Piquiri River Research Articles

Morphology, flow structure, and sediment transport in the Paraná and Piquiri Rivers confluence, Brazil

Confluences are places of complex interaction of flow and sediments coming from different channels. Studies at large confluences have advanced the understanding of these environments on a larger scale. This study is carried out at the confluence formed by the Paraná and Piquiri rivers in the state of Paraná - Brazil. It characterizes the morphology, flow structure and sediment dispersion for these two channels. The methodology consists of: interpoling bathymetric data; analyze the ADCP data – Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler and quantify the suspended and bottom sediments. ADCP data was processed in VMT software and generated the following information: flow direction, sediments load (bed and suspended) and also used to calculate the moment ratio (Mr), discharge ratio (Qr), flow power (Ω), and specific flow power (ꞷ) in both channels. The results reveal the variation of channel depth, and specific morphological areas for the confluence with a sediment accumulation zone, submerged lateal bar and excavation area. The flow dynamics shows an increase in velocity in the Paraná River downstream of the confluence, and a decrease in the flow velocity of the Piquiri River as it approaches the junction. The confluence has flow stagnation zone, acceleration and shear layer. The concentration of suspended sediment is higher in the Piquiri River, on the other hand the Paraná River presents thicker fractions of bed material.

Spatial and temporal variation of water quality in a watershed in center-west Paraná, Brazil

Abstract Water quality monitoring is an essential strategy for water resources management. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters play an important role in the characterization of water quality. They are helpful tools for the identification of pollution in aquatic ecosystems, being natural sources or because of anthropogenic actions, and contribute to making decisions as well as sustainable development in a hydrographic basin. This study analyzed the water quality variation over a period of 20 years in Piquiri River watershed. Total phosphorus (TP) concentration from affluent rivers was estimated using a linear regression model. The relationship between total nitrogen and TP presented a Person's linear correlation of 0.80, while turbidity and total suspended solids presented a correlation of 0.79. The relationship between the predicted and observed values for turbidity and TP presented r² higher than 0.60. Spatial–temporal variation of water quality in Piquiri River watershed has shown good quality over the years, although unacceptable values for Escherichia coli, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus levels appeared. Most unacceptable values were identified in affluent rivers, suggesting the improvement in the water quality closer to downstream of the Piquiri River. Water quality index also showed good quality water for all stations.

Fish fauna in low-order streams of the Piquiri River, Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil

Abstract The South America ichthyofauna encompasses the highest diversity of the world, however is highly threatened by anthropogenic actions. The fish fauna of nine low-order streams, tributaries of the Piquiri River and impacted by aquaculture, agriculture and urbanization were sampled in the present study. Samplings were done quarterly from December 2017 to September 2018 at three sites in each stream, using a portable electric fishing device in 50-meter segments. A total of 14,507 individuals were collected, belonging to six orders, 20 families, 46 genera, and 70 species. The highest richness and abundance were found for the orders Characiformes and Siluriformes. In this study, nine species that had not been recorded were found, totaling 163 for the basin. In addition, 14 non-native species were captured. The presented list of species contributes to the existing database of ichthyofauna distribution in Neotropical streams, denoting that it is underestimated in the region, mainly in low-order tributaries. The present study reinforces the importance of inventories and monitoring in environments with high biodiversity and sensitive to anthropogenic actions.

Length‐weight relationships for seven endemic fish species from streams of the last two large remaining dam‐free tributaries of the Upper Paraná River Floodplain in the Paraná State, Brazil

This study reports the length-weight relationships (LWR) for seven endemic fish species from streams in the Ivaí (Characidium heirmostigmata, Corydoras lacrimostigmata, Curculionichthys oliveirai, Hisonotus pachysarkos, and Cambeva horacioi) and Ivaí and Piquiri (Apareiodon vladii and Planaltina kaingang) River basins, Paraná State, Brazil. Fish specimens measured and weighed were collected between November 1994 and July 2019, fixed with 10% formalin, and are preserved in 70% alcohol. Measurements were done for standard length (SL—0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW—0.01 g precision). All coefficient of allometry obtained is within the general range for fishes representing useful tentatives for LWR parameters. We highlight the importance of information about the biology of the endemic fish species in a crucial area for the biodiversity conservation of the Upper Paraná River system.

First record of Astyanax bifasciatus Garavello & Sampaio, 2010 (Teleostei, Ostariophysi, Characidae) in the Piquiri river basin, upper Paraná river basin

Astyanax bifasciatus Garavelo & Sampaio, 2010 was originally described as endemic to the Iguaçu river basin. Between March 2017 and January 2018, specimens of A. bifasciatus were sampled during expeditions to headwater streams of the Piquiri river basin, upper Paraná river basin. The identification was confirmed both by morphological and molecular analyses, representing, therefore, the first record of the species outside of the basin of the Iguaçu River. In addition, the lack of structuring in the haplotype network confirms that the representatives of A. bifasciatus from both basins appear to comprise a single population.

First records of non-native species Malaysian prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) in an important South American hydrographic system

Abstract: Aim The objective of this work is to record the occurrence of non-native species Macrobrachiun rosenbergii in water bodies of the Piquiri River basin, State of Paraná, Brazil, an important South American hydrographic system. Methods Samples were obtained from October 2015 to June 2016 and from September 2017 to September 2018, using traps and electric fishing equipment (portable alternating current generator, 2.5 kW, 400 V, 2A) in the Piquiri River and two tributaries. Results 16 M. rosenbergii specimens were caught, 11 females and 5 males. Conclusions Our results indicated the introduction of the species M. rosenbergii into the Piquiri River basin by aquaculture activity. The constant insertion of new specimens by the productive sector may, in the short term, maintain populations with large number of individuals, causing potential damage to the native biodiversity.

USO DO ALGORITMO EXPECTATION-MAXIMIZATION (EM) PARA A ANÁLISE DA VARIABILIDADE PLUVIOMÉTRICA TEMPORAL NA BACIA DO RIO PIQUIRI/ Analysis of the temporary pluviometric variability of the piquiri river basin under the extreme events

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar a distribuição espacial da precipitação pluviométrica e a variabilidade temporal na Bacia do Rio Piquiri, no Estado do Paraná, identificando eventos extremos ocorridos no período de 1982 a 2018. As séries históricas foram adquiridas no sistema de informações hidrológicas Hidroweb. A metodologia utilizada teve como base o processo Knowledge Discovery in Database - KDD. Foram definidas áreas pluviometricamente homogêneas para os períodos de 1982-1994 (Período 1), 1995-2006 (Período 2) e 2007-2018 (Período 3). Constatou-se associação entre a existência de eventos extremos e as características físicas da bacia através da distribuição espacial da precipitação com distintas interações entre os conjuntos de dados analisados ao longo da variabilidade temporal. No sul e sudeste da bacia estudada se concentrou altos volumes de precipitação no decorrer de todos os períodos estudados. Com relação aos menores volumes de precipitação, o Período 1 apresentou o menor valor, porém o Período 3 se destacou dos demais com a maior quantidade de estações classificadas como baixa, e para as máximas altas, o Período 2 ganhou destaque. Diante disso, comprova-se a existência de eventos extremos de precipitação, apontando a alta variabilidade temporal e espacial na bacia ao longo da série, podendo interferir nas atividades econômicas locais.

Small Hydropower Plants in Generation in the Rural Area of the West and Southwest of Paraná State-Brazil

Hydropower generation is the main source of electric energy in Brazil and the West and Southwest of Paraná. Year after year the energy matrix has been diversifying, including new sources, such as wind power. However, due to the power accumulation characteristic of hydropower, this type of source is important for the stability of the electric system. Currently, hydropower corresponds to just over 60% of all power installed in Brazil. Particularly in the West and Southwest region of Paraná, this number increases, and Paraná’s share in the Brazilian matrix is approximately 16% of the installed potential. This compromises the productive areas of these regions by the flood generated by the plants. In order to verify the participation of these regions in the hydropower matrix and its production, a survey was made of the installed potential and the constructive profile of the hydroenergy projects. In addition, the flow and production trend of the Salto Santiago hydropower in the Iguaçu River watershed and the Melissa hydropower in the Piquiri River watershed were verified during the period from 2003 to 2017. Finally, a conceptual map of the western and southwestern regions of Paraná was elaborated with the hydropower generation profile. It was concluded by the survey that the regions of the study have great participation in the hydropower matrix of Brazil and that its production and the flow of the rivers in the entrance of these remains practically unchanged in the studied period.

Update on the ichthyofauna of the Piquiri River basin, Paraná, Brazil: a conservation priority area

Abstract: Knowledge of the fish species in river basins is among the minimum requirements for the management of water and fish resources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to update the fish species composition of the Piquiri River basin, upper Paraná River basin. Data were gathered from recent information published in specialized literature and records for ichthyology collections. This update reports the occurrence of 152 fish species distributed in 8 orders, 31 families, and 89 genera. Non-native species accounted for 20% of all species, and the construction of the Itaipu Power Plant and its fish ladder were the main vectors of introduction. Three percent of the species were endangered, and 11% were classified as migratory. The Piquiri River basin harbors a large number of species, some of which are rare, endangered, migratory, endemic, and even unknown by science. Because of this, maintaining the integrity of this river basin will support the persistence of regional biodiversity.

Ocorrência de espécies de peixes não nativos em um rio Neotropical sob a influência da atividade aquí­­cola

A introdução de espécies não nativas é uma das grandes mudanças globais e uma das principais ameaças a ictiofauna continental. Dessa forma, esse trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a composição e estrutura da ictiofauna do rio Azul, um tributário da margem esquerda da bacia do rio Piquiri, a fim de determinar a ocorrência, abundí­¢ncia e distribuição de espécies de peixes não nativas. Para isso, quatro amostragens foram realizadas de fevereiro a novembro de 2014 em três locais ao longo do rio, por meio do uso de equipamento de pesca elétrica. Durante o perí­­odo amostral, 32 espécies de peixes foram registradas, as quais pertenceram a 20 gêneros, 11 famí­­lias e cinco ordens. Houve o registro de oito espécies de peixes não nativas, dentre elas Gymnotus inaequilabiatus e Oreochromis niloticus estiveram presentes entre as cinco mais abundantes no rio Azul. Desse modo, a ictiofauna do rio Azul seguiu o padrão de distribuição esperado para a região Neotropical, com predominí­¢ncia de Characiformes e Siluriformes. Por outro lado, o aumento de ocorrência de espécies de peixes não nativas, observado da cabeceira para a foz do rio, indica possí­­vel processo de homogeneização biótica, potencialmente intensificado pelo escape de peixes não nativos advindos de pisciculturas.

STREAMFLOW REGIONALIZATION IN PIQUIRI RIVER BASIN

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to regionalize 7-day 10-year low flows, long-term annual mean, and 90% and 95% permanence flows from Piquiri (PR) river basin. The following regionalization methods were adopted: Traditional, Linear interpolation, Chaves, Modified linear interpolation, and Modified Chaves. The equations obtained by the Traditional method, adding main river length or drainage density as independent variables, significantly improved R2 equations value. Streamflow forecasting by Linear Interpolation and Chaves methods were as good as those provided by the Traditional Method, thus, these methods could be applied to Piquiri River basin, especially when drainage area is the only available spatial information.

First records of the European catfish, Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758 in the Americas (Brazil)

The European catfish, Silurus glanis is one of the largest freshwater fish worldwide. Although it originally inhabited rivers of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, this species is spreading within Europe, due to its popularity among anglers and interest in it as a potential species for aquaculture. This species has never been recorded in America until now. In August 2006, in the State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, the local newspaper “Diario Catarinense” reported, with a photograph, the capture of a huge catfish by an amateur fisherman in the Itajai-Acu River, which was identified as S. glanis. In March, 2010, the Laboratory of Ecology, Ichthyology and Fisheries (LEPI) of the Federal University of Parana received another individual of S. glanis that had died in a small pond next to the Piquiri River, in the State of Parana. Our aim is to report these two independent and geographically separate records of S. glanis in South America, as well as highlight our concerns about the illegal transport of aquatic organisms, which is a serious threat to the conservation of natural resources, especially in megadiverse regions such as Brazil.

Fish fauna of headwater streams of Perobas Biological Reserve, a conservation unit in the Atlantic Forest of the Northwestern Paraná state, Brazil

The Perobas Biological Reserve is a Conservation Unit characterized by two physiognomies of the Atlantic Forest: Semideciduous Seasonal Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. The reserve is situated on a ridge watershed between the basins of the Piquiri and Ivaí rivers, Upper Paraná River and had its fish fauna surveyed for the first time. Fishes were collected quarterly from December 2010 to March 2012, using electrofishing in five stretches of 50 m along the four streams, and gillnets only at one site in December, 2010. A total of 2628 individual were collected, belonging to 34 species in 25 genera, 13 families and six orders. Ten taxa may be new species or part of a complex of species within each genus, and requiring more detailed taxonomic revisions. Nine species are the first records for the Piquiri river basin.

Trends in chromosome evolution in the genus Hypostomus Lacépède, 1803 (Osteichthyes, Loricariidae): a new perspective about the correlation between diploid number and chromosomes types

Phylogenetic relationships and identification of species of the genus Hypostomus is still unclear. Considering this, cytogenetics may prove itself as an important tool in understanding the systematic of this genus. Reviews in Hypostomus indicate that the diploid number ranges from 54 to 84 chromosomes, and the increase in diploid number has been associated to higher percentages of subtelocentric and acrocentric chromosomes. Although there is a high number of species in the genus, there are relatively few papers concerning Hypostomus cytogenetics, and most of the data is published as grey literature. With the aim to understand the chromosomal evolution in the genus (correlation between diploid number x chromosomes types), H.ancistroides and H.topavae from the Piquiri River, Upper Parana River basin, were cytogenetically analyzed, and the diploid number observed was 68 and 80 chromosomes, respectively. Additional data on the diploid number and chromosome formulae was compiled from papers (27 analyses) and abstracts from grey literature (77 analyses). Our analysis shows no correlation between chromosome numbers and percentages of subtelocentric and acrocentric chromosomes for most of the species, since there is considerable variation between these percentages even between species with the same diploid number, indicating that the proportion of chromosome types is not always associated to diploid numbers.

Variations in fish assemblages in a tributary of the upper Paraná River, Brazil: A comparison between pre and post‐closure phases of dams

AbstractThis paper purposed to evaluate alterations in fish assemblage (structure and species richness) and variations in the abundance of the most abundant species captured in the Piquiri River, due to the closure of Porto Primavera (in 1998; located upstream the Piquiri River mouth) and the Itaipu (in 1982; located downstream) dams in the upper Paraná River. The effects of selected environmental variables were also determined. Fishes were sampled during four distinct periods. Six samplings were conducted in each period, at two different sites (Campina and Apertado). For sampling, gill and trammel nets were used. Species abundances were indexed by catch per unit of effort. Spatial and temporal changes in environmental variables were summarized by a principal components analysis (PCA). To summarize structure of the assemblage, a nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) was used. To test the significance of between‐group differences at each periods and sites we used a multiresponse permutation procedure (MRPP). To test the association between fish assemblage and the environmental variables matrices, we used procrustean superimposition approach. A total of 2693 individuals were caught, belonging to 69 species, 4 orders and 19 families. Species richness differed spatially; the Campina site had greater mean richness (13) per sampling than the Apertado site (10). The structure of the fish assemblages showed significant temporal and spatial variations, which were more evident in the last period at the Apertado site (after the closure of Porto Primavera Dam). Spatial and temporal changes in structure of fish assemblages were not associated to environmental variables. Temporal changes in abundance, both in number and in weight, of the most abundant species were verified in both sites. The lack of migratory species was highlighted, which sharply decreased in the last studied period, when they were replaced by sedentary species. These findings appear to be related to regional factors, such as the decrease of floods registered in the upper Paraná basin, exacerbated by the control prompted by dams. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Iheringichthys labrosus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) in the Piquiri River, Paraná, Brazil: population structure and some aspects of its reproductive biology

The purpose of this study was to analyze the population structure (spatial and temporal distribution, sex ratio, length distribution and length/weight relationship) and reproductive biology of Iheringichthys labrosus. This species is of importance as fisheries resource in the Paraná River basin. Fish were sampled, bimonthly, with gill and trammel nets at three sampling sites (Campina, Apertado and Altônia), located in the Piquiri River, between November 2002 and September 2003. In this study, 164 individuals were collected; the largest capture occurred in Campina site, with 209.88 individuals/1000 m² of net for 24 hours, while the shift of largest capture was night time (N) and the month was July. Females occurred in larger numbers than males in all periods. The growth was allometric positive and the reproduction period was from the beginning of September to the end of December, with the majority of the individuals showing a standard length between 13.0 and 20.0 cm.

A successful case of biological invasion: the fish Cichla piquiti, an Amazonian species introduced into the Pantanal, Brazil

The 'tucunaré', Cichla piquiti, an exotic Amazonian fish has become established along the left bank of the Paraguay River in the Pantanal. It was introduced by escaping from culture ponds in the Upper Piquiri River and spread downstream, along the lateral flooded areas of that river, continuing through the clear waters of the left bank of the Paraguay River and reaching south as far as the Paraguai Mirim and Negrinho rivers. Adult spawners have been found in the region, meaning that it is a self-sustained population. Reproduction occurs in the period of low waters. They were found feeding on fishes of lentic environments belonging to the families Characidae, Cichlidae and Loricariidae. Until the end of 2004, its distribution was restricted to the left bank of the Paraguay River, but in March 2005, some specimens were found on the right bank, raising a question for the future: what will be the distribution area of the tucunaré in the Pantanal? Information about its dispersion is increasing: it is known to be in the Tuiuiú Lake, Pantanal National Park and in the Bolivian Pantanal, all of them on the right bank of the Paraguay River. The hypothesis that the 'tucunaré' could not cross turbid waters, such as in the Paraguay River, was refuted by these recent findings. Possibly, the tucunaré's capacity to lay more than one batch of eggs in a reproductive period, as well as its care of eggs and young, lead them to establish themselves successfully in new environments, as has been observed in the Pantanal and other localities.

Threatened fishes of the world: Crenicichla jupiaensis Britski & Luengo 1968 (Cichlidae)

Common name: joaninha, joana-listrada. Conservationstatus: Endangered in Brazilian Red List (Rosa andLima 2005). Identification: 14–17 narrow vertical barsalong the flanks; five or six gill rakers in the firstceratobranchial; cheeks partially scaly; suborbital stripemodified into a group of spots; caudal spot as a verticalbar (Britski and Luengo 1968; Graca and Pavanelli2007). Holotype drawing by E. Baena. Distribution:Endemic to the upper Parana River basin, Brazil.Abundance: No published information is available onabundance of C. jupiaensis; however, recent fieldworksin the upper Parana River basin have revealed thatspecies only within the Piquiri River, where localdensities are low. The type-locality of C. jupiaensis,Urubupunga Falls, Parana River, was flooded by JupiaReservoir in 1974. Despite of that fishes have beensurveyed throughout the entire upper Parana River,including the type-locality region, only 77 specimensare archived among Brazilian collections. From those62 were collected before the impoundment in 1974 andonly two after that and before the 13 recently caught inthe Piquiri River. Habitat and ecology: Rapids; in thePiquiri River it has occurred mainly in the littoral zone.Maximum length recorded, 120 mm SL (Graca andPavanelli 2007). Karyotype, 2n=48 (2m+4sm+10st+32a); and FN=64 (Lorscheider et al. 2007). Threats:Decline of Crenicichla jupiaensis populations seems tobe caused primarily by constructions of dams anddestruction of lotic habitats. Other impacts on C.jupiaensis are difficult to assess, because of scantinformation about metapopulation dynamics, biologyand ecology. Conservation actions: Brazilian environ-mental laws prohibit capturing species designated asendangered. Conservation recommendations: Effectivehabitat protection, especially in the Piquiri River basin,and detailed studies of current status, biology and

Invasão da piranha Serrasalmus marginatus Valenciennes, 1847 no alto rio Paraná, Brasil (Osteichthyes, Serrasalmidae)

The building of Itaipu Dam, 150 km downstream from Sete Quedas Falls, resulted in the natural geographical barrier drowning, with subsequent mixing of the fish faunas. Serrasalmus marginatus (Osteichthyes, Serrasalmidae), a species that had been restricted to the river segment downstream from Sete Quedas, invaded the Upper Parana River. The catching of Serrasalmus spilopleura , a resident species, decreased drastically after the invasion, contrary to S. marginatus , which increased in abundance. In the Piquiri River, where the latter species does not occur, the abundance of S. spilopleura remained high, due to the presence of Nha Barbara and Apertado Falls.

Fish, Piquiri River, Upper Paraná River basin, Paraná state, Brazil

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