Ichthyofauna of the hydrographic basin of the Chasqueiro Stream (Mirim Lagoon system, southern Brazil): generating subsidies for conservation and management

Fabiano Corrêa,Thiago Tuchtenhagen,Juvêncio Pouey,Sérgio Piedras,Edson Fontes De Oliveira

doi:10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2015-0006

Fabiano Corrêa, Thiago Tuchtenhagen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2015-0006

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Abstract

Studies that organize lists of species are essential and act as the starting point for future discussions on the ecology of fish in environments that are poorly studied. The present paper describes the fish assemblage of the hydrographic basin of Chasqueiro Stream, an important component of the Mirim Lagoon system. Fish were collected during one year period between August/2012 and July/2013 in six sites, comprising three biotopes: upstream, reservoir and downstream. A total of 22,853 specimens were collected, and were distributed into 83 species, 20 families, and eight orders. The two species with the largest number of individuals captured were Bryconamericus iheringii with 2,904 (12.71%) and Cheirodon ibicuiensis with 2,868 (12.55%). Characiformes and Siluriformes were the most representative orders in terms of richness and abundance. Bryconamericus iheringi and Cyanocharax alburnus were the species with the highest abundance upstream, while Hyphessobrycon luetkenii and Corydoras paleatus contributed more to the abundance downstream. Cheirodon ibicuhiensis and Heterocheirodon jacuhiensis were the most representative species in the reservoir. This study revealed a rich fauna of fish, which should be preserved for future generations and for the maintenance of local and regional biodiversity.

Highlights

Having knowledge of the fish species that colonize a hydrographic basin is the first step in producing information about the structure of the local assemblage, as well as the trophic and reproductive dynamics
The Neotropical region has the highest diversity of freshwater fish species in the world, with estimates of up to approximately 8,000 species (Schaefer 1998, Leveque et al 2008, Albert & Reis 2011)
Among the countries that form the Neotropical region, Brazil has around 2,500 freshwater fish species in its hydrological systems (Reis et al 2003, Buckup et al 2007), which is related to the large diversity of aquatic systems present in its different biomes

Summary

Introduction

Having knowledge of the fish species that colonize a hydrographic basin is the first step in producing information about the structure of the local assemblage, as well as the trophic and reproductive dynamics. Among the countries that form the Neotropical region, Brazil has around 2,500 freshwater fish species in its hydrological systems (Reis et al 2003, Buckup et al 2007), which is related to the large diversity of aquatic systems present in its different biomes.

Results

Conclusion