barcos de pesca tem baixa capacidade, entre 800 e 5.000 kg e o pescado é mantido e transportado em gelo adquirido em Manaus. Devido sobretudo às grandes dimensões do reservatório, cerca de 2360 km2, a densidade de pescadores é muito baixa, em torno de 0,04 a 0,07/km2. O presente trabalho descreve a atividade pesqueira praticada, analisa os níveis de produção e discute critérios que deveriam ser empregados com vistas ao aperfeiçoamento do manejo deste importante recurso natural.