Ichthyofauna of urban streams in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

in stream flow discharge, including changes in hydrological processes (with network waterproofing), are common characteristics of human-modified streams, resulting in a decrease in soil percolation and an increase in superficial discharge (Dunne and Leopold 1978). As a consequence, changes in channel stability and morphology and increases in wastewater discharge are expected, which are reflected in ecological aspects, such as changes in species distributions (Maloney and Weller 2010; Alexandre et al. 2010; Cunico et al. 2012), decreases in species richness, and dominance of tolerant species to environmental degradation (Paul and Meyer 2001; Meyer et al. 2005). Although in recent years there has been a significant increase in the studies of the ichthyofauna in tropical streams the knowledge is less extensive than that of temperate areas (Winemiller et al. 2008). In Brazilian inland waters, especially in urban stream, the estimates of the fish diversity are still imprecise due to the lack of complete inventories (Agostinho et al. 2008). First-order streams are abundant and unique components of a river network, they showing high biological diversity and are important for maintenance of the biological integrity of entire ecosystem (Meyer et al. 2007). List of species contributes to build a database on species distribution patterns in altered environments, and to set the ground for future actions of biodiversity management and conservation In the present study, we sampled ichthtyofauna in three first-order streams affected by urban activities, aiming at inventorying the fish species that occur in these particular environments.

Ichthyofauna from three streams of the lower Iguatemi River in the upper Paraná river basin, Brazil

“…The families with the highest number of species in our study (Characidae, Heptapteridae, and Loricariidae) were also reported by Langeani et al (2007) as the most species-rich in the upper Paraná river basin. Similarly, several studies have indicated the prevalence of these families in other streams of this basin (Casatti et al 2001, Cunico et al 2009, Súarez and Lima-Júnior 2009, Felipe and Súarez 2010, Pereira et al 2014, Frota et al 2016, Bifi et al 2017. In addition, the most representative species in number of individuals, P. harpagos, A. aff.…”

Fish fauna in forested and rural streams from an ecoregion of high endemism, lower Iguaçu River basin, Brazil

“…Characidae with a great number of smaller sized and generalists foraging species (sensu Castro 1999, Abelha et al 2001, normally have co-dominated with armored dwellers Loricariidae (Castro et al 2003, Araújo et al 2011, Hoffmann et al 2015, Vidotto-Magnoni et al 2015, or with catfishes Heptapteridae (Pereira et al 2014), and eventually with Cichlidae (Gubiani et al 2010), when non-native tilapias are present. However, similar to found herein, Trichomycteridae have been representative in low Iguaçu streams (Frota et al 2016b, Larentis et al 2016, probably by morphological adaptations of its species to dwelling in varied streams (Casatti 2003).…”

“…Among the four species considered to be non-native (about 15%), two are reported to be used as baits (Gymnotus sylvius and Synbranchus marmoratus) (Baumgartner et al 2012). Poecilia reticulata was introduced in Brazil for combating mosquito larvae and today is widespread in most streams, especially those more degraded (Pereira et al 2014). Contrary, Oreochromis niloticus was the only non-native species recorded in a stream located in a conservation unit (S6).…”

Update on the ichthyofauna of the Piquiri River basin, Paraná, Brazil: a conservation priority area

“…Poecilia reticulata has been widespread worldwide as an ornamental animal and mosquito larvae control agent (Dussalt & Kramer 1981, Azevedo-Santos et al 2016). This species is considered to be one of the most abundant in rural and urban streams at present (Oliveira & Bennemann 2005, Pereira et al 2014) likely because of its high resistance and resilience (Gomiero & Braga 2007, Daga et al 2012 in addition to its high competitive efficiency against competition from invasive and native species (Pompeu & Alves 2003).…”