First record of Moenkhausia costae (Steindachner 1907) in the Paraíba do Norte basin after the São Francisco River diversion

Abstract

Construction of water diversions in drylands is boosted by increasing demands for freshwater often due to prolonged droughts. Even though these mega-enterprises result in benefits to society, it also poses a threat to freshwater biodiversity. In Northeastern Brazil, for instance, the São Francisco River Integration Project already supplies water for millions of people, but over time it will also favor the introductions of multiple aquatic species in the river basins of the Northeastern Caatinga and Coastal Drainages ecoregion. These introductions can cause unprecedented impacts in the native ichthyofauna, such as homogenization of freshwater faunas, transmission of pathogens and loss of native species. This study compares the composition and relative frequency of fish species from Poções reservoir using data obtained by gillnetting and trawling before and after the São Francisco diversion in the dry and rainy seasons, and reports the first detection of Moenkhausia costae introduction in the Paraíba do Norte basin, through the São Francisco River channel. Our results show some evidences that M. costae may become dominant and invasive in Poções reservoir. The introduction of M. costae adds a new component of disruption for these freshwaters and may pose a serious threat to the endemic ichthyofauna in lentic and lotic systems from the Paraíba do Norte basin.

INVASION OF THE THIARID SNAIL Melanoides tuberculata (MOLLUSCA) IN A CONSERVATION AREA OF THE SEMIARID REGION OF BRAZIL

“…As the reservoir has multiple uses, the presence of this snail can affect not only the native biota, but also the human population in different ways (economic, cultural and in terms of public health). Moreover, the connectivity with the water system associated with the project to transfer the waters of the São Francisco River can increase the dispersal of the species, as previously seen for fishes (RAMOS et al, 2021).…”

Unregulated sales of fishing nets: consequences and possible solutions in Brazil

“…Fishing nets are an efficient type of fishing gear for catching fish (e.g., Fig. 1b; Ramos et al 2021), but their use may also result in the accidental capture of other animals (Fig. 1c; Reeves et al 2013).…”