Survey of fish species from plateau streams of the Miranda River Basin in the Upper Paraguay River Region, Brazil

Integrative taxonomy reveals disjunct distribution and first record of Hoplias misionera (Characiformes: Erythrinidae) in the Amazon River basin: morphological, DNA barcoding and cytogenetic considerations

Abstract The Hoplias malabaricus group encompasses six valid species and still is believed to harbors cryptic diversity. In this work, an integrative approach including morphological, DNA barcoding, and cytogenetic considerations was conducted to characterize a population of H. malabaricus from the Amazon basin that was recently allocated in the same mitochondrial lineage with H. misionera, a species originally described from La Plata basin. The DNA barcoding analysis revealed that the Amazon population nested together with H. misionera specimens from the La Plata basin (BIN AAB1732) in the same cluster. The intragroup distance (0.5%) was 12 times lower than the nearest neighbor (6%) distance. The morphometric analysis demonstrated slightly variation between Amazon and La Plata populations, being the former composed by larger specimens. Further morphological data supported the molecular evidence of H. misionera inhabiting Amazon basin. The karyotype characterization of H. misionera in the Amazon population showed 2n=40 and karyotypic formulae 20m+20sm, that added to C-banding, Ag-NOR and 18S results are suggestive of the similarity to karyomorph C of H. malabaricus. This work reveals the first record of H. misionera outside of La Plata basin and expands the species distribution for 2500 km northward until the Marajó Island, estuary of Amazonas River.

A new species of miniature Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the upper Rio Paraguay basin, Mato Grosso state, Brazil

A new miniature species of Characidium is described from the upper Rio Paraguay basin, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a dark-brown humeral blotch, vertically elongated (spanning 5 to 7 horizontal scale rows), with the shape of an upside-down acute triangle. Additionally, it can be diagnosed by a short lateral line (6 to 8 perforated scales), the absence of a conspicuous peduncular blotch, a lower number of principal caudal-fin rays (14-16) and by absence of the adipose fin. The new species is the smallest species of the genus; the largest specimen was 19.3 mm standard length.

Survey of fish species from the Lower Roosevelt River, Southwestern Amazon basin

Abstract: This study presents an inventory of the ichthyofauna of the lower Roosevelt River sub-basin and its associated tributaries. Fish sampling with fishing nets and measurements of environmental parameters of water occurred in November/2012 (rising water), February/2013 (flooding), May/2013 (falling water) and August/2013 (drought). Depth mean was 8.86 m, water transparency was 0.6 m, conductivity was 22.7 µS.cm-1, pH was 6.59, dissolved oxygen was 7.63 mg.l-1 and temperature was 28°C. The total estimated capture area was 68,829.6 m2 during 2,880 hours. The catch per unit Effort (CPUE) was 0.37 individuals m-2.day-1. Species were spatially aggregated in all sampling points and river water levels. A total of 5,183 individuals distributed in 7 orders, 29 families, 104 genders and 188 species were sampled in this survey. The diversity index was 4.121 and equitability index was 0.789. The Characiforms order was the most abundant with 106 species, followed by Siluriforms with 63 species and Cichliforms with 23 species. The most abundant species was Serrasalmus rhombeus (Linnaeus, 1766) with 327 individuals (5.9%), followed by Chalceus epakros (Cope, 1870) with 309 individuals (5.6%) and Acestrorhynchus microlepis (Schomburgk, 1841) with 250 individuals (4.5%). Trophicity was characterized by omnivorous (28.6%), piscivorous (14.3%), carnivorous (13.8%) and detritivorous (12.8%). According to IBAMA's regulation, 29.25% of captured species presents ornamental potential.

Ichthyofauna of headwater streams from the rio Ribeira de Iguape basin, at the boundaries of the Ponta Grossa Arch, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract: The rio Ribeira de Iguape basin (Paraná State) is highly relevant for the preservation of remnants of the Atlantic Forest. Its high levels of diversity and fish endemism explain the river dynamics promoted by the Ponta Grossa Arch, a geological structure that promotes headwater capture and isolation between the upper rio Paraná drainage, the rio Iguaçu and the rio Ribeira de Iguape. Here, our objective was to provide an unprecedented inventory for headwater streams of the rio Ribeira de Iguape basin at the boundaries of the Ponta Grossa Arch. We found 29 species of fish representing four orders and nine families. Siluriformes was the richest order followed by Characiformes. Nine species presented high abundance of sampled individuals, contributing with 87.8% of the collections. Four species appeared in less than 25% of the sampled sites (occasional), and six species appeared in more than 50% (constant). We identified three non-described species and one non-native (Coptodon rendalli). Two species had their geographical distribution extended and the presence of Astyanax bifasciatus, endemic to the Iguaçu river basin, ratifies recent events of headwater capture between coastal drainages and those that flow into the continent. Studies of biogeographic divisors are necessary to explain the origin and dispersion processes of species in order to direct studies on diversity and preventive management actions. Coptodon rendalli (Tilapia) is an alarming record on the introduction of species in the region.

Ichthyofauna of the Ribeirão Frutal and tributaries, upper Rio Paraná basin, Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract: The Ribeirão Frutal basin is located within the upper Rio Paraná system, in the Frutal municipality, Minas Gerais State, Southeastern Brazil. Until now, there was no complete ichthyological survey published for this small basin. Therefore, here we provided a list of fish species from the Ribeirão Frutal and some of its tributaries. We found 31 species of fishes representing five orders and ten families. We identify a likely undescribed and five non-native species in the Frutal basin. Lastly, we recommend new surveys of fishes in small hydrographic basins within upper Rio Paraná system.