Spatio‐temporal variations in the structure, density, biomass and production rates of fish were assessed in the neotropical River Ubatiba (Serra do Mar, southeast Brazil). Electrofishing techniques and the length‐frequency method were shown to be reliable for the assessment of (ish numbers and production rates in these running waters of medium conductivity. Eighteen fish species of small size and prolonged spawning period were broadly distributed throughout the river catchment. Over the year, the assemblage structure was persistent along the river. Water column omnivore and algae/detritivore species dominated in density (15086‐70330 ind. ha−1), whereas three omnivores and a piscivorous species accounted for 70% of the production (51.5‐250.4 kg ha−1 yr−1). Comparison of production rates among, tropical, temperate and Mediterranean stream fish assemblages indicate lower rates in tropical streams and an inverse relationship between production and species diversity, lower production rates in high‐diversity tropical streams vs higher rates in low‐diversity Mediterranean streams, with intermediate rates in temperate streams of intermediate diversity.

Electrofishing adequacy was tested as a technique to obtain quantitative data of coastal stream fish populations and communities in the Southeast of Brazil. Seven field trips, between July/94 and July/95, were done in 5 localities of the Ubatiba fluvial system (Maricá, RJ). Seventeen species, among the 22 collected, had their numbers estimated through the Zipping method, the model used to test the sampling methodology. At each field trip, three removals with electrofishing were done in each locality and, according to the number of obtained species at each locality/field trip, we analysed 315 cases. Nineteen cases, among 315, showed failure condition. Estimates were significant (p < 0.01) in 96% of the studied cases. Non-significant cases were obtained for rare species due to over and randomly efficient electrofishing in 63.3% and 36.4% of the cases, respectively. No correlation was found between catchability and the estimated number of individuals and/or environmental characteristics. High values for sampling efficiency (> 85%) were found for all estimates. An experimental analyses were done for one locality and, the comparison between the estimates for 3 and 6 successive removals showed a mean error and a standard deviation of 5.5% and 2.1% respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that electrofishing was an efficient method for quantitative data analysis of fish populations and communities in the Ubatiba fluvial system.

In this work we aimed to characterise the diet of Astyanax taeniatus (Jenyns 1842) (Characiformes, Characidae) along the Mato Grosso stream and we hypothesised that the diet of this species would vary according to spatial, seasonal and ontogenetic differences. Specimens were collected every second month at three sites with different physical attributes. The feeding habits of 651 specimens were analysed using the Alimentary Index (IA i ). Analysis of the diet showed an effect of spatial, temporal and ontogenetic factors. Vegetal allochthonous items were more important in the diet of Astyanax taeniatus in upstream sites while animal autochthonous items were more important downstream. Ontogenetic differences in the diet were significant only in upstream sites, where adults consumed a greater amount of vegetal matter than juveniles. These results reinforce the idea that Astyanax species are opportunistic and show trophic plasticity.Keywords: feeding, opportunism, stream fish. Plasticidade trófica em Astyanax taeniatus de um riacho costeiro do Sudeste do Brasil ResumoNeste trabalho, objetivou-se caracterizar a dieta de Astyanax taeniatus (Jenyns 1842) (Characiformes, Characidae) ao longo do Rio Mato Grosso, com a hipótese de que a espécie apresente variações espaciais, sazonais e ontogenéticas. Os exemplares foram coletados bimestralmente em três localidades, que diferiram pelas variáveis físicas. As preferências alimentares foram analisadas a partir de 651 exemplares, utilizando-se o Índice Alimentar (IA i ). Foram avaliadas diferenças espaciais, sazonais e ontogenéticas a partir dos dados de dieta. Os itens de origem vegetal e alóctone foram mais importantes na dieta da espécie para as localidades com maior altitude, enquanto os itens animais e autóctones, na localidade baixa. Na dieta de jovens e adultos, houve diferença significativa na contribuição de itens de origem vegetal e animal somente na localidade mais alta, onde os adultos consumiram maior quantidade de matéria vegetal. Os resultados reforçam a ideia de que as espécies de Astyanax possuem hábito alimentar onívoro e oportunista, evidenciando sua alta plasticidade alimentar ao longo do riacho.Palavras-chave: alimentação, oportunismo, peixe de riacho.

Aspects of the reproductive biology of Astyanax janeiroensis in the Ubatiba river in Maricá, RJ, Brazil were evaluated in order to ascertain whether the strategy adopted by the species is causally related to environmental variables. Specimens were collected on a monthly basis from October 1994 to September 1995, through electrofishing. The Sex ratio was not significantly different from the expected frequency of 1:1 (G = 1.29; p > 0.50); nonetheless, considering three standard length classes, significantly larger numbers of females were recorded for the higher SL class (G = 11.07; p < 0.01). Size at first maturation showed no significant differences between sexes. Length-weight ratio analyses showed negative allometry for males and isometry, for females. Length structure was significantly different between sexes, suggesting that females are larger than males (D = 0.027, p < 0.01). Reproductive specimens were recorded during nine months of the annual cycle. Seasonal variations of reproductive specimens belonging to two different standard length classes displayed an asynchronous behavior, with larger specimens having a longer reproductive period and smaller ones reproducing for fewer months during the annual cycle. High values of fecundity (F), varying from 3169 to 18714 oocytes, were recorded for fish of 9.1 and 10.2 cm lengths, respectively. The correlation between weight and number of oocytes/unit of weight was positive, indicating that larger specimens produced more eggs.Keywords: stream-dwelling fish, coastal stream, reproductive biology. RESUMOBiologia Reprodutiva de Astyanax Janeiroensis (Osteichthyes, Characidae) do Rio Ubatiba, Maricá, RJForam analisados aspectos da biologia reprodutiva de Astyanax janeiroensis do rio Ubatiba -Maricá, RJ, afim de discutir se a estratégia adotada possui alguma relação de causalidade com as variáveis ambientais. Os espécimens foram coletados mensalmente, entre outubro 1994 e setembro 1995, mediante pesca elétrica. A proporção sexual não diferiu significativamente do esperado 1:1 (G = 1.29; p > 0.50); mas, considerando-se 3 classes de tamanho distintas, foi registrada diferença significativa, com predomínio de fêmeas, na classe de maior tamanho (G = 11,07; p < 0,01). O tamanho médio da 1 a maturação não apresentou diferença significativa entre os sexos. A análise da relação entre o peso e o indicou alometria negativa para os machos e isometria para as fêmeas. A estrutura de tamanho foi significativamente diferente entre os sexos sugerindo que as fêmeas alcançam tamanho superior ao dos machos (D = 0,027, p < 0,01 exemplares de maior tamanho reproduzindo durante um maior intervalo de tempo e os exemplares menores com reprodução restrita a alguns meses do ciclo anual. Altos valores de fecundidade foram registrados, variando de 3169 a 18714 ovócitos para peixes de 9,1 a 10,2 cm, respectivamente. Análises de correlação, entre peso total e o número de ovócitos/unidade de peso, apresentou correlação positiva e indicou que os espécimes maiores produzem mais ovos.Palavras-chav...

Hydrological richness on extreme southern Bahia contrasts with the poorly known freshwater fish fauna. It is surprising the presence of several species still undescribed. The present study is the first contribution dealing with the fish fauna of the local river basins. We herein investigate fish fauna of Rio Peruípe basin, a remarkably freshwater drainage, with a wide estuary. Eleven localities, geo-referred, were evaluated in streams and rivulets along that freshwater drainage. The employment of methodology for collecting the environmental data and the fishes made possible the description of each locality sampled, as well as the documentation of the taxonomic composition of the fish fauna. Illustrations of the collecting localities and of individuals of some representative species, in live coloration, are provided. There were found 26 species belonging to 12 families in 6 orders. Within the species sampled Trichomycterus pradensis Sarmento-Soares et al. (2005) and Microglanis pataxo were recently described as new. About 48.7% of total amount of fishes caught belong to the order Siluriformes, 38.5% to Characiformes, 34.6% to Perciformes, 11.5% to Cyprinodontiformes, 7.7% to Gymnotiformes, 3.8% to Synbranchiformes, and 3.8% to Pleuronectiformes. The most frequent species in terms of constancy of occurrence were Geophagus brasiliensis (present in 82% of sampled localities), Hoplias malabaricus (64%), Astyanax cf. rivularis (55%), Poecilia vivipara (55%), Astyanax cf. lacustris (45%) and Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus (45%). Based on information about the fishes caught in each collecting locality there were estimated the richness, the diversity, the equitability and the dominance. The potential loss of microenvironments in some portions of rivers is pointed as a factor influencing on the occurrence and distribution of some species. The dominance of small sized fishes, not exceeding 150 mm CP, is associated to a high regional endemism.Keywords: ichthyofauna, riachos, coastal "tabuleiros", northeastern, Brazil. A riqueza hidrológica no Extremo Sul da Bahia é contrastante em relação à ainda pouco conhecida fauna de peixes. Impressiona a presença de diversas espécies ainda não descritas. O presente estudo é parte de uma série que pretende avaliar os sistemas hídricos do Extremo Sul da Bahia do ponto de vista da ictiofauna nas diversas bacias. Aqui são investigados os peixes da bacia do Rio Peruípe, um sistema ímpar de drenagem fluvial, com um amplo delta. Foram averiguados onze pontos georreferenciados em rios e riachos daquele sistema de drenagem. O uso de metodologia para coleta de dados ambientais e de peixes possibilitou descrever cada ambiente coletado bem como documentar a composição taxonômica da ictiofauna. São fornecidas ilustrações das localidades amostrais e de espécimes representativos de algumas das espécies coletadas, exibindo sua coloração em vida. No total foram verificadas 26 espécies pertencentes a 12 famílias em 6 ordens. Das espécies coletadas Trichomycterus pradensis Sarmento-Soares et al. (2005) e Mi...

Longitudinal distribution of Mimagoniates microlepis and Hoplias malabaricus was analyzed in a coastal stream system in Southeast Brazil. Six sites were sampled by electrofishing in seven months, from July 94 to July 95. Densities of M. microlepis, and H. malabaricus and its prey (Poecilia vivipara, Deuterodon sp. and Astyanax janeiroensis) were estimated by the Zippin method; environmental variables of: (i) kind of substratum; (ii) percentage of pools, runs, riffles, instream vegetation, and canopy were registered for each site in each sampling month. The relative importance of each biotic and abiotic variable was tested through simple correlation analyses. We verified that M. microlepis occurrence correlates with canopy; H. malabaricus is correlated with instream vegetation, pools, clay substratum, and P. vivipara densities; and P. vivipara correlates with pools and clay substratum. Our results suggest that environmental variables, and food and shelter availability are the main factors in determining M. microlepis and H. malabaricus distribution.

ABSTRACT

Deploying mosquito predators such as the guppy (Poecilia reticulata) into bodies of water where mosquitoes breed is a common strategy for limiting the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Here, we draw on studies from epidemiology, conservation, ecology and evolution to show that the evidence for the effectiveness of guppies in controlling mosquitoes is weak, that the chances of accidental guppy introduction into local ecosystems are large, and that guppies can easily establish populations and damage these aquatic ecosystems. We highlight several knowledge and implementation gaps, and urge that this approach is either abandoned in favour of more effective strategies or that it is used much more rigorously. Controlling mosquitoes does not need to come at the expense of freshwater biodiversity.