Abstract
ABSTRACT Neotropical catfishes Ageneiosus pardalis, Pimelodus grosskopfii and Sorubim cuspicaudus are migratory fishes of commercial importance that exhibit decreasing populations due to overfishing and other anthropic interventions. This study used species-specific microsatellite loci to test the hypothesis that threatened fish populations show genetic vulnerability signs and are genetically structured in the middle and lower sections of the Cauca River. The studied species exhibit genetic diversity levels higher than the average values reported for Neotropical Siluriformes; however, they seem to have suffered recent bottlenecks and they present significant endogamy levels that are higher for the critically endangered catfish P. grosskopfii. Furthermore, both Ageneiosus pardalis and S. cuspicaudus are each formed by one genetic group, while Pimelodus grosskopfii comprises two coexisting genetic groups. The information obtained in this study is useful for the decision making in management plans that are appropriate for the sustainability of these three species populations within the proposal for the expansion of the hydroelectric development and other anthropic activities.
Highlights
The Siluriformes order comprises 38 families, 15 of which are exclusively in Central and South America (Ferraris, 2007; Fricke et al, 2020)
The sampling performed by Integral S.A. between 2011–2014 revealed that A. pardalis, P. grosskopfii, and S. cuspicaudus were differentially distributed in the middle and lower sections of the Cauca River
Despite having the same migration range, P. grosskopfii was found in all sampled sites, including upstream of the Cauca River canyon, whereas S. cuspicaudus was found in the downstream area of Cauca River canyon and the construction zone of the dam (S3–S8)
Summary
The Siluriformes order comprises 38 families, 15 of which are exclusively in Central and South America (Ferraris, 2007; Fricke et al, 2020). Six of these families encompass the 86% of the 2347 catfish valid species of Neotropical distribution (Ferraris, 2007; Fricke et al, 2020): Auchenipteridae (125), Callichthyidae (221), Heptapteridae (226), Loricariidae (1000), Pimelodidae (114), and Trichomycteridae (327). Evidences for gene flow have been found in species that perform medium and large distance migrations during their lifecycle, such as Brachyplatystoma flavicans (Coronel et al, 2004), Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii (Batista, Alves-Gomes, 2006), Pimelodus maculatus (Almeida et al, 2001, 2003; Ramella et al, 2006; Ribolli et al, 2012), Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Coronel et al, 2004), Pseudoplatystoma magdalenatium (Gallo, Díaz-Sarmiento, 2003), Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Dantas et al, 2013; Vaini et al, 2016; Prado et al, 2018), and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (Vaini et al, 2016; Prado et al, 2018).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
