Composition and distribution of the fish fauna in the Rio Jacuípe, northernmost tributary of the Rio Paraguaçu basin, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The knowledge of fish fauna in the Caatinga rivers is often limited to the large river basins and their associated aquatic species, with only a few contributions dedicated to adjacent sub-basins. In the present investigation the Rio Jacuípe, the northernmost tributary of the Rio Paraguaçu in Chapada Diamantina, is evaluated regarding the taxonomic diversity, frequency, and constancy of occurrence, of the species distribution in the various segments. Rio Jacuípe flows parallel to Rio Paraguaçu with headwaters in Morro do Chapéu, at the Chapada Diamantina domain, and an artificial mouth in the Pedra do Cavalo dam. With mouth downstream from the metropolitan area of Feira de Santana municipality, the sub-basin has peculiar characteristics distinctive from the main river. The fish fauna of the Jacuípe is for the first time investigated in detail regarding the spatial distribution of aquatic communities. The patterns of fish distribution in the Rio Jacuípe indicate regional endemism although gaps in knowledge of species diversity are identified, especially in middle and lower stretches. The use and occupation of the soil and the alternatives for revitalizing the aquatic environments in the Jacuípe valley are presented and discussed. Our results contribute to the evaluation of public policies on conservation.