scholarly journals Assessing fish assemblages similarity above and below a dam in a Neotropical reservoir with partial blockage

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 727-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
FG. Araújo ◽  
ABI. Santos ◽  
RJ. Albieri
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Prochilodus Lineatus ◽  
Oxygen Conductivity ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Pimelodus Maculatus ◽  
Hoplosternum Littorale

Damming rivers disrupts the water flow and changes the ichthyofauna organisation. We investigated an impoundment with permanent connection and homogeneous environmental conditions between the zones above and below the dam. Temperature was comparatively higher during wet season irrespective of zone, and both zones had higher dissolved oxygen, conductivity and transparency in the dry season. A total of 1687 individuals comprising 27 species were collected in the downriver zone, while the reservoir had 879 individuals and 23 species. Each zone had different fish assemblage composition and structure, but assemblages were not explained by the examined environmental variables (r2 = 0.08; p = 0.307). Migratory species such as Pimelodus maculatus, Pimelodus fur, Leporinus copelandii and Prochilodus lineatus were the most affected, and probably are prevented to perform upriver migrations. On the other hand, lentic adapted species such as G. brasiliensis, Hoplias malabaricus and Hoplosternum littorale successfully colonised the reservoir. Therefore we conclude that the presence of the lateral hydrological connectivity alone does not guarantee the ecological connectivity since fish assemblage similarity differed between the two zones. Fish passage facilities should be monitored and managed to evaluate and improve their functionality.

scholarly journals Presence of riparian vegetation increases biotic condition of fish assemblages in two Brazilian reservoirs

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Cop Ferreira ◽  
Ursulla Pereira Souza ◽  
Miguel Petrere Junior2
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Habitat Complexity ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Biotic Integrity ◽  
Wood Structures ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Lakes And Reservoirs ◽  
Metric Selection

Abstract The riparian vegetation in lakes and reservoirs is source of course wood structures such as trunks and branches and is used as sheltering, spawning and foraging habitats for fishes. The reduction of these submerged structures can thus, affect the composition and structure of fish assemblages in reservoirs. Aim To evaluate the influence of riparian vegetation on the biotic condition of fish assemblage by adapting the Reservoir Fish Assemblage Index (RFAI) to two reservoirs in the Upper Paranapanema river basin, São Paulo State, Brazil. Methods The RFAI was adapted from metrics related to the functional characteristics and composition of fish assemblages through a protocol of metric selection and validation, and to its response to the presence of riparian vegetation. Results The final RFAI was composed by nine metrics, been lower in sites without riparian vegetation as consequence of the predominance of larger individuals and the percent of piscivorous and detritivorous fishes. Conclusions These results suggest that increasing shore habitat complexity in reservoirs by maintaining riparian vegetation increases fish biotic integrity.

scholarly journals Efficiency and selectivity of a trap and truck fish passage system in Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo dos Santos Pompeu ◽  
Carlos Barreira Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Original Composition ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
River Fish

The construction of fish passages has been one of the strategies adopted by the Brazilian energy sector in order to diminish the effects of barriers on fish communities. However, studies of the efficiency of these mechanisms are scarce. The present study evaluated the efficiency and selectivity of the first trap and truck fish passage system in Brazil, installed in Santa Clara Dam, Mucuri River. The species composition in the Santa Clara Dam fish lift was compared to the original composition of Mucuri River fish fauna and with the populations that gather downstream of the dam during the reproductive season. The proportion of previously tagged individuals translocated by the lift was used to estimate its efficiency. During the 2003/2004 reproductive period, 67,841 individuals of 32 species passed through the lift, which corresponds to 66% of the lower Mucuri river fish richness. Less than 0.5% died or were injured during the passage. When compared to the river's population, less representative captures of smaller individuals and marine species were observed. However, the composition and structure of the community in the fish lift was quite similar to those downstream of the dam during the reproductive season. The estimated efficiency of the fish lift ranged from 0.2% for Pogonopoma wertheimeri to 16.1% for Leporinus conirostris reaching an average of 7% for all migratory species.

Spatial and temporal changes in the fish assemblage of a subtropical estuary in Brazil: environmental effects

2010 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 635-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciro Colodetti Vilar ◽  
Henry Louis Spach ◽  
Jean Christophe Joyeux
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Fish Assemblage Structure ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Subtropical Estuary ◽  
Citharichthys Spilopterus

This work provides information about the fish assemblage structure along the estuarine gradient of Baía da Babitonga, south Brazil. The seasonal and spatial dynamics of fish and their relationship with physical–chemical variables were investigated. A total of 70,085 fish of 70 taxa were collected. Late larva and early juveniles of Engraulidae, Eucinostomus spp. and Mugil spp. dominated in abundance, representing 62% of all fish captured. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance identified distinct fish assemblages within the bay and during the year. The marine straggler species Harengula clupeola, Oligoplites saliens and Trachinotus carolinus and the estuarine migrant Anchoa tricolor were characteristic of the outer-most bay area, while the estuarine resident and migrant species Atherinella brasiliensis, Anchoa januaria, Sphoeroides greeleyi and Citharichthys spilopterus, and the marine migrant Diapterus rhombeus were characteristic of the inner portion of the estuary. The seasonal changes in community structure observed were mainly related to the greater abundance of T. carolinus in the warm/wet season, Micropogonias furnieri in the transition season and Oligoplites saliens in the cold/dry season. Depth, followed by salinity, explained the greater part of the variability in the abundance of dominant species and was found to be important in shaping the assemblages. Nevertheless, the amount of variation unexplained by the measured abiotic variables was relatively high (73%), suggesting the effect of additional regulatory factors. Many fish species use the shallow waters of the bay in transitory or permanent ways, and knowledge about their relationship with the environment is necessary for the success of conservation strategies for this ecosystem.

scholarly journals The use of morphometric analysis to predict the swimming efficiency of two Neotropical long-distance migratory species in fish passage

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucileine de Assumpção ◽  
Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis ◽  
Sergio Makrakis ◽  
Ricardo Luiz Wagner ◽  
Patrícia Sarai da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Hydroelectric Power Plant ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Prochilodus Lineatus ◽  
Fish Ladder ◽  
Swimming Efficiency ◽  
Ascent Time

This study investigated the external body morphology (based on morphometric data) and the swimming efficiency in fish passages (based on the ascent time in a fish ladder) of two Neotropical long-distance migratory species. The fish were collected in the fish ladder of the Porto Primavera Hydroelectric Power Plant (known as Engenheiro Sergio Motta), upper Paraná River, Brazil. The species differ in several morphometric ratios related to swimming performance. Prochilodus lineatus exhibited a higher muscle ratio and caudal fin length ratio. However, Leporinus elongatus showed higher values for the fineness ratio, a higher length from snout to pectoral fin base ratio, and a higher caudal peduncle depth factor. Although both species show good swimming performance, the characteristics listed above may enable L. elongatus to apply greater power and propulsion, allowing it to reach a high swimming speed and to exhibit greater efficiency than P. lineatus. Leporinus elongatus moves faster than P. lineatus and has a lower mean ascent time (1.39 hours) than P. lineatus (3.76 hours). Prochilodus lineatus would require a somewhat longer time to pass through the fish ladder.

Response of fish assemblage structure to changing flood and flow pulses in a large subtropical river

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Espínola ◽  
A. P Rabuffetti ◽  
E Abrial ◽  
M. L. Amsler ◽  
M. C. A. Blettler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Flood Pulse ◽  
Fish Assemblage Structure ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Maximum Water Level ◽  
Flood Pulses ◽  
Maximum Water ◽  
Lotic Habitat ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Fish assemblages recorded from August 2010 to July 2013 in two lotic and lentic environments of the Middle Paraná River floodplain were studied in the light of flood and flow pulse variations. Three flood pulses occurred during the period of study, each with a different magnitude, duration and timing. Instead four flow pulses were recorded during this period. The varied hydrological conditions had an influence on the ichthyofauna. The fish species richness in both lentic and lotic habitat was negatively correlated with the maximum water level and fish assemblages were spatially and temporally structured according to their different reproductive strategies. Long- and short-distance migratory species were dominant after the flood pulse of the highest intensity and longest duration, whereas sedentary fish and internal fertilisation prevailed during flow pulses and lower flood pulses. Fish assemblage similarity was generally low between habitats during flood and flow pulses, but increased after those events depending on their magnitude, duration and timing. Apparently, flow pulses would also function like floods, as mechanisms of spatio-temporal structuring of fish assemblages.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
River System ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Large River ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Upstream Migration ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu

<em>Abstract.</em>—The Saint John River is located on the mainland of eastern North America, forming in northern Maine–southeastern Quebec, and flows east and south through New Brunswick. Fish collections were conducted at sites located from 135 to 625 km above the mouth in 2000 and 2001. Methods development trials demonstrated that the highest success was achieved with a standardized netting protocol consisting of a combination of dusk seining, nighttime electrofishing, and short-term gill net sets. A total of 36 species of fish were collected, with the greatest diversity occurring at the farthest downstream site. Upstream migration of anadromous species is restricted by the absence or poor performance of fish passage facilities at the five hydroelectric dams along the river system. The downstream migration of introduced muskellunge <em>Esox masquinongy </em>and upstream range expansions of introduced smallmouth bass <em>Micropterus dolomieu </em>and rainbow trout <em>Oncorhynchus mykiss </em>were observed. Fish species and abundances varied along the river, but the cumulative effects of human activities were not easily identified within the fish assemblage. There may have been a critical threshold within the fish assemblage defined by an accumulation of 20 anthropogenic developments. Cyprinid species declined in abundance and yellow perch <em>Perca flavescens </em>and brown bullhead <em>Ameiurus nebulosus </em>increased in abundance downstream of this apparent threshold.

scholarly journals Structure and integrity of fish assemblages in streams associated to conservation units in Central Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Belisário d'Araújo Couto ◽  
Pedro De Podestà Uchôa de Aquino
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
River Continuum ◽  
Conservation Units ◽  
Central Brazil

This study aims to characterize the spatial and seasonal distribution of the fish assemblage and evaluate the integrity of streams in a sustainable use area that includes integral protection conservation units in Distrito Federal, Central Brazil (Cerrado biome). For the study, 12 stretches of 8 streams were sampled in 2008 (dry season) and 2009 (wet season). For that evaluation was estimated the Physical Habitat Index (PHI), vegetation cover (VC), pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and conductivity. We recorded 22 species, about eight undescribed species, by a total of 2,327 individuals. The most representative families in number of species were Characidae (31.8%), Loricariidae (31.8%), and Crenuchidae (13.6%). Knodus moenkhausii was the most abundant species with 1,476 individuals, added to Astyanax sp., Phalloceros harpagos, and Hasemania sp. they represent over 95% of the total abundance. The species Astyanax sp. (occurring in 79.2% of the stretches) and K. moenkhausii (50.0%) were considered constant in both seasons. The longitudinal gradient (River Continuum) exerts a strong influence on the studied assemblage. According to CCA, the variables that structure the fish assemblage are based on aspects related to water volume and habitat complexity. No seasonal variation in richness, diversity, abundance, and mass were detected. A cluster analysis suggests a separation of species composition between the stretches of higher and lower orders, which was not observed for seasonality. The streams were considered well preserved (mean PHI 82.9±7.5%), but in some stretches were observed anthropogenic influence, detected in the water quality and, mainly, on the riparian vegetation integrity. The exotic species Poecilia reticulata was sampled in the two stretches considered most affected by anthropogenic activities by PHI, conductivity, and VC.

scholarly journals Evaluation of fish passage through the Igarapé Dam fish ladder (rio Paraopeba, Brazil), using marking and recapture

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Bernardo Mascarenhas Alves
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Retention Time ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Community Studies ◽  
Tag Retention ◽  
Fish Ladder ◽  
Pimelodus Maculatus

Rio Paraopeba, a tributary of rio São Francisco, has a six-meter high dam, built in 1978 to divert water to the Igarapé Thermal Power Plant. In 1994, a fish ladder was built at this dam. The results of a marking and recapture program carried out along rio Paraopeba between 1997 and 2001 are described, using information from fish community studies conducted at ten sampling stations between 1994 and 1997. These investigations showed the presence of at least 91 species in the river. During four rainy seasons between 1997 and 2000, fish were caught downstream of the dam, marked with external plastic tags, and immediately released at the same site. The objective was to evaluate fish passage through the ladder, based on recapture information from artisanal and sport fishermen. A total of 3,642 specimens were marked, adding up to a biomass of approximately 1.33 tons. Twenty-six species were used, representing 28.5% of the total recorded richness (91 species). Maximum recorded tag retention time was 10 months. Total recapture rate was 4.37% in four years, reaching 5.75% in the last period (2000-2001). Of all recaptured specimens, 14.0% were caught upstream of the dam, evidencing passage through the ladder. The specimens recaptured upstream of the dam belonged to three species: piau-verdadeiro (Leporinus obtusidens), mandi-amarelo (Pimelodus maculatus) and curimatá-pioa (Prochilodus costatus). These species showed linear home ranges of 15.4, 81.5 and 232.0 km, respectively. Most recaptures occurred immediately downstream of the dam, one of the most intensely fished stretches of rio Paraopeba.

scholarly journals Culverts in paved roads as suitable passages for Neotropical fish species

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Makrakis ◽  
Theodore Castro-Santos ◽  
Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis ◽  
Ricardo Luiz Wagner ◽  
Maurício Spagnolo Adames
Keyword(s):  
Fish Passage ◽  
Fish Movement ◽  
Upstream Migration ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Neotropical Fish ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Medium Risk ◽  
Fall Height ◽  
Additional Monitoring ◽  
Spawning Success

Improperly installed or poorly maintained culverts can pose a serious threat to fish by disrupting their habitat and endangering spawning success. Road culverts that are not designed for fish passage frequently can become obstacles. This can be especially problematic for migratory species, but can lead to fragmentation of resident populations as well. This study evaluated 40 culverts of 29 sites within a 25-km radius from Toledo city, Paraná State, southern Brazil, with respect to their likely effects on movement of the local ichthyofauna. We collected data on the shape and length of culverts, culvert material, waterfall height, water column depth, slope, and estimated flow velocity. Culverts were categorized by level of barrier risk for upstream migration: high, medium, low, and impassable, as well as the type of barrier posed (fall height, depth, length and velocity). Most of culverts analyzed were considered potential barriers to fish movement, with 45% classified as impassible, 45% as high risk, 10% as medium risk, and no culverts as low risk. Brazilian culverts as fishways will require additional monitoring and studies to corroborate the premises proposed in the present study. Road culvert projects that are properly built and maintained will be able to simultaneously improve function of roadways and protect fish populations.

scholarly journals Seasonal flooding, instream habitat structure and fish assemblages in the Mulgrave River, north-east Queensland: towards a new conceptual framework for understanding fish-habitat dynamics in small tropical rivers

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Rayner ◽  
Bradley J. Pusey ◽  
Richard G. Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Assemblage Structure ◽  
Tropical Rivers ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Seasonal Flooding ◽  
North East ◽  
Habitat Dynamics

Strong relationships between seasonal flooding, instream habitat structure and fish assemblages have been well documented in large tropical rivers (e.g. the flood pulse concept). However, the mechanics of these relationships are likely to differ substantially in smaller coastal rivers, such as those in Costa Rica, south-east Brazil and Australia’s Wet Tropics. These systems typically feature steep upland streams with short, deeply incised lowland channels and poorly connected floodplains. This hypothesis was investigated by documenting spatial and temporal variation in fish-habitat relationships in the Mulgrave River, north-east Queensland. Sampling was conducted at four lowland sites under a range of flow conditions, from dry-season baseflows to a one-in-ten-year flood. Longitudinal environmental gradients and fine-scale habitat patches were important in regulating fish assemblage structure during the dry season. However, high wet-season flows, constrained by the deep channel, acted as disturbances rather than gentle flood-pulses. In particular, the mobilisation of bed sediments led to scouring of aquatic vegetation and a dramatic reduction in habitat heterogeneity. Seasonal movements of fish led to significant changes in assemblage structure – from a community dominated by Neosilurus ater, Hypseleotris compressa, Awaous acritosus and Redigobius bikolanus during the dry season, to one dominated by Nematalosa erebi, Ambassis agrammus and Glossamia aprion during the wet season. Based on these observations, together with information from the literature, a conceptual model of fish-habitat dynamics is presented that is better suited to small tropical rivers than those developed in larger systems with expansive floodplains.

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