Kryptolebias marmoratus is an important experimental fish, and is considered to represent the only vertebrate species comprising self-fertilizing hermaphroditic individuals. Subsequent to the discovery of this unusual mode of reproduction, approximately 50 years ago, K. marmoratus has been the focus of a series of studies. However, little is known about the evolution of this rare reproduction mode, and data on the biology of closely related species are still unavailable. The present study aimed to histologically analyse the gonads of three K. marmoratus congeners (i.e. Kryptolebias ocellatus, Kryptolebias caudomarginatus, and Kryptolebias brasiliensis) to check the distribution of features related to hermaphroditism that are useful for forming hypotheses about the origin and evolution of the self-fertilization mode of reproduction through the available phylogenies. The data obtained demonstrate that populations of K. caudomarginatus consist of males and hermaphrodites, which supports the hypothesis that hermaphroditism arose at the base of the clade containing K. caudomarginatus, K. marmoratus, and K. ocellatus as a first step towards a more advanced condition, uniquely shared by both K. marmoratus and K. ocellatus, in which males are rare or absent in natural populations, with the subsequent occurrence of self-fertilization.

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Five rivers and 13 streams in the influence area of the Lajeado reservoir (upper-middle Tocantins River) were sampled in 5 expeditions. A total of 194 fish species were recorded and with the Characiformes and Siluriformes predominant, following the observed pattern for the Neotropical region. As expected, the families with greater richness were Characidae, Loricariidae and Cichlidae. Three species listed as Endangered were collected: Mylesinus paucisquamatus Jégu & Santos, 1988, Melanorivulus litteratus (Costa, 2010) and Paratrygon aiereba (Müller & Henle, 1841).

We described the feeding habits of Colomesus asellus from riverbanks of the upper-middle Tocantins River, Central Brazil. Two sampling expeditions were carried out in August (dry season) and in October (rainy season) of 2013, downstream from the Lajeado Hydroelectric Power Plant, Tocantins state. The diet of C. asellus was characterized and compared between juveniles and adults and between individuals captured in the dry season and in the rainy season. Individuals exhibited marked temporal segregation, with a predominance of adults on the riverbanks during the dry season and the predominance of juveniles in the rainy season. The diet of this species was based on diverse benthic prey, mostly Ephemeroptera nymphs (Insecta). Contrary to our expectations, the diet composition of C. asellus was not influenced by seasonal changes or ontogenetic factors, but the size of individuals determined the number of prey consumed. Thus, C. asellus can be classified in its trophic ecology as an insectivore without relation with fish size and seasonality.

Abstract:The diet and feeding activity of Rhaphiodon vulpinus were studied before and after the impoundment of the upper Tocantins river by the Serra da Mesa hydroelectric plant (Goiás State, central Brazil), in two areas: reservoir and downstream. Stomach contents of 214 specimens were analyzed: 46 from the river phase (Dec./95 to Oct./96), 100 from the filling phase (Dec./96 to Apr./98) and 68 from the operation phase (Jun./98 to Feb./00). The species was confirmed as a piscivore, with occasional consumption of insects and vegetal material. In the downstream area, none of the identified prey was common to all the three phases. The most consumed prey were Geophagus cf. surinamensis, Hemiodus ternetzi and Pimelodus blochii during the river, filling and operation phases, respectively. The engraulid Anchoviella sp. was exclusive to the operation phase. Prey richness was higher in the reservoir. Small-sized characids were consumed during the three phases, whereas H. ternetzi, Leporinus friderici and Tetragonopterus argenteus were exclusive to the river phase, Ctenobrycon hauxwellianus and Pimelodidae to the filling phase, and Satanoperca aff. jurupari to the operation phase, the latter being the most important in this phase. The feeding activity, given by the proportion of stomachs with food (EcA%) and empty (EV%), increased in each phase in the downstream area. In the reservoir, the opposite pattern was observed. No correlation was found between the sizes of predator and its prey; however, larger predators consumed prey of a wide size range. Keywords: piscivory, Cynodontidae, reservoir, feeding, Tocantins-Araguaia Basin. PACHECO, A.C.G., BARTOLETTE, R., CALUCA, J.F., CASTRO, A.L.M., ALBRECHT, M.P. & CARAMASCHI, E.P. Dinâmica alimentar de Rhaphiodon vulpinus Agassiz, 1829 (Teleostei, Cynodontidae) no alto Rio Tocantins (GO) em relação ao represamento pela UHE Serra da Mesa. Biota Neotrop. 9(3): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v9n3/pt/abstract?article+bn01009032009. Resumo:A dieta e atividade alimentar de Rhaphiodon vulpinus foram estudadas antes e após o represamento do alto Rio Tocantins pela UHE Serra da Mesa, GO, em duas grandes áreas: reservatório e jusante. O conteúdo estomacal de 214 exemplares foi analisado, sendo 46 da fase rio (dez./95 a out./96), 100 da fase enchimento (dez./96 a abr./98) e 68 da fase operação (jun./98 a fev./00). A espécie confirmou-se como piscívora, com consumo eventual de insetos e material vegetal. Na área a jusante, dentre os peixes-presa identificados, nenhum foi comum às três fases. As presas mais importantes foram Geophagus cf. surinamensis, Hemiodus ternetzi e Pimelodus blochii nas fases rio, enchimento e operação, respectivamente. Anchoviella sp. foi exclusiva da fase operação. Já no reservatório, a riqueza de presas foi maior. Caracídeos de pequeno porte foram consumidos nas três fases, ao passo que H. ternetzi, Leporinus friderici e Tetragonopterus argenteus foram exclusivas da fase rio, Ctenobrycon hauxwellianus e Pimelodidae, da fase enchimento, e Satanoperca aff. jurupar...