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ABSTRACT. Streams are very important environments for Neotropical freshwater fish fauna, and possess a high number of species. These small drainages are also highlighted by their intrinsic biological and physicochemical features; however, knowledge on the genetic distribution of fish in these drainages is limited. Therefore, in the present study, RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and microsatellite markers were used to analyze population differentiation and gene flow of Astyanax altiparanae and Geophagus brasiliensis from three sites (high, medium, and low) throughout the Penacho stream (about 32 km long), which is a Neotropical stream. Both markers revealed higher levels of genetic diversity levels for A. altiparanae ( P : 90.05; H S : 0.350) compared to G. brasiliensis ( P : 30.43; H S : 0.118), which may be related to the particular biology of each species. AMOVA revealed significant genetic variation among populations of each species. All pairwise Ф ST values were significant, ranging from 0.020 to 0.056 for A. altiparanae samples, and from 0.065 to 0.190 for G. brasiliensis samples. Bayesian clustering analysis corroborated these results and revealed clusters of both A. altiparanae (two based on RAPD data) and G. brasiliensis (two based on RAPD data and three on microsatellite data). Gene flow estimates showed that there were similar rates of migration among A. altiparanae samples and low rates of migration among some G. brasiliensis samples. These results suggest patterns of fine-scale genetic structure for both species in the Penacho stream. This information may enhance knowledge of Neotropical streams and may be useful for future management and conservation activities.

Brycon nattereri is an endangered Neotropical fish reported along conserved stretches of the upper Paraná, Tocantins and São Francisco rivers. Populations of this species have been very rare in some Paraná River sub basins. This study analyzes the genetic diversity and population structure of B. nattereri in a restricted area of occurrence recently identified in upper Paraná River basin. Seven microsatellite loci and 497 bp of D-Loop mitochondrial region were examined in 92 individuals from four points along the area of occurrence. Both molecular markers indicated a single population distributed along a stretch of the river approximately 80 km long. Although some of the data suggest an ancient bottleneck, current levels of genetic diversity (H E = 0.574 and h = 0.616) were similar to those of other species of the genus Brycon. The results suggest that the population of B. nattereri has been able to maintain satisfactory levels of genetic diversity, in spite of the small area of occurrence. These data have highlighted an important conservation area and action may prove essential to improve the quality of the environment, and especially the water and riparian plant life, if the area is to be managed and conserved efficiently.

This work is the most comprehensive survey of the Laranjinha River´s fishes, a tributary of the Cinzas River, Paranapanema River basin. Throughout its course, there is only a low-height dam, including a transposition system located 98 km from its mouth. The sampling was carried out in nine locations, from the source to the mouth, with six field incursions in each location, using different fishing gear. A total of 11,924 fish were collected, distributed in seven orders, 27 families, and 100 species. The most representative order in the number of species was Siluriformes, followed by Characiformes. As for the families, Loricariidae comprised 21% and Characidae 14% of species richness. Phalloceros harpagos was the species with the highest absolute abundance, representing 11.3% of the total, followed by Hypostomus ancistroides with 9.8%. However, considering the average abundance and frequency of occurrence, Hypostomus ancistroides was the most abundant species, followed by Hypostomus cf. paulinus, Psalidodon aff. paranae and Phalloceros harpagos. Among the collected species, the Apteronotus acidops, Brycon orbygnianus, Brycon nattereri, Crenicichla jupiaensis, and Rhinelepis aspera were classified as endangered on the most recent IUCN Red List. Also, from the total sampled fish, 9.8% are considered non-native species. Among the native species recorded, 10 species are large migratory species, which indicates that the Laranjinha River is a route for spawning and maintenance of species diversity in the middle Paranapanema River. Therefore, the Laranjinha River is a heritage of fish diversity and deserves special attention in its preservation.

In the Neotropics, freshwater streams harbour high fish diversity and are constantly threatened by anthropogenic disturbance. However, there are few studies on the genetic diversity of fish populations inhabiting these streams. We aimed to assess, based on microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers, the population structure and genetic diversity of the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus ancistroides, a Neotropical species widely distributed across the Upper Paraná River Basin in South America. Twenty-five locations were sampled, distributed across 18 sites in six tributary streams and another seven sites in the main river channel. Our analyses revealed a spatial heterogeneity in genetic diversity within the basin, indicating fine-scale genetic structuring. Samples from all streams showed exclusive haplotypes and private alleles, reinforcing the importance of preserving the tributaries for the conservation of the genetic diversity of the studied populations. The fine-scale genetic structuring of H. ancistroides is probably related to the limited displacement capacity of this species.

Data on 15 novel microsatellite loci from the Neotropical fish Bryconamericus aff. iheringii are presented here. Analyses of 32 individuals from four different streams revealed 192 different alleles, ranging from four to 32 alleles per locus (mean of 12.8 per locus). Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.094 to 0.813 and 0.205 to 0.952, respectively. These loci showed high polymorphic information content and will be a resource for genetic studies of B. aff. iheringii. Furthermore, several loci also amplified other small Neotropical Characidae (Piabarchus stramineus and Piabina argentea) and should be useful for these species.