Estudo da alimentação dos peixes no rio Grande à jusante da usina hidrelétrica de Itutinga, Minas Gerais, Brasil

The aquatic biota of the Paraná river basin has been impacted by several dams. This study aimed characterize and compare seasonally the fish feeding of Grande river fish fauna, downstream from Itutinga Power Plant. In this river stretch it is expected the reduction of seasonal effects due to flow regulation. Data collection was conducted in January and July 2010 with gill nets and trawls. The fishes were fixed in formalin and preserved in alcohol for stomach contents analysis. The diet was characterized by Feeding Index (IA) and the guilds each species belongs was determined by the ² test. The feeding of each species and the occurrence of food items were compared in periods of drought and rain using nMDS and SIMPER analysis. We analyzed 809 stomachs from 32 fish species categorized in piscivorous, herbivorous, ilyophagous/detritivorous, ilyophagous, algivorous, frugivorous, invertivorous and generalists guilds; the generalists had the highest species richness. The nMDS indicated lower diet diversification in July, when it was observed an increase of plant, invertebrate and sediment occurrences. However, differences in diet were lower than expected. This study expanded knowledge about fish feeding habits and local dam effects on species diet as a result of flow regulation.

A biota aquática da bacia do rio Paraná tem sido impactada por várias barragens. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar e comparar sazonalmente a alimentação dos peixes do rio Grande, à jusante da usina de Itutinga. Neste trecho de rio é esperada a redução do efeito sazonal devido à regulação do fluxo. A coleta foi realizada em janeiro e julho de 2010, com redes de emalhar e de arrasto. Os peixes foram fixados em formol e conservados em álcool para a análise dos conteúdos estomacais. A dieta foi caracterizada pelo índice alimentar (IA) e a guilda a que cada espécie pertence foi determinado pelo teste de ². A alimentação de cada espécie e a ocorrência dos itens alimentares foram comparadas nos períodos de seca e chuva utilizando-se as análises de nMDS e SIMPER. Foram analisados 809 estômagos de 32 espécies de peixes categorizadas nas guildas piscívora, herbívora, iliófaga/detritívora, algívora, frugívora, invertívora e generalista, sendo esta a guilda de maior riqueza de espécies. O nMDS indicou menor diversificação na dieta em julho, quando foi observado um aumento na ocorrência de vegetal, invertebrados e sedimento. Este estudo ampliou o conhecimento dos hábitos alimentares dos peixes e o efeito do barramento local sobre a dieta das espécies em virtude da regularização do fluxo.

Estudo da alimentação dos peixes no rio Grande à jusante da usina hidrelétrica de Itutinga, Minas Gerais, Brasil

The aquatic biota of the Paraná river basin has been impacted by several dams. This study aimed characterize and compare seasonally the fish feeding of Grande river fish fauna, downstream from Itutinga Power Plant. In this river stretch it is expected the reduction of seasonal effects due to flow regulation. Data collection was conducted in January and July 2010 with gill nets and trawls. The fishes were fixed in formalin and preserved in alcohol for stomach contents analysis. The diet was characterized by Feeding Index (IA) and the guilds each species belongs was determined by the ² test. The feeding of each species and the occurrence of food items were compared in periods of drought and rain using nMDS and SIMPER analysis. We analyzed 809 stomachs from 32 fish species categorized in piscivorous, herbivorous, ilyophagous/detritivorous, ilyophagous, algivorous, frugivorous, invertivorous and generalists guilds; the generalists had the highest species richness. The nMDS indicated lower diet diversification in July, when it was observed an increase of plant, invertebrate and sediment occurrences. However, differences in diet were lower than expected. This study expanded knowledge about fish feeding habits and local dam effects on species diet as a result of flow regulation.

A biota aquática da bacia do rio Paraná tem sido impactada por várias barragens. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar e comparar sazonalmente a alimentação dos peixes do rio Grande, à jusante da usina de Itutinga. Neste trecho de rio é esperada a redução do efeito sazonal devido à regulação do fluxo. A coleta foi realizada em janeiro e julho de 2010, com redes de emalhar e de arrasto. Os peixes foram fixados em formol e conservados em álcool para a análise dos conteúdos estomacais. A dieta foi caracterizada pelo índice alimentar (IA) e a guilda a que cada espécie pertence foi determinado pelo teste de ². A alimentação de cada espécie e a ocorrência dos itens alimentares foram comparadas nos períodos de seca e chuva utilizando-se as análises de nMDS e SIMPER. Foram analisados 809 estômagos de 32 espécies de peixes categorizadas nas guildas piscívora, herbívora, iliófaga/detritívora, algívora, frugívora, invertívora e generalista, sendo esta a guilda de maior riqueza de espécies. O nMDS indicou menor diversificação na dieta em julho, quando foi observado um aumento na ocorrência de vegetal, invertebrados e sedimento. Este estudo ampliou o conhecimento dos hábitos alimentares dos peixes e o efeito do barramento local sobre a dieta das espécies em virtude da regularização do fluxo.

Downstream passage of fish larvae and eggs through a small-sized reservoir, Mucuri river, Brazil

In South America, one important symptom of the failure of fish passages to sustain fish migratory recruitment is the inability of eggs and larvae to reach the nurseries. This is especially so when the breeding areas are located upstream of a reservoir, and the floodplain is downstream of the dam. Therefore, the transport of fish larvae and eggs across reservoir barriers is a key factor in the development of effective conservation strategies. In this paper, we evaluate the potential for migratory fish larvae and egg transportation across a small size reservoir in eastern Brazil. We sampled fish daily between 15th October 2002 and 15th February 2003 (spawning period) in the Mucuri River, immediately upstream of the reservoir and downstream of the Santa Clara Power Plant dam. Our study was the first to indicate the possibility of successful larval passage through the reservoir of a hydroelectric reservoir and dam in South America, and showed that the passage of migratory fish larvae was associated significantly with residence time of water in the reservoir. The relatively short water residence time and elevated turbidity of the Santa Clara's reservoir waters during the rainy season certainly contributed to the successful passage, and can be considered as key factors for a priori evaluations of the feasibility of a downstream larval passage.

Downstream passage of fish larvae and eggs through a small-sized reservoir, Mucuri river, Brazil

In South America, one important symptom of the failure of fish passages to sustain fish migratory recruitment is the inability of eggs and larvae to reach the nurseries. This is especially so when the breeding areas are located upstream of a reservoir, and the floodplain is downstream of the dam. Therefore, the transport of fish larvae and eggs across reservoir barriers is a key factor in the development of effective conservation strategies. In this paper, we evaluate the potential for migratory fish larvae and egg transportation across a small size reservoir in eastern Brazil. We sampled fish daily between 15th October 2002 and 15th February 2003 (spawning period) in the Mucuri River, immediately upstream of the reservoir and downstream of the Santa Clara Power Plant dam. Our study was the first to indicate the possibility of successful larval passage through the reservoir of a hydroelectric reservoir and dam in South America, and showed that the passage of migratory fish larvae was associated significantly with residence time of water in the reservoir. The relatively short water residence time and elevated turbidity of the Santa Clara's reservoir waters during the rainy season certainly contributed to the successful passage, and can be considered as key factors for a priori evaluations of the feasibility of a downstream larval passage.

Downstream passage of fish larvae and eggs through a small-sized reservoir, Mucuri river, Brazil

In South America, one important symptom of the failure of fish passages to sustain fish migratory recruitment is the inability of eggs and larvae to reach the nurseries. This is especially so when the breeding areas are located upstream of a reservoir, and the floodplain is downstream of the dam. Therefore, the transport of fish larvae and eggs across reservoir barriers is a key factor in the development of effective conservation strategies. In this paper, we evaluate the potential for migratory fish larvae and egg transportation across a small size reservoir in eastern Brazil. We sampled fish daily between 15th October 2002 and 15th February 2003 (spawning period) in the Mucuri River, immediately upstream of the reservoir and downstream of the Santa Clara Power Plant dam. Our study was the first to indicate the possibility of successful larval passage through the reservoir of a hydroelectric reservoir and dam in South America, and showed that the passage of migratory fish larvae was associated significantly with residence time of water in the reservoir. The relatively short water residence time and elevated turbidity of the Santa Clara's reservoir waters during the rainy season certainly contributed to the successful passage, and can be considered as key factors for a priori evaluations of the feasibility of a downstream larval passage.

Swimming performance of the small characin Bryconamericus stramineus (Characiformes: Characidae)

Very little research has been conducted on the swimming capacity of Neotropical fish. The few studies available have focused on large migratory species. The present study used fixed and increasing velocity tests to determine prolonged and sustained speeds of the "pequira", Bryconamericus stramineus Eigenmann, 1908, a small, abundant species found in fish passages implemented at the Paraná basin, Brazil. The results of increasing velocity tests showed significant relationships between critical speeds, total and standard lengths, and body weight. When compared with other Neotropical fish, the "pequira" is able to swim faster than individuals of other species of similar length. The point of change from sustained to prolonged swimming was found to occur at an approximate speed of 8.7 lengths per second. These data provide guidance and criteria for design and proper maintenance of structures such as fishways, fish screens and other systems that aim to facilitate or avoid upstream passages as part of management strategies.

Swimming performance of the small characin Bryconamericus stramineus (Characiformes: Characidae)

Very little research has been conducted on the swimming capacity of Neotropical fish. The few studies available have focused on large migratory species. The present study used fixed and increasing velocity tests to determine prolonged and sustained speeds of the "pequira", Bryconamericus stramineus Eigenmann, 1908, a small, abundant species found in fish passages implemented at the Paraná basin, Brazil. The results of increasing velocity tests showed significant relationships between critical speeds, total and standard lengths, and body weight. When compared with other Neotropical fish, the "pequira" is able to swim faster than individuals of other species of similar length. The point of change from sustained to prolonged swimming was found to occur at an approximate speed of 8.7 lengths per second. These data provide guidance and criteria for design and proper maintenance of structures such as fishways, fish screens and other systems that aim to facilitate or avoid upstream passages as part of management strategies.

Swimming performance of the small characin Bryconamericus stramineus (Characiformes: Characidae)

Very little research has been conducted on the swimming capacity of Neotropical fish. The few studies available have focused on large migratory species. The present study used fixed and increasing velocity tests to determine prolonged and sustained speeds of the "pequira", Bryconamericus stramineus Eigenmann, 1908, a small, abundant species found in fish passages implemented at the Paraná basin, Brazil. The results of increasing velocity tests showed significant relationships between critical speeds, total and standard lengths, and body weight. When compared with other Neotropical fish, the "pequira" is able to swim faster than individuals of other species of similar length. The point of change from sustained to prolonged swimming was found to occur at an approximate speed of 8.7 lengths per second. These data provide guidance and criteria for design and proper maintenance of structures such as fishways, fish screens and other systems that aim to facilitate or avoid upstream passages as part of management strategies.