Ichthyofauna diversity of Taperoá II reservoir, semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

To determine the fish species present in Taperoá II Reservoir, and their relevance to the local economy, this research aimed to evaluate the composition, abundance, degree of dominance and constancy of species, along with diversity, richness, evenness and similarity indices in a tropical semi-arid fish assemblage, during one year. Six 24 hour-long samplings were carried out between October 2005 and October 2006 using cast, seine and gillnets. The 889 collected individuals belonged to 11 species from 9 families. Temporal variation was observed in the capture frequency of different species, and a significant negative correlation between precipitation and number of individuals was also observed. Among the recorded families, Characidae showed a higher frequency of occurrence (38.4%), mostly due to Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and A. fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819). Eight species were categorised as constant, two as accessory and one as accidental. Diversity index values were intermediate with low fluctuation throughout the study period, and no correlation with precipitation or water volume. However, the greatest diversity value was recorded in March 2006, when the peak of the precipitation was recorded. Evenness values showed a similar trend to the diversity index.Keywords: reservoir, ecology, community, temporal variation. Diversidade da ictiofauna do açude Taperoá II, semiárido paraibano, Brasil ResumoPara determinar as espécies de peixe presentes no Açude Taperoá II e sua relevância para a economia local, objetivou-se determinar a composição, a abundância, a dominância e a constância de espécies da ictiofauna, bem como os índices de diversidade (H'), riqueza, equitabilidade e similaridade de espécies ao longo de um ano. Foram realizadas seis coletas ao longo de 24 horas, de outubro de 2005 a outubro de 2006, utilizando-se tarrafas, redes de espera e arrasto. Foram coletados 889 indivíduos, identificados em 11 táxons específicos, distribuídos em nove famílias. A abundância das diferentes espécies variou temporalmente, com correlação negativa significativa entre a precipitação e o número de indivíduos. Dentre as famílias identificadas, Characidae apresentou a maior frequência de ocorrência (38,5%), representada pelas espécies Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) e A. fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819). Oito espécies foram consideradas constantes, duas acessórias e uma acidental. O índice de diversidade apresentou valores entre 2,11 e 2,80, e não apresentou correlação com a precipitação e o volume do açude. Entretanto, o índice de diversidade mais elevado foi registrado no mês de março de 2006, pico do período chuvoso. Os valores da equitabilidade comportaram-se de forma semelhante aos do índice de diversidade.Palavras-chave: reservatório, ecologia, comunidade, variação temporal.

Composition of the ichthyofauna in Brazilian semiarid reservoirs

“…However, order Perciformes displays higher species diversity than the order Siluriformes when it comes to reservoirs (Marinho et al 2006, Montenegro et al 2012, Gurgel-Lourenço et al 2015. The higher species diversity of the order Perciformes in the semiarid reservoirs can be correlated to the lentic habit of Caatinga reservoirs, to which Cichlidae species, the most diverse family within the order, are well adapted (Kullander 2003, Langeani et al 2007.…”

Ichthyofauna of the Reserva Biológica Guaribas and surrounding areas, state of Paraíba, Brazil

“…Nonetheless, the presence of O. niloti cus in a site inside the conservation unit suggests that this species may have spread from local reservoirs to the conservation unit and demands a more detailed evaluation of its distribution throughout the local streams and its monitoring across sites within the REBIO. Given the history of species introductions in Brazil's northeastern drainages (Gurgel and Oliveira 1987) and the fact that other neighboring drainages have higher rates of species of fish introduced, for instance 5 introduced species are reported for the Paraíba do Norte River (Montenegro et al 2011), the presence of P. reticulata and O. niloticus becomes a concern and their distribution should be evaluated and monitored. This is aggravated by the fact that O. niloticus feeds on food items from the basis of the trophic web, and is associated with a large feeding plasticity, tolerance to environmental change and efficient reproductive behavior (with parental care, high growth rates and short reproductive maturity) (Attayde et al 2007).…”

Structure dynamics of a fish community over ten years of formation in the reservoir of the hydroelectric power plant in upper Uruguay River

“…Despite the various recent studies conducted at Brazilian reservoirs (Petesse and Petrere-Junior, 2012;Araujo et al, 2013;Novaes et al, 2014;Sanches et al, 2016;Montenegro et al, 2012), there are few researchers that have had the opportunity to study the ichthyofauna through scientific monitoring over a long period. Only continuous accompaniment of the environment can construct a long-term investigation that is capable of providing responses that can often not be observed in another manner (Elliott, 1990;Cody, 1996) and assist in possible mitigating actions.…”