Abstract
The objective of the study was to characterize seasonally and locally the reproduction of Pirapitinga do Sul (Brycon opalinus). The study area included three rivers (Paraibuna, Ipiranga, and Grande) in the Santa Virgínia Unit of the Serra do Mar State Park, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Breeding occurred in spring, summer, and autumn. The L(50) and the L(100) of this species were 16 to 18 cm and 26 to 28 cm, respectively. Spawning was total, with synchronous development in two groups. The size of mature oocytes was 1,346.4 microm, reaching a maximum of 2,570.4 microm, with a mean fecundity of 9,190.5 oocytes. This species has external fertilization, is non-migratory, and lacks parental care of the young. Preservation of the Pirapitinga do Sul depends, in great part, on maintaining water quality, preservation of the riverine forests, and access to breeding areas.
Highlights
The State of São Paulo contains the largest remaining area of the Atlantic Forest and associated coastal ecosystems of Brazil, which represent approximately 7% of the original vegetation cover
In the DOU (Diário Oficial da União) of 21 May 2004, the Brazilian Federal government declared this species to be threatened with extinction, and prohibited its fishing or any form of removal, except for purposes of scientific research
Three sites in the Paraibuna basin were selected for the collections: the Paraibuna, Ipiranga, and Grande rivers. These sites are located within the Santa Virgínia Unit of the Serra do Mar State Park (23° 24’, 23° 17’ S and 45° 03’ W)
Summary
The State of São Paulo contains the largest remaining area of the Atlantic Forest and associated coastal ecosystems of Brazil, which represent approximately 7% of the original vegetation cover. A large part of the forest remnants are in state parks, ecological stations, and experimental stations, which occupy more than 3% of the land area of the state (Villani et al, 1998). The aquatic resources of the entire Paraíba Valley have been severely impacted since the region began to be occupied by farms during the colonial period. These activities, carried out without due conservation management, led to the cutting of gallery forests, silting of streams, water pollution, and innumerable other environmental problems. The characid freshwater fishes of the genus Brycon are typically silver-gray, medium to large in size, and usually important for commercial and subsistence fisheries. In the DOU (Diário Oficial da União) of 21 May 2004, the Brazilian Federal government declared this species to be threatened with extinction, and prohibited its fishing or any form of removal, except for purposes of scientific research
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