Cyphocharax Voga Research Articles

Bioaccumulation of 10 trace elements in juvenile fishes of the Lower Paraná River, Argentina: implications associated with essential fish growing habitat.

This study assessed the concentration, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in juvenile fishes (Acestrorynchus pantaneiro, Brycon orbygnianus, Cyphocharax voga, Megaleporinus obtusidens, Odontesthes bonariensis, Pimelodus maculatus, Prochilodus lineatus, Salminus brasiliensis, and Schizodon borelli) in the Lower Paraná River (Argentina), the most extensive floodplain from the Plata Basin. The floodplain is crucial for the reproduction and growth of various species such as P. lineatus, M. obtusidens, and S. brasiliensis, which complete their life cycle in this environment. In total, 90 individuals were sampled for nitrogen stable isotope, and trace element analysis in muscle tissue, water, and sediment was analyzed. The results show that all the studied species bioaccumulate Cr, Mg, Ni, and Zn. In particular, B. orbygnianus and P. maculatus presented the highest bioaccumulation factor for Cr. A biodilution of Co through the food chain was observed. No positive correlation was found between element concentration and trophic level, but we observed significant differences between trophic guilds (herbivorous, omnivorous, and carnivorous). Our findings suggest that feeding habits determine trace element concentrations. To establish differential behavior between different species within the aquatic web further studies are necessary, particularly in the floodplain of the Paraná, which is a crucial nursery area for most commercially important fishes from the Plata Basin. Graphical abstract.

Production and characterization of flour chemistry of fish silage, destined to aquaculture

Chemical fish silage is a liquid product elaborated with whole fish or parts of them, with the addition of a few acids or mixture of them, with the liquefaction of the mass being done by enzymes already present in fish. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of fresh water fish Voga (Cyphocharax voga). This species is of low commercial value, found abundantly in Rio Grande do Sul and captured by non-professional fishermen, being discarded soon after capture constituting a problem for fishermen and industries. Besides being poluents, highly nutritive products are wasted. Acetic acid silage was elaborated with ground fish dregs, added 10% acetic acid during 15 days and pH monitored daily. Amino acids, minerals and chemical composition analyses were performed. Results showed that the production of fish chemical silage was satisfactory, allowing decrease in environment pollution and utilization of a promising product in pisciculture. At the end of hydrolysis the protein composition was of 62% showing practically the same composition of the raw material (protein content of 55.49%, 20.79% lipids and 23.12% of total minerals). Silage presented adequate aminoacid and mineral composition, suggesting the utilization of this silage, prepared from fresh water fish dregs, as protein source in fish ration formulation.

Defining the reproductive period of freshwater fish species using the Gonadosomatic Index: a proposed protocol applied to ten species of the Patos Lagoon basin

ABSTRACT This contribution records the reproductive periods of ten dominant freshwater fish species from the Patos Lagoon and Guaíba Lake (Astyanax fasciatus, Cyphocharax voga, Hoplias malabaricus, Oligosarcus jenynsii, Oligosarcus robustus, Hoplosternum littorale, Loricariichthys anus, Parapimelodus nigribarbis, Trachelyopterus lucenai, Pachyurus bonariensis). Data were derived from monthly samples in Casamento Lake (northern Patos Lagoon; Nov. 2002 to Apr. 2004) and Guaíba Lake (Jun. 2005 to May 2006). The reproductive period was determined according to the monthly variation of the gonadosomatic index (GSI). Fish reproduction was identified during all months of the year. Oligosarcus jenynsii started reproduction in winter, but extended spawning to spring (early warming-water reproduction). Three species also presented reproduction during warming water months, but beginning in spring and finishing in summer (late warm-water reproduction): P. nigribarbis, T. lucenai and P. bonariensis. Three species presented relatively short reproduction periods on summer (spotted warm-water reproduction): H. malabaricus, H. littorale and L. anus, and only one species reproduces almost continuously during warmer waters (long-season warm-water reproduction): A. fasciatus. Finally, two other species presented a very distinct reproductive pattern, starting reproduction on late summer but increasing GSI values along autumn and winter (long-season cooling-water reproducers): C. voga and O. robustus.

Dactylogyrid monogeneans parasitising Cyphocharax voga (Hensel) (Teleostei: Curimatidae) from the Pampas region, Argentina: new and previously described species.

Most studies on dactylogyrid monogeneans in Argentina have been carried out during 1980s and 1990s. Many of these species have been later synonymised and other remain under a confusing taxonomic status, particularly those parasitising Cyphocharax voga (Hensel) (Teleostei: Curimatidae). In order to clarify the identity of dactylogyrids, new material was collected from fishes in Lake Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A total of four species was found in the gills of C. voga. Two known species, Curvianchoratus singularis (Suriano, 1980) Suriano, 1986 and Palombitrema triangulum (Suriano, 1981) Suriano, 1997, are redescribed and their generic and specific status discussed, and two new species are described. Urocleidoides surianoae n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by having an anterior medial projection in the ventral bar and a laminar ligament connecting the base of the male copulatory organ and accessory piece. Annulotrematoides bonaerensis n. sp. differs from its congeners principally by having a ventral bar with an anterior medial projection. The diversity of dactylogyrids harboured by C. voga indicates the need of further studies in the Pampas region, which will provide interesting and valuable sources of evidence for future zoogeographical and evolutionary research on dactylogyrids in the Neotropics.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish with different feeding habits inhabiting a shallow lake ecosystem

The occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment can affect organisms inhabiting aquatic systems, in particular shallow lakes that are vulnerable to environmental stressors. This study aimed to assess POPs accumulation and changes at histological and physiological levels in tissues of three fish species with different trophic habits. Gills, brain, muscle, liver and gonads of Odontesthes bonariensis, Oligosarcus jenynsii and Cyphocharax voga were collected from the shallow lake La Peregrina, located in an agricultural area from Argentina. In addition, contaminant levels in surface water (SW), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and bottom sediments (BS) were assessed. Histological lesions were evaluated in fish tissues and levels of vitellogenin (VTG) were assessed in plasma of male fish in order to correlate these alterations with the presence of POPs in the environment. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined by GC-ECD. Biotic and abiotic samples showed the same POPs distribution pattern: OCPs>PCBs>PBDEs. Although tissue distribution of OCPs was species-specific, muscle showed the lowest levels in all species. The most abundant contaminants were endosulfans, suggesting their widespread use in the area. O. bonariensis showed the highest endosulfans levels in liver (184.2–219ngg−1wet w), which was associated with the high SPM levels considering this species is a filter feeder. The occurrence of PCBs and PBDEs shows the ubiquity of these pollutants in the area. Histological lesions in gills and liver of O. bonariensis and O. jenynsii, might be related with the high levels of endosulfans in these organs. The detection of VTG in males warns about a possible exposure to estrogenic compounds in the environment. In conclusion, the simultaneous exposure of fish to multiple environmental pollutants leads to different alterations, so measures should be taken in order to prevent their occurrence and toxic effects.

Evolutionary trends in the family Curimatidae (Characiformes): inferences from chromosome banding

The family Curimatidae is a fish group usually considered chromosomally conserved in their diploid number. However, some studies show small changes in the karyotype microstructure, and the presence of B chromosomes, indicating a chromosomal diversification within the group, even if structural changes in the karyotypes are not visible. Few studies associate this trait with an evolutionary pattern within the family. This study aimed to characterize the karyotype, nucleolus organizer regions (NORs), and heterochromatin distribution of six species of Curimatidae of the genera Cyphocharax Fowler, 1906 and Steindachnerina Fowler, 1906: Cyphocharax voga (Hensel, 1870), Cyphocharax spilotus (Vari, 1987), Cyphocharax saladensis (Meinken, 1933), Cyphocharax modestus (Fernández-Yépez, 1948), Steindachnerina biornata (Braga et Azpelicueta, 1987) and Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernández-Yépez, 1948) and contribute data to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the chromosomal evolution of this group of fish. All specimens had 2n=54, m-sm, and B microchromosomes. Five species exhibited single NORs, except for Steindachnerina biornata, which showed a multiple pattern of ribosomal sites. NORs were chromomycin A3 positive (CMA3+) and 4’-6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI-) negative, exhibiting differences in the pair and chromosomal location of each individual of the species. FISH with 5S rDNA probe revealed sites in the pericentrometic position of a pair of chromosomes of five species. However, another site was detected on a metacentric chromosome of Cyphocharax spilotus. Heterochromatin distributed both in the pericentromeric and some terminal regions was revealed to be CMA3+/DAPI-. These data associated with the previously existing ones confirm that, although Curimatidae have a very conservative karyotype macrostructure, NORs and heterochromatin variability are caused by mechanisms of chromosome alterations, such as translocations and/or inversions, leading to the evolution and diversification of this group of fish.

Lake size and fish diversity in southern Brazil coastal lagoons

Event Abstract Back to Event Lake size and fish diversity in southern Brazil coastal lagoons Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues1* and David Da Motta Marques1 1 UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL, Brazil The coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, presents a series of shallow lagoons with diverse size and morphology. The objective of this study is to determine whether the size of the lagoon is an effective factor for structuring fish diversity. In this regard, nine lagoons with distinct areas were sampled: three with an area up to 40 hectares, three with area between 40 and 80 hectares, and three with an area of over 80 hectares. Each lagoon was sampled once on the littoral and pelagic zones. At each point, fish were captured through a set of gill nets with different mesh sizes. Captured specimens were identified, quantified and evaluated for weight and length. A total of 24 fish species belonging to 10 families was obtained, with Characidae presenting the highest species richness. Cyanocharax alburnus was the only species that occurred in all lagoons. Cyphocharax voga, Astyanax eigenmmaniorum, Oligosarcus jenynsii and O. robustus were also frequent species, present in most of the sampled lagoons. Lycengraulis grossidens was captured in just two lagoons with increased conductivity. The community structure showed the highest species richness in lakes with an area over 40 ha, however the highest mean diversity values were observed in ponds up to 40 ha. Cluster Analysis yielded the formation of two groups: a group formed by just one lagoon and a second one cluster grouping all the other lagoons. This pattern may be associated with the presence of Lycengraulis grossidens as a dominant species in this lagoon clustered apart. The results indicate that lagoons with up to 40 ha present greater homogeneity on the species composition and higher average values of diversity; while intermediate ponds (between 40 and 80 ha) have lower average diversity for the fish fauna due to increased heterogeneity in species abundance. Keywords: Coastal lagoons, Southern Brazil, Fish diversity, Lake size, heterogeneity Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Ecology, Conservation and Invasive Species Citation: Ribeiro Rodrigues L and Da Motta Marques D (2015). Lake size and fish diversity in southern Brazil coastal lagoons. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2015.03.00159 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 26 Oct 2015; Published Online: 28 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL, PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil, luciarrodrigues@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues David Da Motta Marques Google Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues David Da Motta Marques Google Scholar Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues David Da Motta Marques PubMed Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues David Da Motta Marques Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Fish assemblage of a Pampean shallow lake, a story of instability

Pampean lakes are characterised by the alternation of flood and drought periods, but little is known about its effects on fish assemblage in an extended temporal scale. This study analyses the temporal variability of the fish assemblage in Chascomus Lake, and discusses the role of temperature and precipitation as potential drivers of fish composition shifts. Data acquisition was based on experimental fishing performed from 1999 to 2013 and from historical fishing records. Two alternative fish assemblage configurations were identified by cluster analysis. Odontesthes bonariensis, Parapimelodus valenciennis and Cyphocharax voga were the dominant species, which accounted for 70–80% of the relative abundance. The species O. bonariensis showed temporal fluctuations in its representativeness, changing from dominant to almost absent, whereas C. voga and P. valenciennis changed their abundance following a similar pattern along time. When historical data were considered, Platanichthys platana appeared as the fourth most relevant species. Precipitation, critical temperatures and fish mortalities were identified as the main drivers of species abundance shifts. This study highlights the importance of long-term assessments to understand the influence of climatic factors and the need to maintain or restore natural ecological processes as the basis to support dynamic sustainable fisheries in Pampean shallow lakes.

The trophic role of Cyphocharax voga (Hensel 1869) according to foraging area and diet analysis in turbid shallow lakes

Detritivory is a widespread strategy that has been associated with shallow, warm and productive sys- tems. Eutrophic and hypereutrophic lakes can be dominated by an assemblage of detritivorous fish species. The trophic role of the pelagic fish Cyphocharax voga in two temperate turbid shallow lakes was analyzed through the study of its diet and foraging area. The results showed that C. voga consumed detritus, zoobenthos and zoo- plankton (95.77 %, 4.11 % and 0.12 % of total ash free dry mass ingested, respectively). Benthic invertebrates were the most abundant organisms ingested, representing 93 % of the total biomass. In particular, Leydigia louisi, ostracods and harpacticoid copepods contributed most in abundance and biomass. Pelagic prey, represented mainly by Bosmina (Neobosmina) huaronensis, constituted 7 % of the total biomass consumed by fish. Prey availability was determined in the open and littoral areas and in the lake bottom. C. voga showed a selectivity for crustaceans from the lake bottom. This evidence and the high consumption of detritus indicate that C. voga is exploiting the benthic food web. Thus, this fish can be considered a detritivorous species. This strategy seems suitable in turbid lakes (20 - 30 cm Secchi disc depth) where prey detection for visual predators is constrained. Moreover, as C. voga attains a high biomass in warm temperate eutrophic shallow lakes of South America, it might be contributing to the linkage of benthic and pelagic pathways, and detritus and benthic invertebrates may provide a subsidy for the pelagic food web.

Fish assemblage changes along a trophic gradient induced by agricultural activities (Santa Lucía, Uruguay)

The input of nutrients into rivers and other aquatic ecosystems is one of the most common causes of damage to the integrity of the ecosystem. The use of biological communities for water quality assessment is a common and effective practice. Among these biological indicators, the fish community is one of the most used in monitoring programs and ecosystems studies and so there is much knowledge about their response to the process of eutrophication. In this study we analyzed the fish composition, diversity and evenness in fourteen reaches, of low stream orders within a basin with differing land use intensity.The structure of the fish community was related with physiochemical water composition by canonical correspondence analysis, which enabled us to group the fish species according to their specific tolerance to eutrophication. Oligotrophic habitats were characterized by a higher evenness, larger individuals, a fish composition of at least 40% of sensitive species (Crenicichla scotti, Gymnogeophagus gymnogenis, Gymnogeophagus sp., Heptapterus mustelinus, Hoplias malabaricus and Rhineloricaria sp.) and less than 20% of very tolerant ones (Astyanax fasciatus, Cnesterodon decenmaculatus, Corydoras paleatus, Cyphocharax voga, Hisonotus sp., Pimelodella australis). Eutrophic reaches showed the opposite community features and a fish composition with more than 40% of very tolerant species and less than 20% of sensitive ones. Among the fourteen study reaches, four were classified as oligotrophic, six as mesotrophic and four as eutrophic.

B microchromosomes in the family Curimatidae (Characiformes): mitotic and meiotic behavior

In the present work, six curimatid species were analyzed: Cyphocharax voga (Hensel, 1870), Cyphocharax spilotus (Vari, 1987), Cyphocharax saladensis (Meinken, 1933), Cyphocharax modestus (Fernández-Yépez, 1948), Steindachnerina biornata (Braga & Azpelicueta, 1987) and Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernández-Yépez, 1948) collected from two hydrographic basins. All samples presented 2n=54 meta-submetacentric (m-sm) chromosomes and FN equal to 108, and 1 or 2 B microchromosomes in the mitotic and meiotic cells of the six sampled populations showing inter-and intraindividual variation. The analysis of the meiotic cells in Cyphocharax saladensis, Cyphocharax spilotus, and Cyphocharax voga showed a modal number of 54 chromosomes in the spermatogonial metaphases and 27 bivalents in the pachytene, diplotene, diakinesis and in metaphase I stages, and 27 chromosomes in metaphase II; in Cyphocharax modestus, Steindachnerina biornata, and Steindachnerina insculpta, spermatogonial metaphases with 54 chromosomes and pachytene and metaphase I with 27 bivalents were observed. The B microchromosome was observed as univalent in the spermatogonial metaphase of Cyphocharax spilotus, in the pachytene stage in the other species, with the exception of Cyphocharax saladensis, and Steindachnerina biornata in metaphase I. New occurrences of the B microchromosome in Cyphocharax voga, Cyphocharax saladensis and Steindachnerina biornata were observed, confirming that the presence of this type of chromosome is a striking characteristic of this group of fish.

Alimentação de Cyphocharax voga (Hensel, 1869) (Characiformes, Curimatidae) no arroio Corrientes, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Feeding of Cyphocharax voga (Hensel, 1869) (Characiformes, Curimatidae) in Corrientes Stream, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The Cyphocharax voga species is distributed from the hydrographic basin of the Paraguay River and lower Paraná up to the coastal hydrographic systems of South America. Corrientes stream sets the boundary between Turuçu and Pelotas counties and has not been a focus of detailed studies so far. The aim of this paper was to study the C. voga feeding process for a better understanding of its diet at the site. Thirty-two specimens were collected between December and March 2005, packed in ice-covered boxes and taken to the laboratory. The diet was analyzed by methods of occurrence frequency and relative frequency; for both males and females, total, average and standard deviation were registered; student’s t-test and the q-square χ2 test were applied for ingested items. A total of 18 feeding categories were identifi ed, including a 100% presence of fi lamentary algae andsediment. The prevalence of these items alongside with microorganisms associated with the feeding process makes this an iliophagous species in this environment. Meaningful differences in feeding between male and female specimens were not found through q-square χ2 test.

Interactive effects of abiotic, hydrological and anthropogenic factors on fish abundance and distribution in natural run‐of‐the‐river shallow lakes

AbstractEcological processes in lowland rivers are mostly dominated by hydrology and its interactions with other environmental factors. Fish–habitat relationships in rivers are also influenced by human impacts.In this study, we describe patterns of abundance and distribution of fish species in a group of natural lowland river lakes along spatial anthropogenic and abiotic gradients when four hydrologically different summers are compared. We also describe the proportion of the total variances in fish species abundances that can be accounted for by selected abiotic (water conductivity), hydrological (water residence time) and human activity‐derived (total phosphorus (TP) concentration and NO3:NH4) variables. Consequently, our main purpose is to explore how abiotic and anthropogenic factors interact to affect fish abundance and distribution together with consistent results across different hydrological conditions. We conclude with a briefly discussion of some management implications.The anthropogenic impacts on water quality, the extreme hydrological variability and the fluctuating abiotic environment affected fish abundance and distribution. Pampa inland silverside Odontesthes bonariensis was benefited from a less human disturbed environment with higher water residence time and total salinity, whereas species as Cyphocharax voga, Parapimelodus valenciennis and Cyprinus carpio found these conditions largely disadvantageous. On the other hand, while most species showed stronger—either negative or positive—response to anthropogenic, hydrological or abiotic factors Oligosarcus jenynsii was only slightly affected.This paper identified the ecological function of a lowland river under its natural flow regime. There are not many opportunities to study unmodified rivers worldwide. Therefore, our findings may help in assessment programmes of fish communities in flow altered and human disturbed aquatic ecosystems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fish community composition, seasonality and abundance in Fortaleza Lagoon, cidreira

The Fortaleza Lagoon belongs to the Southern Tramandaí subsystem, formed by lagoons disposed linearly on the north-south direction (30º 08’S, 50º 13’W). The objective of this study was to describe some aspects related to the composition of the fish community of Fortaleza Lagoon. Samples were collected monthly from November 1998 to October 1999. The specimens were captured at four previously determined points in the lagoon, and classified in five orders, 12 families and 22 species. Cyphocharax voga, Hyphessobrycon luetkenii, Oligosarcus jenynsii, Oligosarcus robustus and Loricariichthys anus were more abundant species. Amongst the sampled species only two could not be characterised as freshwater species: Centropomus sp (marine) and Lycengraulius grossidens (estuarine). The ichthyofauna of the lagoon was predominantly composed by constant species.

Reproductive aspects of Cyphocharax voga (Hensel) from Custódias Lagoon, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Characiformes, Curimatidae)

The aim of this study was to analyse the reproductive period, fecundity and the size of the first gonadal maturation of Cyphocharax voga (Hensel, 1869) of Custodias Lagoon, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specimens (293 males and 247 females) were collected monthly, during the period between October 1994 and September 1995. The reproductive period took place from early winter until the end of spring. The average absolute fecundity was 36608 oocytes. The size of the first gonadal maturation was estimated in 121 and 128 mm for males and females respectively.

Growth ofCyphocharax voga(Hensel, 1869) in Emboaba Lagoon, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyse the growth of Cyphocharax voga in Emboaba lagoon. Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specimens (385 females and 183 males) were collected monthly, between July 1989 and October 1990. The growth curve in total lenght was obtained by the back‐calculation using scale annuli. The growth curve in total weight was obtained from the back‐calculated total length and a weight/length relationship. The values of L8 and W8, obtained for males and females, were 234 mm and 218 g, and 249 mm and 255 g, respectively. Growth occurred in a rapid, allometric positive pattern.