Ivinhema River Basin Research Articles

Assessment of genotoxicity biomarkers in neotropical fish species from streams of the Ivinhema River basin located in sugarcane cultivation areas

The Ivinhema River basin has experienced the greatest expansion of sugarcane cultivation in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Theassessment of water quality through physical and chemical parameters and ecotoxicological studies, employing both bioindicators collected in situ and laboratory tests, provides more robust results for this region. In this context, the objective of this study was to analyze the composition and structure of the landscape around the sampling sites located in three streams (Vitória, Rosário, and Piravevê) belonging to the Ivinhema River basin to evaluate the impacts of sugarcane cultivation expansion on water quality and genotoxicity biomarkers in situ and ex situ using native fish species. Inthe sampling sites in the Rosário and Vitória streams, sugarcane is the main land use, while in the Piravevê stream, pasture areas represent the main land use. The acidic pH observed in the Vitória and Rosário streams seems to be related to the application of fertilizers and the fertigation in the sugarcane crop. Two species of detritivorous and five of omnivorous fishes were collected. A higher frequency of genotoxic damage was identified in detritivorous fish species. In the genotoxicity tests with Astyanax lacustris, the most frequent nuclear alteration induced by the water samples from all sampling sites was nuclear invagination. Our results indicated that the expansion of the sugarcane ridge in the Ivinhema River basin may cause negative impacts on the aquatic environment and native biota. These results contribute to the generation of data and information that can be used for public hearing requests that aim to discuss and review many aspects of legislation regarding agricultural activities around streams, as well as the need for restoration and management programs in these areas in order to conserve biodiversity.

A streamflow regionalization method using hydrological data and geoprocessing tools—a Brazilian midwest analysis

The efficient management of water resources depends on knowledge of the flows of the entire hydrographic basin. However, in most cases, basins have an insufficient monitoring network and flow measurement system, which can compromise the application of the grant instrument and cause damage to the environment and users. Therefore, it is necessary to develop hydrological models that provide information on the minimum flows in all water courses of the planning unit. Thus, this study aimed to propose a method to regionalize flows in areas with limited monitoring using hydrological data and geoprocessing tools. The Ivinhema River Basin, located in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, was adopted as the study area. The models were developed based on the correlation of physical and environmental variables, which was evaluated by the relative error and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient. Finally, the flow Q95 was spatialized, generating an accumulated flow map with the application of the selected model, and the corresponding Q95 was obtained for each stretch of the watercourse. The developed method provides relevant results and can be applied to various hydrographic basins.

Evaluation of Water Quality in Streams Under Strong Influence of Sugarcane Cultivation Using the Allium cepa Test

The Ivinhema River Basin is affected by the expansion of sugarcane cultivation areas, which impacts the water quality of its streams. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential of water samples from three streams of the Ivinhema River Basin using the Allium cepa test. Sampling was conducted in March 2017. Surface water samples collected from the Piravevê, Vitória, and Rosário streams induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in A. cepa. Reductions in both germination and cell division were observed, which may have been related to the flow of toxic residues from the sugarcane monoculture into the stream’s waters. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop restoration projects aimed at conserving the water quality and biodiversity in these aquatic environments.

Natural fertility and intrinsic fragility of soils in the Brazilian Cerrado

This study aimed to evaluate the attributes of natural fertility and intrinsic fragility of the soils of Ivinhema River Basin (BHI), to subsidize agricultural development projects and environmental control and monitoring bodies. For this purpose, 62 soil samples were collected, at a depth of 0 to 20 cm, in areas of native vegetation belonging to the state of Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil. The characteristic climate of the study area is of the humid mesothermal subtype (Cfa) without drought. The predominant vegetation is of the Cerrado type and the geological substrate is predominantly composed of the Serra Geral and Caiuá Formation. The samples were air-dried and the physical attributes (sand, silt, and clay) and chemical variables (pH H2O, CaCl2, KCl, ∆pH, Al3+, m%, H + Al, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, CEC, SB, V%, OC, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were determined according to methodologies in Embrapa's soil analysis methods manual. The data obtained were evaluated by descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. The results showed a great variety of soils inside the basin, whose natural fertility was high for the Leptsol, Regosol, and Nitisol soils, and low for the Argiluvic Plinthosol, Petroplinthic Plinthosol, and Planosol soils. The sandy soils showed lower levels of organic carbon and negative surface loads, which shows less capacity to retain cations essential to plant nutrition and less retention of environmental contaminants if any. Regarding the textural fragility of the soils of BHI, it was possible to verify the high sensitivity of the soil to erosion and susceptibility to the contamination of groundwater or infiltrated water. The data shown in research can fill the gaps of knowledge and/or for adapting conservation practices of agricultural soils that are more susceptible to erosive processes, as well as for environmental control and monitoring bodies and/or studies of area recovery and maintenance of soil fertility.

Intraspecific discrimination of fish populations by fluorescence spectroscopy

This study used the visible fluorescence signal of scales from Astyanax lacustris fishes to differentiate ten populations of streams in Ivinhema River Basin, Upper Paraná Basin, Brazil. Scales were removed from the humeral region of each fish and the fluorescence spectroscopy was carried out with two excitation wavelengths: at 360 nm (UV-A) and 405 nm. The broad emission covers all visible regions and it is related to the organic fraction of scale, basically composed from type I collagen. By interpreting the experimental fluorescence spectra with multivariate statistical analysis, it was possible to discriminate the investigated populations. By exciting the inner face of scales at 405 nm, for instance, the obtained Wilk’s lambda was 0.143, and the ten sampled streams could be statistically differentiated with 85.2% of explanation. This fluorescence interpretation exhibits very good correlation with the diet composition, which was also investigated for the same fishes from which the scales were removed. The applied methodology was capable to analyze the scales of A. lacustris, and to provide meaningful and enlightening results for the differentiation of populations. This methodology is very important for aquatic environmental study, mainly because small fishes, non-migratory or with small migration rate, can exhibit differences among habitats, as response to genetic isolation and adjustment to local conditions.

Seasonality and criteria for concession of water in the Ivinhema basin

Global demand for water has been increasing per year due to population growth, economic development, and changes in consumption patterns, among other factors. This increase in water demand is expected to continue in the next decades. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of different criteria to grant the use of water from the Ivinhema river basin, Brazil. Monthly periods were compared to annual periods to calculate the reference flows Q7,10 and Q95. The relative differences in water availability using different reference flow rates for water concession were quantified. The replacement of the annual criteria (standard in Brazil) for water concession by 50% of monthly Q7,10 and 70% of monthly Q95 can potentially increase the use and improve the management of water resources. The best criteria to award grants is the monthly Q7,10, which despite being more restrictive, it allows higher flow rates when there is excess water, and lower rates in the months of low water availability.

Práticas de extensão na olericultura orgânica em Dourados-MS

A extensão rural como ferramenta de transformação econômica e social contribui com a melhoria dos sistemas de produção agropecuária por meio das ações de incentivo à sustentabilidade das comunidades no campo. O desenvolvimento de projetos para aplicação prática da extensão fortalece os vínculos entre a universidade e a comunidade rural, além de beneficiar ambos com rica troca de conhecimento e experiências. Nesse sentido, este trabalho objetivou organizar um evento de extensão a partir das demandas levantadas nas propriedades rurais dos associados da Agrovargas – Associação de Produtores de Vila Vargas, em Dourados-MS. Ferramentas do diagnóstico rural participativo – DRP foram aplicadas em duas propriedades com foco na produção orgânica de hortaliças para, em seguidas, definir-se os temas abordados em um dia de campo. Na prática, demonstrou-se o preparo de caldas visando ao controle fitossanitário em sistemas orgânicos e a técnica da compostagem, tanto caseira como em leiras. Adicionalmente, foram apresentadas aos produtores opções de cultivos não convencionais que agregam valor ao seu sistema de produção, quais sejam a araruta, o gengibre, a ora-pro-nobis, açafrão e o taro. A difusão dos conteúdos explorados na ação de extensão gerou impacto positivo na comunidade. Nesse sentido, percebe-se que as ações que integram o ensino e a extensão contribuem sobremaneira para a melhoria do sistema de produção orgânica de hortaliças no âmbito da agricultura familiar.

Life-history traits of Farlowella hahni (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) in streams of the Ivinhema River Basin, Upper Paraná Basin

Brazilian laws allow the catch of some species as ornamental fish; however, in the absence of biological information, such catch can threaten species conservation. Therefore, this study aimed to offer population and reproductive information about Farlowella hahni in streams of the Ivinhema River Basin, Upper Paraná Basin. To accomplish this, a total of 165 F. hahni individuals were analyzed, including 109 females and 48 males, resulting in an important sex ratio difference from 1:1 (χ 2=19.97; p<0.001), indicating a predominance of females throughout the year. Females reach higher standard length than males. Males presented isometric Length-Weight Relationships, while females have positive allometric growth. Gonadosomatic index presented higher values from October through December. The mean fecundity was 100.3±36.4 of vitellogenic oocytes and was positively correlated with standard length (r=0.51; p=0.01). The data presented herein are the first for this species and suggest a need to carefully manage the F. hahni population, considering its low abundance and fecundity.

Ichthyofauna of lotic environments in the Ivinhema river basin, upper Paraná river, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

Abstract: In order to inventory the species richness and fish fauna composition along the Ivinhema river basin, 232 stretches of rivers and streams were sampled from 2000 to 2018, using a rectangular sieve, trawls, gillnets, cast nets, and electrofishing. A total of 141 species was caught in the basin, including seven orders and 35 families. For the recorded species, 42 are from the upper Paraná river, 51 from lower Paraná river, 27 from other basins, two from other continents, and the origin for 19 species are unknown/not reported. Six species are registred for the first time in the upper Paraná river basin: Astyanax abramis, Moenkhausia oligolepis, Serrapinnus kriegi, Curimatopsis myersi, Pyxiloricaria menezesi, and Cichlasoma dimerus. This is the first complete survey of the ichthyofauna in lotic environments along the whole Ivinhema river basin, containing relevant information for comparing studies and serving as reference data that can contribute to the management and implementation of politics for conservation of the basin. This survey also increases 24 species on the list of the most complete inventory in the upper Paraná river published in 2007.

Functional and phylogenetic dimensions are more important than the taxonomic dimension for capturing variation in stream fish communities

AbstractBiodiversity is inherently multidimensional in nature, differences in evolutionary history, attributes of species, taxonomic composition constitutes a small fraction of whole variation present in this multidimensional space. Despite its multidimensional characteristic, biodiversity has been traditionally measured by assessing its dimensions separately through metrics of diversity. However, assessing multiple dimensions in a common framework opens the possibility of answering interesting questions that, until now, are poorly understood, such as: What dimensions capture most of the variation present in biodiversity among communities? We assess this question by extending the framework of Importance Values (IVs) to three dimensions of variation in biodiversity, functional, taxonomic and phylogenetic, and evaluate which of these captures the most variation in biodiversity space. To address this question we used data from stream fish communities of the Ivinhema River Basin in Brazil. We found that functional and phylogenetic dimensions are more important than the taxonomic dimension (represented by richness) in capturing variation in the biodiversity space formed by these three dimensions together. Furthermore, the IVs of these three dimensions were similar along an altitudinal gradient, indicating similar contributions by a given dimension in different environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach when describing biodiversity, since richness (the proxy for taxonomic dimension), despite being the most commonly used, is an incomplete surrogate to capture the variation present in the biodiversity space of stream fish communities.

Estrutura populacional e aspectos reprodutivos de Corydoras aeneus (Siluriformes, Callichthyidae) em riachos da bacia do rio Ivinhema, Alto rio Paraná

RESUMO Apesar do crescente número de estudos sobre biologia de espécies de peixes de pequeno porte, o conhecimento dos aspectos básicos da biologia da maioria das espécies ainda é incipiente. Com isso, o objetivo desse estudo foi descrever alguns aspectos populacionais e reprodutivos de Corydoras aeneus (Gill, 1858) em riachos da bacia do rio Ivinhema, Alto rio Paraná. As amostragens foram realizadas entre 2008 e 2011 em 57 riachos distribuídos na bacia. Foram analisados 684 indivíduos, sendo 213 fêmeas e 190 machos, além de 281 exemplares analisados apenas quanto aos dados de comprimento padrão. O comprimento padrão máximo da população analisada foi de 50,19 mm para as fêmeas e de 45,24 mm para machos; Desta forma, as fêmeas foram maiores que os machos. A proporção sexual foi de 52,7% para fêmeas e de 47,1% para os machos, sem variação significativa entre os sexos (Χ2= 1,313; p = 0,252). Quanto à relação peso/comprimento ambos os sexos apresentaram a crescimento isométrico. As maiores frequências de fêmeas maduras foram observadas nos meses de outubro a dezembro, embora tenham sido observadas fêmeas maduras em outros meses do ano. Estimou-se que 50% das fêmeas estão sexualmente maduras com 33,54 mm de comprimento padrão. A fecundidade média foi estimada em 359,47 oócitos, sendo que a população apresenta desova total. O padrão de recrutamento não apresentou um padrão unimodal, embora a maior intensidade tenha sido observada nos meses de outubro a dezembro. O comprimento assintótico foi estimado em 54,59 mm e a taxa de crescimento de 1,1 ano-1. O índice de performance de crescimento foi estimado em 3,51; a longevidade de 2,72 anos e a mortalidade de 1,48 ano-1.

Mammals of medium and large size from a fragmented seasonal forest landscape in Mato Grosso do Sul state, central-western Brazil

The southern cone of Mato Grosso do Sul state is poorly known in terms of mammal community composition. This information is very important to propose an environmental management plan. The present study provides information on the composition of medium and large size mammals in the municipality of Batayporã, in the Ivinhema river basin, southwestern Brazil. The mammal community was sampled during 19 field sampling occasions by the identification of vestiges, such as burrows, feces, vocalization and tracks, as well as through direct observations. I recorded 24 mammal species distributed in eight taxonomic orders. Thirteen species were frequently recorded, six species were rarely recorded, and six species are considered threatened in Brazil or in global level. The area presents almost half of the medium and large-sized mammal fauna from Mato Grosso do Sul state, but fragmentation and sugarcane plantations may represent a threat to the local biodiversity conservation.

&lt;b&gt;Influence of environmental integrity on the reproductive biology of &lt;i&gt;Astyanax altiparanae&lt;/i&gt; Garutti &amp; Britski, 2000 in the Ivinhema river basin

This study aimed at analyzing the influence of different levels of environmental integrity of streams of the Ivinhema river basin (Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil) on the diet of A. altiparanae. Samplings were performed from July 2001 to November 2011 at 101 sites, using sieves, seining and gill nets, and electrofishing. Streams were classified into three levels of environmental integrity. We analyzed 664 stomachs with the methods of frequency of occurrence and volumetric analysis index, combined in the Importance Index (AI). The species was omnivorous, with predominance of allochthonous resources. At the least impacted sites, the most representative resource was allochthonous plant material; and in the altered sites in the rainy period the most consumed item was allochthonous arthropods. On the other hand, at the most impacted sites in the dry period there was a lower consumption of allochthonous plant material and allochthonous arthropods, compared with other levels of environmental integrity considered, with higher consumption of autochthonous arthropods. The results evidenced that in the least impacted sites there was greater contribution from allochthonous resources, probably because these environments show a more preserved riparian forest.

&lt;b&gt;Influence of environmental integrity on the feeding biology of &lt;i&gt;Astyanax altiparanae&lt;/i&gt; (Garutti &amp; Britski, 2000) in the Ivinhema river basin&lt;/b&gt; - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v35i4.19497

This study aimed at analyzing the influence of different levels of environmental integrity of streams of the Ivinhema river basin (Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil) on the diet of A. altiparanae. Samplings were performed from July 2001 to November 2011 at 101 sites, using sieves, seining and gill nets, and electrofishing. Streams were classified into three levels of environmental integrity. We analyzed 664 stomachs with the methods of frequency of occurrence and volumetric analysis index, combined in the Importance Index (AI). The species was omnivorous, with predominance of allochthonous resources. At the least impacted sites, the most representative resource was allochthonous plant material; and in the altered sites in the rainy period the most consumed item was allochthonous arthropods. On the other hand, at the most impacted sites in the dry period there was a lower consumption of allochthonous plant material and allochthonous arthropods, compared with other levels of environmental integrity considered, with higher consumption of autochthonous arthropods. The results evidenced that in the least impacted sites there was greater contribution from allochthonous resources, probably because these environments show a more preserved riparian forest.

Influence of local and landscape characteristics on the distribution and diversity of fish assemblages of streams in the Ivinhema River basin, Upper Paraná River

OBJECTIVES: Among the most relevant issues in community ecology is the influence of different ways of addressing the pattern of diversity and distribution of species, and based on this, the present study sought to evaluate the influence of landscape and local characteristics on the richness and composition of fish assemblages in the Ivinhema River basin. METHOD: In the present study, we used data of distribution of fish species in 25 stretches of streams of the Ivinhema River basin, Upper Paraná River, aiming to know the role of local characteristics and land use on fish assemblages. RESULTS: We identified 113 fish species, and those sampled in a greater number of sites were: Astyanax altiparanae and Serrapinnus notomelas. The richness varied between 4 and 65 species. The regression tree allowed explaining 89.3% of richness variation, and permitted to identify that altitude is the main predictor of richness. According to the canonical correspondence analysis, variables that most influenced the species distribution were: altitude, depth, width, velocity, conductivity and percentage of built-up areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that factors that most influenced fish assemblages in the Ivinhema River basin were physiographic and limnological characteristics, followed by land use.

Spatial and temporal variation in population structure of Hemigrammus marginatus (Characiformes: Characidae) in streams of the Ivinhema River Basin, Brazil

The present study has assessed spatial and temporal variations in the length structure of Hemigrammus marginatus Ellis, 1911 and estimated growth parameters for the species. Sampling was carried out in five streams in the Vitoria and Piraveve sub-basins of the Ivinhema River from January to December 2002. A total of 933 specimens of H. marginatus were caught (97 in the Vitoria sub-basin and 836 in the Piraveve sub-basin). Mean length of the individuals caught in the Piraveve sub-basin was shorter (21.58 mm, SD = 4.67) than that of individuals caught in the Vitoria sub-basin (29.24 mm, SD = 4.42). Analysis of condition factor calculated from the weight/length relationship revealed that the values were constant both spatially (between sub-basins) and temporally (throughout the year). In the Piraveve sub-basin, the theoretical maximal length estimated for this species was 37.26 mm, with natural mortality rate of 1.22 year1, growth rate (k) of 0.66 year-1, and growth performance index (w) of 3.80 and 4.25 years of longevity. The input of new individuals in the population occurs twice per year, with greater recruitment at the peak of the rainy season (May) and the peak of the dry season (August).

Patterns of species richness and composition of fish assemblages in streams of the Ivinhema River basin, Upper Paraná River

AIM: The present study analyzed the spatial variation in fish species richness and composition in streams of the Ivinhema River basin, Upper Paraná basin, determining the relationship between local and regional descriptors of the fish assemblage organization; METHOD: From 2001 to 2011 we sampled 200 stream stretches, using different sampling methods. Local species richness and composition were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods to detect patterns of variation in the fish assemblage organization; RESULTS: We identified 111 fish species in the streams, and estimated the occurrence of 117 fish species (CIα0.05 = 111 to 123) with lower species richness in headwater streams compared to the lower parts of the basin. The fish species recorded were predominantly of small size, and the mean size increased from the headwaters to the river mouth. The four most common species are widely distributed in the basin. However, 24 species are allocthonous to the Upper Paraná basin, and two species (Chaetobranchopsis australis and Apistogramma commbrae) are recorded here for the first time in the Upper Paraná basin. Altitude was the main determinant of local fish species richness and composition, and a discontinuity in assemblage organization (richness, composition, fish size) was detected at approximately 430 m a.s.l.; CONCLUSION: Streams of the Ivinhema River basin are inhabited mainly by small-sized fishes; and longitudinal variation, interacting with local characteristics, determines the fish assemblage patterns.

Fish, lower Ivinhema River basin streams, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The Ivinhema River basin is one of the main tributaries of the western portion of Paraná River. However,few data are available on the fish communities of its streams. Monthly samples were made in seven streams of the lower portion of the basin, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, using a rectangular sieve 1.2 x 0.8 m, with 2 mm mesh size. Forty-six fish species were found in these streams. The richness estimated according to the bootstrap procedure was 50 species. At least two of the captured species were not previously recorded for the upper Paraná basin, indicating the need of new sampling effort in this region.

Relações entre fatores ambientais e a distribuição de ovos e larvas de peixes na sub-bacia do rio Ivinhema, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

The spatial and temporal distribution of fish eggs and larvae in the Ivinhema River Basin was analyzed. The aim was to determine the spawning areas and their relationship to environmental factors. Monthly collections were done from September, 1994, to February, 1995, in four sites: one in the Ivinhema River and three in different tributaries. Conic-cylindrical plankton net with 0.5 mm, coupled with a flow meter was used, and the samples were preserved in formol 4%. The abundance was standardized for 10 m3. Data related to water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity, and rainfall were also collected. Principal Components Analysis determined the correlation between the environmental variables and the ichthyoplankton density along each river stretch. 23,325 eggs and 16,012 larvae were collected. The density was higher during the rainy period. The spawning period coincided with high precipitation level and temperature (October to December), with higher densities on the collect stations of Dourados and Vacaria rivers, with relatively basic pH and low electric conductivity.