Larvae occurrences of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) in an area under dam influence in the upper Paraná River region, Brazil

Rhamdia quelen (Jundiá) is a catfish species of great interest to fish producers and researchers due to several favorable characteristics for inclusion in the Brazilian list of commercially raised fish. It has a wide geographical distribution, with occurrences reported from Central Argentina to South Mexico. Studies on the biological aspects of this species have been limited to captive adult fishes that were researched for farming purposes. Research related to ichthyoplankton has provided valuable information on spawning periods and sites and other aspects of breeding for numerous species of fish. This information is crucial for implementing management and protection strategies for these species. The studied floodplain is located in a lotic remnant between the Reservoirs of Itaipu and Engenheiro Sérgio Motta. This area is located inside a protected area (Ilha Grande National Park) in the last portion of dam-free land along the Paraná River in the Brazilian territory; however, it is still threatened by the negative effects of the dams. We conducted monthly nocturnal collections during four periods from October to March, 2003 to 2007, in 22 locations along the main channel, secondary lakes and main tributaries of the Paraná River. After collection, the individuals were classified according to the degree of development and the notochord flexion and caudal fin support elements. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA and Pearson correlation to relate abiotic and larval density data. The increase of capture abundances in the four studied stages suggests that R. quelen is finding conditions that are favorable to its reproduction. The increase in captures can generate questions regarding R. quelen reproductive activity, for instance, whether the species is adapting or is influenced by environmental changes created by the Paraná River dams.

Download Full-text

Fish larvae from the upper Paraná River: do abiotic factors affect larval density?

Neotropical Ichthyology ◽

10.1590/s1679-62252008000400002 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 551-558 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Gilmar Baumgartner ◽

Keshiyu Nakatani ◽

Luiz Carlos Gomes ◽

Andréa Bialetzki ◽

Paulo Vanderlei Sanches ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fish Larvae ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Larval Density ◽

Principal Component ◽

Paraná River ◽

The Other ◽

Parana River ◽

Upper Paraná River ◽

Iheringichthys Labrosus

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of abiotic factors on fish larvae occurrence. Samplings were carried out monthly at 12 stations (grouped in four areas) in the Amambaí, Ivaí and Paraná rivers and in the Itaipu Reservoir (upper Paraná River basin), from October 1994 to January 1995 (spawning season). Simultaneously, we obtained water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, water level, water velocity, and rainfall. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Detrended Correspondence Analyses (DCA) were applied to summarize abiotic and larvae density data, respectively. Amambaí River differed significantly from the other areas in relation to abiotic factors. Itaipu Reservoir differed significantly from the other areas considering species composition, and the Ivaí River also differed from the Paraná River. The relationship among PCA and DCA axes were significant, indicating that abiotic factors do influence larva. For example: Leporinus elongatus prefered the Amambaí River, Hypophthalmus edentatus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, and Hoplias aff. malabaricus the Itaipu Reservoir, and Pimelodus maculatus, Auchenipterus osteomystax and Iheringichthys labrosus the Ivaí River. We suggest that species selected some abiotic factors characteristic to a given environment as spawning grounds.

Download Full-text

Reproductive aspects of piranhas Serrasalmus spilopleura and Serrasalmus marginatus into the Upper Paraná River, Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842003000100002 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

C. S. Agostinho

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Reproductive Activity ◽

Paraná River ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Parana River ◽

Recruitment Failure ◽

Feeding Territory ◽

Invading Species ◽

Marked Decline ◽

Upper Paraná River

Construction of the Itaipu Dam, 150 km downstream from Sete Quedas Falls, resulted in the drowning of that natural geographic barrier, with consequent invasion of Serrasalmus marginatus in the upper stream. This event was followed by the reduction in the abundance of the native species, S. spilopleura. Analyzes of reproductive activity these species revealed that in lotic waters S. marginatus had a very intense reproductive activity while activity of S. spilopleura was nil. This, probably made it possible for the invading species to occupy new environments into the Upper Paraná River, using the river as an entry port. In the 1987-1988 period there was a marked decline in reproductive activity of S. spilopleura reflecting the negative effects of its interaction with the invading species, S. marginatus. The assertiveness of S. marginatus in caring for its offspring and aggressiveness in establishing its feeding territory may be the determining factor for its competitive superiority over S. spilopleura, and consequently its success in colonizing the Upper Paraná River. In addition to the negative interference of S. marginatus, a possible recruitment failure of S. spilopleura could have benefited the colonization of the floodplain by the invader species.

Download Full-text

Long-term trends of fishery landings and target fish populations in the lower La Plata basin

Neotropical Ichthyology ◽

10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Pablo A. Scarabotti ◽

Luis O. Lucifora ◽

Luis A. Espínola ◽

Ana P. Rabuffetti ◽

Jorge Liotta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Ecosystem Approach ◽

Paraná River ◽

Population Trends ◽

Fish Populations ◽

Data Sets ◽

La Plata ◽

Parana River ◽

La Plata Basin ◽

Target Fish

Abstract The La Plata basin is the second largest basin of South America and has supported important river fisheries for more than a century. In this paper, we evaluate for the first time the historical trends of landings of 21 fish taxa and the recent population trends of 27 species of commercial fishes in the lower La Plata basin (Argentina). We compiled three kinds of data sets: Total fishery landings (between 1934 and 1986) and exports (1994‒2019), fisheries monitoring programs of Chaco and Santa Fe provinces in the Paraná River (2009‒2019), and surveys of fish populations in the Upper (Corrientes, 1993‒2020) and Middle (EBIPES, 2005‒2020) Paraná River. The analysis of the historical landings showed more species declining in the lower portion of the basin than in the upper basin. Regarding recent population trends, Pimelodus spp., Hoplias spp., Salminus brasiliensis, Luciopimelodus pati, and Ageneiosus spp. declined in more than one region, while Megaleporinus spp., Pterodoras granulosus, and Oxydoras kneri showed stable to positive trends, with the other species varying in their trends between regions. These tendencies could be associated to a combination of factors such as overfishing and environmental changes that would require an ecosystem approach for their adequate management.

Download Full-text

Periphytic algae of the Garças Lake, Upper Paraná River floodplain: comparing the years 1994 and 2004

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842009000300002 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 69 (2 suppl) ◽

pp. 459-468 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

EA. Murakami ◽

DC. Bicudo ◽

L. Rodrigues

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Hydrological Regime ◽

Paraná River ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

River Floodplain ◽

Periphytic Algae ◽

Parana River ◽

Upper Paraná River Floodplain ◽

Upper Paraná River ◽

Paraná River Floodplain

The changes imposed by dams on hydrological regime, water transparence and nutrient concentrations downstream affect biodiversity in relation to species richness and specific composition of the community. The aim of this work was evaluate this effect on periphyton, comparing richness and composition of periphytic algae in the Garças Lake, Upper Paraná River floodplain, between the years 1994, before construction of the Porto Primavera Reservoir, and after its operation in 2004. This floodplain lake showed an increase in species, from 113 in 1994 to 159 in 2004. A few species, however, were common during the last year, dominated by Zygnemaphyceae and some Bacillariophyceae species. The increase in algal diversity in 2004 may be the result of the ability of the system to adapt to environmental changes. However, the large change in the periphyton species composition suggests further impacts on the food web, demanding continuity of long-term studies in order to determine their consequences on the biodiversity as a whole.

Download Full-text

ENSO signals in South America: rains and floods in the Paraná River region during colonial times

Climatic Change ◽

10.1007/s10584-006-9188-1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 83 (1-2) ◽

pp. 39-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

María del Rosario Prieto

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Paraná River ◽

Parana River ◽

River Region

Download Full-text

Environmental changes and human work in the region of the Upper Paraná River floodplain: processes and interactions

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842009000300013 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 69 (2 suppl) ◽

pp. 583-589 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

EA. Tomanik ◽

LM. Paiola ◽

JB. Martínez-Fernández ◽

SL. Fernandes

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Work Relationships ◽

Paraná River ◽

River Floodplain ◽

Parana River ◽

Two Factors ◽

Upper Paraná River Floodplain ◽

Upper Paraná River ◽

Paraná River Floodplain ◽

Working And Living Conditions

The environment and society constitute a complex of elements and interactions. Thus, an understanding of the processes in which the environment and psychosocial elements are involved may not be gained from knowledge of just one isolated variable. Based on such premises, the present paper, which summarizes the results of a series of studies, adopts work relationships as its main focus, but in addition, it has two complementary objectives. One is to present some analyses on the interaction between human actions and the environmental changes that have been taking place in the region of the Upper Paraná River floodplain and in its boundaries. A secondary aim is to show how those two factors have been changing people's working and living conditions and the identity configuration of some of the human groups that live at that site.

Download Full-text

Seasonal variation in larval density of Limnoperna fortunei (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers, in the region of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Southern Brazil

Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology ◽

10.1590/s1516-89132008000300023 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 607-612 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Débora Pestana ◽

Marcio Roberto Pie ◽

Antonio Ostrensky ◽

Walter Antonio Boeger ◽

Cleverson Andreoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

Larval Density ◽

Reproductive Activity ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Limnoperna Fortunei ◽

Parana River ◽

Density Peaks ◽

Invasive Mussel ◽

Collection Point ◽

Iguaçu River

The larval density of the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) was monitored from January 2005 to February 2006 at two points along the Paraná and the Iguaçu Rivers, near Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil. The results indicated two density peaks in the Paraná River: a lower peak between March and June and a higher peak in October. In the Iguaçu River, the values were much lower, yet they also showed a peak between September and October. A reduction in the reproductive activity was observed in both the rivers between July and August. The average larval density at the collection point in the Paraná reached 948.5 larvae/m³, with a peak of 2,999.5 larvae/m³ in October. The present study represented the first quantification of the larval density of L. fortunei in the lower reaches of the Iguaçu River, downstream of the Iguaçu falls.

Download Full-text

Effects of the hydrological regime on the ichthyofauna of riverine environments of the Upper Paraná River floodplain

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842009000300021 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 69 (2 suppl) ◽

pp. 669-680 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

R. Fernandes ◽

AA. Agostinho ◽

EA. Ferreira ◽

CS. Pavanelli ◽

HI. Suzuki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Hydrological Cycle ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Principal Component ◽

Paraná River ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Long Distance ◽

Parana River ◽

Upper Paraná River

In this work, spatial and temporal variations in the diversity (species richness and Simpson's Diversity Index) and abundance (indexed by the capture per unit effort - CPUE; total and for reproductive groups) of fish from three rivers (Baía, Ivinheima and Paraná) located in a floodplain of the Upper Paraná River basin were analyzed over a period of 20 years (1987-2007). In addition, we evaluated the relationships of these ecological attributes with variations in the hydrologic regime, considering the possible effects of natural (climatic events) and artificial (discharge control by dams) disturbances. Annual variations in hydrometric attributes were calculated using PULSO software and daily water level data. We applied analysis of covariance to determine the relationships between ecological and hydrometric attributes, the latter summarized in axes of a principal component analysis. Lower values of the fish assemblage attributes (diversity and abundance) were registered in the Paraná River. Species richness, total CPUE and CPUE of long-distance migratory species were positively related to the duration of the floods and the connectivity of the area. Variations in the annual hydrological cycle and their effects on fish assemblage appear to be affected by extreme natural (ENSO) and artificial (discharge control by dams) events.

Download Full-text

Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 larvae in different environments of a Neotropical floodplain: relationships of abiotic variables and phytoplankton with different stages of development

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.15514 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 154-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Ernandes-Silva ◽

F. H. Ragonha ◽

S. Jati ◽

A. M. Takeda

Keyword(s):

Principal Component ◽

Paraná River ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Limnoperna Fortunei ◽

Freshwater Bivalve ◽

Larval Stages ◽

Parana River ◽

Spatial Differences ◽

Upper Paraná River Floodplain ◽

Abiotic Variables

Abstract Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 is an Asian invasive freshwater bivalve. Although there need to contain their spread, studies about the biology of the larvae are scarce. We correlated the larval stages of L. fortunei with biotic factors such as phytoplankton and main abiotic variables in lotic environments of the Upper Paraná River floodplain. The four samples were taken quarterly during the year 2012. The Principal component analysis (PCA) showed only spatial differences, as did a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). High densities of larvae were recorded in all samples the Paraná River and Baía River only in December, especially those in their initial stage. In the biovolume of Class of algae, Bacillarophyceae showed the highest value, but Chlorophycea who was strongly correlated with the density of D-stage larvae. The large variety of phytoplankton, especially microplankton Chlorophyceae, high values of PO4, NH4 and temperature were positively correlated with high densities of D-stage larvae. We conclude that high temperature, and food availability, indicated by phytoplankton community, favored the reproduction of L. fortunei and enhance the ability of specie dispersion due to the increase in the emission of propagules. Therefore, studies that address the biology of golden mussel larvae should be performed in order to prevent its spread.

Download Full-text