Brycon gouldingi is a species of neotropical fish of socioeconomic and environmental importance in the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin. Genetic studies on this species are still limited, making it difficult to evaluate the population structure and genetic diversity in natural and captive stocks. Here, we aimed to evaluate the transferability of heterologous microsatellite primers in B. gouldingi. A total of 30 primers for eight species were evaluated: Brycon hilarii, Brycon opalinus, Brycon cephalus, Brycon orbignyanus, Prochilodus lineatus, Prochilodus argenteus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, and Colossoma macropomum. The primers that showed the best amplification patterns were applied to 20 specimens of B. gouldingi, and their genetic parameters were assessed. Among the 30 primers, seven showed satisfactory transferability, six of which belonged to the genus Brycon: Bh13 (B. hilarii), BoM5, BoM13 (B. opalinus), Borg9, Borg13, and Borg59 (B. orbignyanus), and one belonged to P. argenteus (Par80). The primers for the other species tested showed non-specificity or monomorphism; and were therefore, excluded from the analyses. The number of alleles ranged between two (Borg13 and Borg59) and three (Bh13, BoM5, BoM13, Borg9 and Par80), with sizes varying between 103 bp (BoM5) and 430 bp (Borg9). Four primers showed evidence of null alleles (BoM13, Borg9, Borg13, and Par80), which could probably be attributed to the respective Hardy-Weinberg deviation. Thus, seven primers were validated for cross-amplification in B. gouldingi, which may be used in future studies involving this species.

Background: Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) is a fish species highly affected by anthropogenic actions such as overfishing, water pollution, and hydroelectric developments. This species is currently considered in danger of extinction. Objective: To analyze the genetic diversity of a natural population (NP) and two captive broodstocks (SA and SB) of B. orbignyanus. Methods: Samples of caudal fins (NP: 24, SA: 30, and SB: 30) were collected. DNA was extracted and amplified for six RAPD primers and four microsatellite loci. Results: Sixty polymorphic fragments and 17 microsatellite alleles were detected. High intrapopulation heterozygosity (NP: 0.692, SA: 0.724, and SB: 0.686) was observed. Thirty-eight fragments and six alleles were shared among NP, SA, and SB. The FIS and Shannon’s Index of diversity revealed a lack of inbreeding within groups. AMOVA analyses and FST indicated very high (NP vs SA and SB) and small (SA vs SB) genetic differentiation, confirmed by genetic distance and identity, number of migrants and a dendrogram, which revealed the formation of two genetic groups. Conclusions: The two marker types showed similar variability. The groups have adequate genetic variability, with high differentiation between NP and SA–SB, and similarity between broodstocks.Key words: aquaculture, Brycon orbignyanus, genetic conservation, microsatellites, RAPD. ResumenAntecedentes: Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) es una especie de pez fuertemente impactada por acciones antrópicas como sobrepesca, contaminación del agua y proyectos hidroeléctricos. Esta especie está considerada en peligro de extinción. Objetivo: Analizar la diversidad genética de una población natural (NP) y de dos lotes de reproductores (SA y SB) de B. orbignyanus en cautiverio. Métodos: Se colectaron 84 muestras de aleta caudal (NP: 24, SA: 30 y SB: 30). El ADN fue extraído y amplificado para seis cebadores RAPD y cuatro loci microsatélites. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 60 fragmentos polimórficos y 17 alelos microsatélites. Se observó alta heterocigosidad intra-poblacional (NP: 0,692; SA: 0,724 y SB: 0,686). Treinta y ocho fragmentos y seis alelos fueron compartidos entre NP, SA y SB. Los valores de FIS e índice de Shannon mostraron ausencia de endogamia entre los grupos. Los análisis de ANOVA y FST indicaron alta (NP vs SA y SB) y pequeña (SA vs SB) diferenciación genética; resultados confirmados por la distancia e identidad genética, número de migrantes y dendograma, evidenciando la formación de dos grupos genéticos. Conclusiones: Los grupos poseen adecuada variabilidad genética, con alta diferenciación entre NP vs SA-SB y similitud entre los lotes de reproductores.Palabras clave: acuicultura, Brycon orbignyanus, conservación genética, microsatélites, RAPD. Resumo Antecedentes: Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) é uma espécie peixe fortemente impactada por ações antrópicas como sobrepesca, poluição e construção de hidrelétricas. Atualmente, essa espécie engloba a lista de peixes que correm perigo de extinção. Objetivo: Analisar a diversidade genética de uma população natural (NP) e de dois estoques de reprodutores em cativeiro (SA e SB) de B. orbignyanus. Métodos: Foram coletadas amostras de nadadeira caudal de 84 indivíduos (NP: 24, SA: 30 e SB: 30). O DNA foi extraido e amplificado para seis primers RAPD e quatro loci microssatélites. Resultados: Foram obtidos 60 fragmentos polimórficos e 17 alelos microssatélites. Foi observada uma alta heterozigosidade intra-populacional (NP: 0,692; SA: 0,724 e SB: 0,686). Trinta e oito fragmentos e seis alelos foram compartilhados entre NP, SA e SB. Os valores de FIS e índice de Shannon demonstraram ausência de endogamia entre os grupos. As análises de AMOVA e FST indicaram alta (NP vs SA e SB) e pequena (SA vs SB) diferenciação genética, resultados confirmados pela distância e identidade genética, número de migrantes e dendrograma, que evidenciaram a formação de dois grupamentos genéticos. Conclusões: Os grupos possuem adequada variabilidade genética, com alta diferenciação entre NP e SA-SB e similaridade entre os estoques de reprodutores.Palabras-chaves: aquicultura, Brycon orbignyanus, conservação genética, microssatélites, RAPD.

The Amazonian fish Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is the most common native species in Brazil. This species has the highest production rate in the Northern region, especially in the State of Rondônia. The genetic evaluation of Tambaqui is an extremely important to increase productivity in fish farms or improve the adaptability in restocking natural populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of three Tambaqui broodstocks in Rondônia, Brazil. Six microsatellite markers were used to analyze a total of 89 breeders collected from three fish farms located in Ji-Paraná (JP), Ouro Preto do Oeste (OP) and Presidente Médici (PM). A total of 37 alleles between 140 and 310 bp were found, including the presence of exclusive and low frequency alleles in the three broodstocks. The average values of observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.404 (PM) to 0.499 (JP). The FIS coefficient values were positive for the three broodstocks, demonstrating a deficit of heterozygotes. The Molecular Variance Analysis (AMOVA) showed greater variation within the stocks than between them. The genetic differentiation was moderate and significant between the stocks, with higher differentiation between JP x PM and lower between OP x PM. The Bayesian analysis designated an optimal value of K = 3 groupings. Although there is moderate genetic diversity between broodstocks, the high FIS indicates a possible decline of diversity in the next generations, and therefore, the incorporation of new breeders is suggested to increase the genetic diversity in the three stocks.

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In recent years, anthropogenic factors such as pollution, overfishing, and construction of hydroelectric plants have significantly impacted natural fish populations. Research focusing on genetically evaluation of these impacts is necessary to objectively target conservation programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Curimba (Prochilodus lineatus), Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), and Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) populations from the Água Vermelha Reservoir, Rio Grande-SP. Microsatellite loci were amplified, producing 56, 24, and 26 alleles for the populations of the three species, respectively. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to ten for P. lineatus, two to five for P. mesopotamicus, and two to four for B. orbignyanus. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) was higher in the P. lineatus population (0.547), relative to the P. mesopotamicus and B. orbignyanus populations (0.473 and 0.527, respectively). The mean values of Ho were lower than the average expected heterozygosity (He) in the three species, being corroborated by the positive inbreeding coefficient (Fis). Deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were found in five, three, and two loci for P. lineatus, P. mesopotamicus, and B. orbignyanus, respectively. Wilcoxon tests revealed recent bottlenecks in the three species, evidenced by a significant excess of heterozygotes (p < 0.05) detected only in the Infinite Allele Model (IAM). In conclusion, adequate genetic variability was observed in the three populations with the presence of heterozygous deficits.

Biomonitoring with the use of benthic macroinvertebrates has been an effective tool used to evaluate water quality in several water bodies. In this context, there are several factors that can act on the structure of macroinvertebrate commuinities, with indications of the influence of aquaculture. Therefore, the present study evaluated the composition of macroinvertebrate populations in two earthen ponds of a fish farm in Londrina-PR. Three collections were carried out: in October of 2015 and February and July of 2016, with the use of artificial biocolectors. The macroinvertebrates were quantified and identified, and diversity indexes were calculated with the data obtained. Higher number of taxa, higher number of individuals and greater diversity and uniformity in macroinvertebrate communities were found in pond 1 (water entrance), due mainly to the presence of taxa tolerant or resistant to organic pollution, which may be related to the higher concentration of nutrients and organic matter in this pond. However, in pond 2 (water outlet), individuals of Polycentropodidae (Trichoptera) were found in all collections, in addition to a low abundance of taxa that would indicate organic enrichment, demonstrating better water quality. Furthermore, greater abundance and diversity were observed in the months with higher level of precipitation. From the perspective of aquaculture, the results found in pond 1 can be used as indicative of greater productive potential, however, the low frequency of taxa typical of clean environments may indicate low oxygen levels.These results demonstrate that the position of the pond relative to the water source in a fish farm can influence the water quality, which can be verified through the structure of the benthic macroinvertebrates communities.

The Amazonian Jundiá (Leiarius marmoratus) (Siluliformes: Pimelodidae) is a species of catfish with social and economic importance in some South American countries such as Brazil and Colombia. Genetic evaluation of this species is limited due to the lack of specific molecular markers, hindering studies on genetic diversity and structure in animals under captive conditions or in natural populations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the transferability of heterologous microsatellite markers in Leiarius marmoratus. Thirty-two heterologous primers were tested in L. marmoratus. The primers that presented the best standards were applied to 20 specimens, and the number of alleles (Na), number of effective alleles (Ne), gene diversity per Locus (GdL) and percentage of amplification failure (Md) were calculated. Eleven primers demonstrated satisfactory transferability patterns, all from the fish of the Pimelodidae family, of which, seven were monomorphic and four polymorphic. The eleven markers presented low percentage of Md (mean was 5.9% samples per locus). Na varied from one to two alleles per locus, revealing low polymorphism in the evaluated samples. The mean Ne and GdL numbers were 1.77 and 0.32, respectively. The transferability of the heterologous microsatellite loci in L. marmoratus was shown to be possible. However, further tests are needed to apply these markers in population genetic studies.

The genusBryconcomprises fish species of significant socioeconomic and biological importance in Brazil. Despite that, the genetic knowledge about these species is scarce, especially regardingBrycon falcatus. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the transferability of heterologous microsatellite primers inB. falcatus for the first time. Heterologous primers obtained from B. opalinus, B. hilarii, B. insignis, B. orbignyanus, B. amazonicus, Prochilodus argenteus, Prochilodus lineatus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, and Colossoma macropomum were evaluated. The primers that showed the best amplification patterns were applied to a sample of 22 individuals and the genetic parameters were calculated. Nine primers displayed satisfactory cross-amplification withB. falcatus: BoM5 (Brycon opalinus); Bh8, Bh13 and Bh16 (B. hilarii); Borg59 (B. orbignyanus); Bag22 (B. amazonicus); Par12 and Par80 (P. argenteus), and Cm1A8 (C. macropomum). The genetic parameters (number of alleles, effective alleles, allele richness, and expected and observed heterozygosity) and the polymorphic information content (PIC) confirmed the viability of these primers for population genetics analyses. Our study demonstrates the potential of transferability of microsatellite markers from related species and even different genera to B. falcatus, providing usefull tools for future population genetic studies in this species.