Simple, effective protocols for cryopreserving milt of five Brazilian migratory characids (Brycon orbignyanus, Prochilodus lineatus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, Salminus maxillosus and Leporinus elongatus) and one Brazilian migratory catfish (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) are described. Milt was frozen and stored in dry shippers immediately after collection, making the procedure practical for use in the field. A diluent of 5% glucose, 10% dimethyl sulphoxide and 10% egg yolk was effective for all of the characid species, and a diluent of 10% methanol and 15% powdered milk was effective for P. corruscans. Milt was thawed in an ambient temperature water bath (28–30° C). Activation of thawed milt was effective with either saline (0·9 or 0·45% NaCl) or bicarbonate (1% NaHCO3). Fertilization rates with frozen milt varied between 49 and 300% of the control. Application of the technology for increasing genetic diversity in hatchery programmes for enhancement, mitigation or conservation breeding is discussed, as is its application in aquaculture. Inappropriate use of the technology can threaten wild biodiversity and appropriate legislation and education may be required for its responsible use.

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The knowledge of embryonic and larvae development of fishes is a fundamental key which enables a closer approach to their biology and taxonomy. The present study aims to characterize piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) embryonic and larvae development. During the whole embryogenesis, 15 to 20 embryos were sampled and analyzed. Eggs of B. orbignyanus are semidense, transparent, spherical, and bear a large perivitelline space. Hatching takes place 18 hours and 30 minutes after fertilization at 25 ± 0.8ºC. Total length and weight of just hatched larvae were 4.46 ± 0.39mm and 2.56 ± 0.73mg, respectively. Larvae presented entirely developed and pigmented eyes, as well as a vertical mouth opening of 15.2 ± 1.9% of body length, 36 hours after hatching, period from which intense cannibalism was observed.

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RESUMO.Este estudo teve como objetivo principal avaliar o potencial do jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, e do dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, para exploração em aqüicultura no Sul do Brasil. Para tanto, a velocidade de crescimento, conversão alimentar, diferença de crescimento entre machos e fêmeas, resistência ao manejo e sobrevivência destas espécies foram avaliadas. Alevinos destas duas espécies foram estocados em viveiros de terra, em dois municípios de Santa Catarina: Santo Amaro da Imperatriz (SA) e São Carlos (SC). Estes foram alimentados com dietas comerciais, duas vezes ao dia, até a saciedade aparente. Após 365 (jundiás) e 605 (dourados) dias, os jundiás apresentaram um ganho em peso diário (GPD) de 1,00g e 1,97g e conversão alimentar de 1,85 e 1,78, em SA e SC, respectivamente, enquanto os dourados um GPD de 0,46g e 0,51g e conversão de 3,52 e 3,82, em SA e SC, respectivamente. Em SA, foram detectadas diferenças em GPD, fator de condição e índice gônado-somático entre machos e fêmeas. Fatores como densidade de estocagem, tamanho de viveiro e proporção sexual são discutidos para as duas espécies. Palavras chave: Rhamdia quelen, Salminus brasiliensis, desempenho em viveiros de terraABSTRACT. Performance of Jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, and Dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, in earth ponds of southern Brazil. The present study aimed to evaluate the aquaculture potential in Southern Brazil for two species of freshwater fish: dourado, Salminus brasiliensis and jundiá, Rhamdia quelen. Growth, feed conversion, growth differences between males and females, resistance to handling and survival rate were evaluated. Fingerlings of the two species were stocked in earthen ponds at two different locations in the State of Santa Catarina: Santo Amaro da Imperatriz (SA) and São Carlos (SC). Fish were fed commercial diets twice a day to apparent satiation. After 365 days (jundiá) and 605 (dourado) days, jundiá presented a daily weight gain (DWG) of 1.00 and 1.97g and feed conversion of 1.85 and 1.78 at SA and SC, respectively, whereas for dourado, the DWG was 0.46 and 0.51 and feed conversion was 3.52 and 3.82 at SA and SC, respectively. At SA, differences were detected between males and females for growth, condition factor and gonadosomatic index. Stocking density, pond size and sexual ratio are discussed for both species. Key words: Rhamdia quelen, Salminus brasiliensis, performance in earthen ponds IntroduçãoA piscicultura de água doce é uma atividade recente e em desenvolvimento no Brasil, dispondo de grande diversidade de espécies cultivadas. A maior parte da produção nacional é representada por espécies exóticas, tais como as carpas (comum, capim, prateada e cabeça grande) e a tilápia do Nilo (Borghetti et al., 2003). Com o objetivo de viabilizar a produção de espécies nativas em larga escala, estudos com essas espécies têm sido conduzidos, revelando, para algumas delas, uma grande potencialidade para a piscicultura nacional, não apenas por apresentarem índices zootécnicos compatíveis aos das exóticas, características organolépticas...

Studies that assess reproduction dynamics and ichthyoplankton distributions are scarce for the upper Uruguay River, especially in environments such as tributary mouths. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate: (i) ichthyoplankton composition; (ii) spatial and temporal variation in ichthyoplankton abundance; and (iii) relationships between environmental variables and the abundance of ichthyoplankton during one annual cycle in this region. Monthly samples were collected

ABSTRACT

DNA barcoding is a widely utilized molecular-based identification of species and taxonomic resolutions. Until recently, Rhamdia voulezi and Rhamdia branneri were considered species synonyms of Rhamdia quelen; however, morphological and cytogenetic analyses have suggested the validity of distinct species. Due to the absence of molecular taxonomy of R. voulezi and R. branneri, the objective of this study was to test its validity through traditional DNA barcoding and the GMYC (General Mixed Yule Coalescent) COI-based analyses in 19 specimens from the Iguaçu River Basin. In both methodologies, three MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units) were identified based on the estimated optimum threshold (OT = 0.77). The average inter-MOTU distance (NJ, K2P) between R. branneri and R. voulezi was 1.4%, and 0% intra-MOTU distance in both species. The two species identified as R. branneri and R. voulezi showed correspondence with taxonomic and morphological identifications. With regard to R. quelen, the average intra-MOTU distance was greater than OT (2.7%), indicating that this species can be formed by different MOTUs. We suggest that molecular and taxonomic studies should be employed concurrently in R. quelen, to prevent contamination of wild species by hybridizations. O DNA barcoding é uma ferramenta molecular precisa para a identificação de espécies e resoluções taxonômicas. Até recentemente, Rhamdia voulezi e Rhamdia branneri eram consideradas sinônimas de Rhamdia quelen, contudo caracteres morfológicos e citogenéticos têm apontado à validade de ambas. Devido à escassez de informações sobre a taxonomia molecular de R. voulezi e R. branneri, o objetivo do presente estudo foi testar a validade das mesmas através do método de DNA barcoding tradicional e GMYC (General Mixed Yule Coalescent), por meio da análise do gene COI em 19 espécimes do rio Iguaçu. Em ambos os métodos, três MOTUs (Unidades Taxonômicas Operacionais Moleculares) foram identificadas com base no ótimo threshold (OT = 0,77). A média inter-MOTU (NJ, K2P) entre R. branneri e R. voulezi foi 1,4%, com valores de 0% intra-MOTUs em ambas espécies. As duas espécies identificadas como R. voulezi e R. branneri apresentaram correspondência com a identificação taxonômica e morfológica dos respectivos vouchers. No que se refere a R. quelen, os resultados intra-MOTU foram superiores ao OT (2,7%), evidenciando a possibilidade de existirem diferentes MOTUs denominadas como R. quelen. Sugerimos que estudos moleculares e taxonômicos sejam empregados em R. quelen, para evitar a contaminação de espécies selvagens por hibridizações.Palavras-chave: Aquicultura, COI, Complexo de espécies, Jundiá, MOTU.