The genetic variability of the "curimba", Prochilodus lineatus, from three locations in the Paraná river basin, was investigated by starch gel electrophoresis. A total of 160 specimens were analyzed for 19 enzymes, 12 of which permitted successful interpretation of electrophoretic patterns. Eighteen loci were identified and six of them proved to be polymorphic (EST-1*, EST-2*, IDH-1*, PGM-1*, PGM-2*, LDH-2*). Mean heterozygosity was considered high (13%) by comparison with the literature. A low level of differentiation was found among subpopulations, with mean F ST = 0.018. Values of genetic distance and genetic identity suggest that, at least along this stretch of the river, P. lineatus comprises a single breed with high gene flow. This analysis has important implications for fishery management, aquaculture, and conservation of the stocks
A variabilidade genética das subpopulações de curimba, Prochilodus lineatus, coletadas em três localidades da bacia do rio Paraná, foi analisada pela eletroforese em gel de amido. Um total de 19 sistemas enzimáticos foram analisados, em 160 indivíduos, dos quais 12 apresentaram padrões eletroforéticos interpretáveis geneticamente. Dos 18 loci identificados, seis mostraram polimorfismo (EST-1*, EST-2*, IDH-1*, PGM-1*, PGM-2*, LDH-2*). A heterozigose média de 13% foi considerada alta quando comparada com os dados da literatura. Um baixo nível de diferenciação foi encontrado entre as subpopulações, com F ST = 0,018. Os valores de distância e identidade genética sugerem que, ao menos neste trecho da planície de inundação, P. lineatus representa uma única unidade reprodutiva com alto fluxo gênico. Esta análise tem importantes implicações para o manejo de pesca, piscicultura e conservação dos estoque

A total of five polymorphic microsatellites loci from Pseudoplatystoma corruscans were isolated and characterized. A population survey involving 43 specimens resolved a large number of alleles (range seven to eight among loci) and high observed heterozygosity (0.500–0.615), indicating its usefulness in population genetics studies. Cross‐species amplification was successful in four other Pimelodidae species.

The existence of reproductive isolation between two morphs of catfish, endemic to the Iguaçu River (Brazil), was examined by enzyme starch gel electrophoresis. Tissues of 19 catfish (Pimelodus ortmanni) and 15 of a similar morph (Pimelodus sp.), which differs from P. ortmanni by presenting larger and more scattered dusky spots on its skin, were analyzed. A Nei's (1978) genetic identity of 0.551 was determined by the analysis of 22 enzyme loci. The loci EST*1, EST*2, GDH*1, GPI*1, GPI*2, IDH*1, MDH*1, MDH*2, and PGM*1 were fixed for different alleles in each morph, that is, no heterozygote was found for these loci. The enzymatic patterns observed for the two morphs indicate both that the taxa are reproductively isolated and that they in fact represent separate species.
Eletroforese de enzimas em gel de amido foi utilizada para verificar a existência de isolamento reprodutivo entre duas formas de mandi endêmicas do Rio Iguaçu (Brasil). Foram analisados tecidos de 19 mandis (Pimelodus ortmanni) e 15 de uma forma semelhante (Pimelodus sp.), que difere de P. ortmanni por apresentar manchas escuras maiores e mais espaçadas sobre a pele. A análise de 22 locos enzimáticos exibiram uma identidade genética de 0,551. Os locos EST*1, EST*2, GDH*1, GPI*1, GPI*2, IDH*1, MDH*1, MDH*2 e PGM*1 se mostraram fixos para alelos alternativos em cada forma, isto é, nenhum heterozigoto para estes locos foi encontrado. Os padrões enzimáticos das duas formas indicaram que elas são reprodutivamente isoladas e que elas representam, de fato, duas espécies separadas

Leporinus macrocephalus is a species endemic to the Paraguay River basin and an important fishery resource, as well as a valuable species in aquaculture programs. A total of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized. A population survey was conducted involving 45 specimens whereby a large number of alleles (range 5 -17 among loci), a highly observed (0.1667 -0.6129) and an expected (0.6967 -0.9448) heterozygosity was detected, indicating its usefulness in population genetics studies. Cross-species amplification was successful in eight Characiformes species.

Samples of Crenicichla iguassuensis and a morph from the Iguaçu River which differed from C. iguassuensis by its lips morphology were examined by isozyme starch electrophoresis technique. The analysis of 27 enzyme loci exhibited a genetic identity of 0.993 between the two morphs. No diagnostic locus was found that permitted to distinguish the two Crenicichla morphs. The data obtained in this investigation did not support the existence of two distinct species for this genus in the IguaçuRiver, which suggested that the morphs stood for two polymorphic forms of Crenicichla iguassuensis .