Fish ladders are generally conceived to reestablish connectivity among critical habitats for migratory species, thus mitigating the impacts of the blockage of migration routes by dams. If this management tool is to be meaningful for conserving fish species, it must provide a fully permeable connection and assure both upward and downward movements. However, because reservoirs have very different hydrodynamics than the original river, it is expected that, at least in the inner area, they may constitute an additional barrier to this movement, especially for descending fish. Thus, the present study sought to determine if migratory fish and their offspring disperse downstream from the dam after ascending a ladder and spawning in the upper reaches of a basin. To achieve this purpose, we evaluated the limitation imposed by lentic areas to the descent of eggs, larvae and adults of migratory species; we also determined the abundance and composition of larvae present in the plankton near the dam, and compared the intensity of the upward and downward movements of adult fish. Samples of ichthyoplankton were taken upriver, inside the reservoir, in the river downstream from the dam, and in the forebay of the Lajeado Dam on the Tocantins River (Luis Eduardo Magalhães Hydroelectric Plant), from October, 1999 through September, 2004. The densities of fish ascending and descending the ladder were determined experimentally on eight occasions, from June, 2004 to March, 2005 Due to difficulties in identifying the true fish origin (up or down) in the environments connected by the fish passage system, the evaluation of the distribution of migratory fish in reservoirs was based on the landings of the commercial fishery conducted along the Itaipu Reservoir during the four years preceding (2001 through 2003) the construction of the lateral channel (fishpassage mechanism). Fish eggs and larvae drifting down the Tocantins River did not appear in samples taken in the lower half of the reservoir; those found in water flowing through the spillways, turbines or fish ladder of Lajeado Dam belonged essentially to non-migratory clupeids that spawn in the inner part of the reservoir. In addition, results showed that in a reservoir with no fish-passage mechanism, migrants select habitats that still maintain riverine characteristics, in the upper parts of the impounded area. The downward movements are negligible compared to those upward, in the experiments conducted in the fish ladder. It is concluded, therefore, that the Lajeado fish ladder, and possibly those at other dams, is essentially a oneway route that promotes upstream movements of migrants, without the necessary return of adults or their offspring. Thus, the low permeability of the connections provided by these management tools can drastically increase the level of environmental impact that they were actually intended to reduce.Escadas de peixes são geralmente concebidas para restabelecer a conectividade entre habitats críticos de espécies migradoras, atenuando os impactos da interceptação...

The present study explored the interaction between the upriver migration of fish and the blockage of their migration routes by dam construction. Specifically, we studied (i) the capacity of migratory fish to locate alternative routes in the presence of an obstacle, and (ii) the behavior of the fish after they were artificially transferred to the reservoir. With the use of the markrecapture technique (tagging), the study was carried out near Porto Primavera Dam (UHE Engenheiro Sérgio Motta) between 1994 and 1999, a period prior to the closure of the floodgates and the installation and operation of the fish pass facilities. The fish were caught in the dam forebay downstream, marked with LEA type tags, and released upstream (5113 individuals; 14 species) and downstream (1491; 12) from the dam. The recaptures were carried out by local professional and amateur fishermen. A total of 188 individuals (2.8%) were recaptured, mostly the curimba Prochilodus lineatus. Nearly half of the recaptures downstream occurred in tributaries, especially in the Paranapanema River, indicating that in the presence of an obstacle the fish are able to locate alternative migration routes. The remainder stayed in the main channel of the Paraná River, at a mean distance of less than 50 km from the release point. Of the fish released upriver from the dam, approximately half were recaptured downriver. Although the river was only partly dammed, the movement of the fish downriver suggests that they became disoriented after being transferred. Those that remained upriver avoided the reservoir and moved, rather rapidly, toward the lotic stretches farther upstream. From these results it is clear that, in the course of the decision process in installing fish passes, it is necessary to take into account the existence of spawning and nursery areas downriver and upriver from the reservoir.O presente estudo visa explorar a interação entre a migração ascendente de peixes e a obstrução de vias migratórias, pela construção de barragens. Especificamente, foi estudada (i) a capacidade de peixes migradores em localizar rotas alternativas na presença de um obstáculo, e (ii) o comportamento dos peixes após serem transpostos artificialmente para o reservatório. Com o uso da técnica de marcação e recaptura, o estudo foi desenvolvido nas imediações da barragem da hidrelétrica de Porto Primavera, entre 1994 e 1999, período anterior à instalação e operação de mecanismos de transposição. Os peixes foram capturados a jusante, nas imediações da barragem, receberam marcas do tipo "LEA" e foram liberados a montante (5113 indivíduos; 14 espécies) e a jusante (1491; 12) da barragem, sendo as recapturas realizadas por pescadores profissionais e amadores da região. No total, foram recapturados 188 indivíduos (2,8%), a maioria de curimba Prochilodus lineatus. Praticamente metade das recapturas de jusante ocorreram em tributários, especialmente no rio Paranapanema, indicando que na presença de um obstáculo os peixes são capazes de localizar rotas alternativas de migração. O res...

This study describes the morphology of the digestive apparatus and the size and organic content of the ingested food of five species of benthic-feeding fishes (Prochilodus lineatus, Steindachnerina insculpta, Loricariichthys platymetopon, Trachydoras paraguayensis e Iheringichthys labrosus). The samples were taken in the floodplain of the up Paraná River in February and August 1991. The results suggested that these species have different mouth, teeth, gill rakers, stomach and intestine length. These morphologic characteristics were related with the type, size and nutritional quality of the food ingested. Although these species feed on the bottom, the morphologic divergences probably explain the differences in diet.Key words: trophic morphology, bottom-feeding, Paraná River. RESUMO Morfologia trófica de cinco espécies de peixes comedoras de bentos de uma planície de inundação tropicalA morfologia do aparelho digestivo e alguns aspectos relacionados ao tamanho e ao conteúdo orgânico do alimento ingerido por cinco espécies de peixes com alimentação bentônica (Prochilodus lineatus, Steindachnerina insculpta, Loricariichthys platymetopon, Trachydoras paraguayensis e Iheringichthys labrosus) estão descritos neste estudo. As amostragens foram realizadas na planície de inundação do alto Rio Paraná em fevereiro e agosto de 1991. Os resultados mostraram que a posição da boca, os dentes, os rastros branquiais, o estômago e o comprimento do intestino diferenciam essas espécies, e que essas características estão relacionadas ao tipo, ao tamanho e ao valor nutricional do alimento ingerido. Assim, embora essas espécies se alimentem no fundo, as divergências morfológicas explicam as diferenças na dieta.Palavras-chave: morfologia trófica, comedores de fundo, Rio Paraná.

Irregular rainfall and pronounced reductions of the hydrometric level in the year 2000 resulted in drastically altered hydrological connectivity of lentic environments in the upper Paraná River floodplain. The objective of the present work was to examine spatial and temporal patterns of fish assemblage attributes and structure in relation to limnological variables associated with hydrological connectivity. Fish were collected quarterly by seining in the marginal areas of 15 lagoons belonging to two biotopic categories (connected and disconnected). Variation in assemblage composition reflected the degree of hydrological connectivity. Values of assemblage attributes (species richness, density and biomass) were significantly lower in connected lagoons than in disconnected lagoons. Significantly higher values of species richness and biomass were recorded in November than in August. Rare species had the greatest effect on observed patterns in fish assemblage ordination (DCA). Observed patterns of variation in assemblage attributes were directly correlated with factors related to hydrological connectivity, such as depth, resources (zooplankton and chlorophyll a) and nutrients (total phosphorus).
A irregularidade das chuvas e as reduções pronunciadas no nível hidrométrico alteraram drasticamente a conectividade hidrológica dos ambientes lênticos da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná em 2000. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo examinar os padrões espaciais e temporais dos atributos e da estrutura das assembléias de peixes em relação a variáveis limnológicas associadas à conectividade hidrológica. Os peixes foram coletados em arrastos trimestrais, na área marginal de 15 lagoas, pertencentes a duas categorias de biótopos (lagoas conectadas e desconectadas). Variações na composição das assembléias refletiram o grau de conectividade hidrológica. Os valores dos atributos das assembléias (riqueza de espécies, densidade e biomassa capturada) foram significativamente menores em lagoas conectadas em relação a lagoas desconectadas. Valores significativamente elevados de riqueza de espécies e biomassa capturada foram registrados em novembro em relação a agosto. Espécies raras tiveram os maiores efeitos nos padrões observados na ordenação das assembléias de peixes (DCA). Padrões observados na variação dos atributos das assembléias foram diretamente correlacionados a fatores relacionados à conectividade hidrológica, como a profundidade, os recursos (zooplâncton e clorofila a) e os nutrientes (fósforo total)

Although dozens of fish ladders have been constructed at dams of Brazilian reservoirs, there are few studies evaluating their efficiency as a tool for the conservation of Neotropical ichthyofauna, especially for migratory species. Therefore, the present study evaluated the selectivity of the species that entered and ascended the fish ladder located next to Lajeado Dam (Luis Eduardo Magalhães Hydroelectric Power Plant) on the Tocantins River. Samples were taken monthly from November, 2002 through October, 2003, in the resting pools of the ladder, using cast nets, and in the downstream stretch, using gillnets. The selectivity of the ladder in attracting fish was evaluated by comparing the occurrence, relative abundance, dominance and the congruence of abundance ranks of migratory and non-migratory species in the ladder and in the stretch of river immediately downstream. Species richness and fish abundance in the resting pools were used to evaluate selectivity along the ladder. The effects on selectivity by temporal variations in water level downriver and maximum flow velocity in the fish ladder were also analyzed. Out of the 130 species recorded downriver, 62.3% were caught in the ladder, and migratory species were clearly favored. However, more than 2/3 of the catch belonged to only three species (Rhaphiodon vulpinus, Psectrogaster amazonica and Oxydoras niger). Although the majority of the species that entered the ladder were able to reach its top, there was a sharp reduction in abundance of individuals towards the top. Temporal variations in the water level below the dam influenced richness and abundance of fish concentrated downstream and in the ladder, with lower values during periods of low water. In the ladder, a maximum flow velocity of 2.3 m/s, although also selective, proved to be more appropriate for fish ascension than a velocity of 2.8 m/s. It was concluded that the entry and ascension of the fish in the ladder were not congruent with their proportions in the downriver stretch: fish samples in the ladder were clearly dominated by a few species, including some that do not need to be translocated. Thus, selectivity constitutes an important bottleneck to initiatives for translocating fish aimed at conserving their stocks or biodiversity. It is urgent to review the decision-making process for the construction of fish passages and to evaluate the functioning of those already operating.Dezenas de escadas de peixes foram construídas em barragens de reservatórios brasileiros, mas são raros os estudos acerca de suas eficiências como instrumentos de conservação da ictiofauna Neotropical, em especial de espécies migradoras. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a seletividade específica no ingresso e ascensão de peixes na escada localizada junto à barragem de Lajeado (UHE Luis Eduardo Magalhães, rio Tocantins). Amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente de novembro de 2002 a outubro de 2003 nos tanques de descanso da escada, utilizando tarrafas, e no trecho a jusante, utilizando redes de es...

ABSTRACT. Fish species introduction by accidental escape from aquaculture in the high Paraná River Basin. Species composition and abundance of fishes that escaped from aquaculture facilities during catastrophic flooding in the Paranapanema and Tibagi rivers, in January, 1997 was estimated. ln ali, 1,292,000 adult individuais belonging to II species and I hybrid, were introduced into these rivers; only one species was native . The disaster is attributed to the illegal occupation ofthe river banks, and the non observance of standard measures designed to avoid escapement. KEY WORDS . Species introduction, Tibagi river, Paranapanema, river A piscicultura é considerada o principal meio de dispersão de espectes exóticas em novos ambientes (WELCOMME 1988; AGOSTINHO & JULIO 1996). Os escapes com a água efluente, o esvaziamento dos tanques durante o manejo e, principalmente, o rompimento ou transbordamento desses em razão de picos de cheias não previstos durante a construção, são as principais vias de introdução de espécies exóticas pelas atividades de cultivo. Nesse contexto contribui a prática comum da piscicultura brasileira em estabelecer seus cultivos nas proximidades dos rios, dentro da área de preservação permanente, e, portanto, sujeita a alagamentos nos anos de grandes cheias. Uma forma recente de comercialização e lazer, os chamados "pesque e pague", embora ainda não avaliados, devem se constituir em importantes riscos adicionais de disseminação de espécies exóticas (peixes e doenças) .Visando dimensionar os escapes de peixes dos sistemas de cultivo para os cursos de água da bacia do rio Paranapanema em anos de grandes cheias, foi realizado um levantamento em 38 propriedades rurais privadas com atividade aquícola, sendo a grande maioria propriedades de produção para a revenda (31) e poucos pesque-pague (7) (sub-bacias do médio e baixo Tibagi, baixo Cinzas e parte do Paranapanema, figura I), em áreas atingidas pelas cheias de janeiro e fevereiro de 1997.

Brazil has a variety of aquatic ecosystems and rich freshwater biodiversity, but these components have been constantly damaged by the expansion of unsustainable activities. An array of different conservation strategies is needed, especially the creation of protected areas (PAs, hereafter). However, Brazil's PAs are biased towards terrestrial ecosystems and we argue that current PAs have limited efficacy in the protection of freshwater biodiversity. New PAs should better consider aquatic environments, covering entire basins, rivers and other freshwater habitats. We recommend ways to implement these PAs and provide guidance to avoid social impacts. Freshwater systems in Brazil provide essential goods and services but these ecosystems are being rapidly degraded and will be lost if not adequately protected.

Flood intensity was a main factor determining access to the riparian/floodplain ecotonal resources of the upper Parana River, Brazil, and in consequence determining yield of the dominant trophic groups, which are fish feeding on flooded grasslands and on riparian fruits and leaves. Prey and predator density both declined in years of low floods, and predators did not recover until the next year of high flood, more slowly than in the case prey fish, most probably due to differences in life cycle length. The life cycle of one of the most importa.nt species, Curimba (Prochilodus lineatus -Characidae) depends on access to the floodplain lagoons and return to the reservoir after maturation for intensive growth. The riparian/floodplain habitat complexity and connectivity has great significance for fish community dynamics and fisheries yield. and may serve a reason to create a national park in the last floodplain section of the upper Parana River.