Loss of biodiversity in a conservation unit of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: the effect of introducing non-native fish species

Abstract

The introduction of species has become an important problem for biodiversity and natural ecosystem conservation. The lake system of the middle Rio Doce (MG, Brazil) comprises c. 200 lakes at various conservation states, of which 50 are located within the Rio Doce State Park (PERD). Previous studies had verified several of these lakes suffered non-native fishes introductions and the presence of these species needs for the implementation of actions aiming at not only their control but also the preservation of the native species. This study discusses the effects of non-native fish species in the largest conservation unit of Atlantic Forest in Minas Gerais, southeast of Brazil, using data from 1983 to 2010 distributed as follow: data prior to 2006 were obtained from previous studies, and data from September 2006 to July 2010 were obtained in Lake Carioca at four sampling stations using gillnets, seine nets and sieve. A total of 17 fish species was collected (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) of which five were introduced species. Among the small to medium size native species (30 to 2000 mm standard length) seven had disappeared, two are new records and one was recaptured. The non-native species Cichla kelberi (peacock bass) and Pygocentrus nattereri (red piranha) are within the most abundant captured species. Integrated with other actions, such as those preventing new introductions, a selective fishing schedule is proposed as an alternative approach to improve the conservation management actions and the local and regional biodiversity maintenance.Keywords: fish fauna, biological invasion, Rio Doce basin, conservation management, local extinction. Palavras-chave: ictiofauna, invasão biológica, bacia do Rio Doce, manejo conservacionista, extinção local. Perda de biodiversidade em uma unidade de conservação da Mata Atlântica brasileira: efeitos da introdução de espécies não nativas de peixes

Reduced genetic diversity and the success of the invasive peacock bass (Cichliformes: Cichlidae)

“…For example, invasions of Cichla spp. in rivers and lakes of Panama have drastically reduced fish assemblages (Zaret and Paine, 1973), from which they have not yet recovered (even after 45 years) (Sharpe et al, 2017), and has been associated to the extinction of native species in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil (Pelicice and Agostinho, 2009;Fragoso-Moura et al, 2016). In invasions, aspects such as history of successful colonization, high physiological tolerance, an ability to deal with anthropogenic impact on a habitat, similar conditions between source and recipient environment, and large propagule size (>100 individuals) have been described as key factors used to predict successful invasions (Moyle and Marchetti, 2006).…”

Source-to-sea and landscape approaches: integrating water quality and biodiversity conservation towards the restoration of the Rio Doce watershed

“…However, information other than those that are focused on specific sites and/or groups of fauna and flora is lacking. Most were environmental impact studies and hydrological assessments (Sunaga & Verani, 1987;Vieira, 1994;Barbosa et al, 1997;Barbosa et al, 2013a and2013b;Barros et al, 2013;Maia-Barbosa et al, 2014;Reis et al, 2014;Fragoso-Moura et al, 2016). For example, when one study identified 71 native fish species in the Rio Doce (Sales et al, 2018), it called attention to the fact that the majority of the available studies have focused on the middle portion of the river, notably within the lake system of the Rio Doce State Park and its surroundings.…”

Predation and reproductive performance in two pelagic typhloplanid turbellarians

“…Later, it was shown that predation not only changes community composition by local extinction of prey [ 3 , 4 ], but it also modifies prey morphology, escape behavior, reproductive traits and population dynamics [ 5 – 9 ].…”