Abstract
Small headwaters streams of the Neotropical region usually have high species richness and diversity. This study aimed to investigate the species composition and abundance of fish fauna in the headwaters streams of the Madeira-Purus interfluvial plain in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 22 streams of 1st to 3rd order were sampled during two expeditions at two separate locations in April-May and July of 2007. A total of 5508 fishes were captured using hand and small seine nets, belonging to 78 species, 22 families and six orders. Characiformes was the most diverse taxonomic group in the samples, followed by Gymnotiformes and Siluriformes. Our findings indicate that the fish fauna of streams in the Madeira- Purus interfluvial plain is both rich and diverse and should be considered during the implementation of strengthened environmental conservation strategies in this region.
Highlights
Our findings indicate that the fish fauna of streams in the MadeiraPurus interfluvial plain is both rich and diverse and should be considered during the implementation of strengthened environmental conservation strategies in this region
The Neotropical region harbors a high diversity of freshwater fish, which includes almost 4500 already described species and nearly 1550 species still waiting for a scientific description (Reis et al 2003)
This study presents the first standardized survey conducted in the interfluvial plain of the Madeira and Purus Rivers
Summary
The Neotropical region harbors a high diversity of freshwater fish, which includes almost 4500 already described species and nearly 1550 species still waiting for a scientific description (Reis et al 2003). The Amazon basin is considered to shelter most of this diversity; knowledge about the ichthyofaunal composition of this region is concentrated in the most accessible areas near large urban centers (Lowe-McConnell 1999). Information about fish has been obtained mostly from the main tributaries of the Amazon River, and primarily targeting medium- to large-sized species of commercial value (Böhlke et al 1978; Rapp Py-Daniel and Leão 1991). Of the 1st (no tributaries), 2nd (two first order streams join) and 3rd order (two second order streams join), have a unique species pool, and contribute significantly to regional diversity (e.g. EspíritoSanto et al 2009). Studies in these environments are limited because of their remoteness (and difficult access) and because they shelter small bodied species that are of no commercial interest for use as human food
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