A stakeholder-engaged approach to evaluating spawning aggregation management as a strategy for conserving bonefish (Albula vulpes) in Cuba.

Animals that congregate in large numbers to reproduce in spatially and temporally distinct locations are particularly susceptible to overexploitation. Many fishes form spawning aggregations that are intentionally targeted given ease of capture. Bonefish (Albula spp.) species aggregate to spawn and are culturally and economically important, but generally lack management such as spawning area protections to ensure that fisheries are sustainable. Here, we use Cuba as a case study to inform the development and refinement of management strategies for bonefish. Recommendations for the management of bonefish pre-spawning aggregations were based on international experiences, which have been adapted to the Cuban context from results of surveys and interviews with Cuban fisheries professionals and fishing guides. The achievability and feasibility of recommendations were further reviewed by additional experts in the field of fisheries, management and Cuban policy. The process revealed extensive data-limitations for bonefish fisheries and underscored the importance of including fishing guides, local ecological knowledge and the context of marine protected areas in Cuba for bonefish management. Recommendations include (1) initiating information exchange between Cuban management agencies and third-party institutions related to bonefish management; (2) utilizing local ecological knowledge to gather information, formulate management strategies and enforce regulations; (3) implementing spatial and temporal management measures for bonefish spawning sites; (4) using what is already in place, by protecting spawning sites in the context of existing marine protected areas; (5) collaborating with all stakeholders to manage bonefish spawning sites; and (6) reducing the commercial harvest of the species. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10641-022-01355-0.

Fishway in hydropower dams: a scientometric analysis.

Building dams for hydroelectric use causes several negative effects on the aquatic fauna with special attention to fish communities. In fact, among other impacts, dams act as a barrier for migratory fish, causing discontinuities in rivers and not allowing fish to move to the headwaters to breed and back to the lower portions of rivers, to grow. For more than 300 years, fishways have been used to minimize the impact of dams. Here, we assess the worldwide knowledge about fishways, identifying the temporal and spatial pattern and the situation of Brazil in this global pattern. For this, we conducted scientometric research on the Web of Science repository with the following words: weir, fish, facilities, ladder, pass, dam, fish ladder, fish pass, fishway, hydropower, Petromyzon, and salmon between 1985 and 2019. Initially, we obtained 1282 articles. After a selection, 324 articles aimed to describe fishway efficiency and the relationship with the fish fauna remained. Most of the articles on dams, fishways, and fish are from North America and Europe. Among the articles in South America, most are from Brazil. Nonetheless, information on the topic is incipient in Brazil, since the country has one of the biggest hydropower in the world and 42 scientific articles about fishways published in the international scientific database. Ecology is the area of knowledge with most articles, with continuous growth in the last 10 years. Studies in the field of ecology are strategical, as this field can integrate different areas of knowledge to test the efficiency of fishways in fish conservation and may be able to answer the question: "Are fishways an ecological trap?" Research focusing on this question is important to understand the efficiency of fishways to better evaluate solutions to minimize the negative effects of dams on fish and increase the effectiveness of fishways.

Embryonic development of a mountainous fish species Garracambodgiensis (Tirant, 1883) in southern Thailand

This study examined the artificial breeding and embryonic development of a mountainous fish species Garra cambodgiensis (Tirant, 1883) found in Promlok waterfall in Khaoluang National park, Phromkhiri district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The fishes were collected from June 2017- January 2018 and kept in aquaria. Afterward, the brood males and females were selected and injected with buserelin (LHRHa) (10 µg/kg body weight) and domperidone (10 mg/kgbody weight). After the injections, both females and males were kept together in the water at a proportion of 3 females: 1male. The fertilization of eggs started after 4 hours and 30minutes. The fertilized eggs were greenish-grey and semi-buoyant. After fertilization, one blastodisc turned into 2 equalsized blastomeres, and then each cell divided into 4, 8, 16, 32,64 cells respectively. The morula stage went to the blastula stage in about 3hr and 28 min, to gastrula stage in about 5 hr and 11 min, and to the somite stage in about 7 hr and 7 min. The optical vesicles and auditory vesicles developed after approximately 8 hr and 27 min, and 10 hr and 30 min, respectively. After approximately 12 hours and 58 minutes of fertilization, hatching of eggs occurred. Nowadays, the numbers of G. Cambodgienesis are declining rapidly in southern Thailand due to several environmental and anthropogenic reasons. Therefore, it is very important to conserve the populations of G. Cambodgienesis. Artificial breeding could be an effective way to conserve and restore this fish in their natural habitat in southern Thailand.

Embryonic development of a mountainous fish species Garracambodgiensis (Tirant, 1883) in southern Thailand

This study examined the artificial breeding and embryonic development of a mountainous fish species Garra cambodgiensis (Tirant, 1883) found in Promlok waterfall in Khaoluang National park, Phromkhiri district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The fishes were collected from June 2017- January 2018 and kept in aquaria. Afterward, the brood males and females were selected and injected with buserelin (LHRHa) (10 µg/kg body weight) and domperidone (10 mg/kgbody weight). After the injections, both females and males were kept together in the water at a proportion of 3 females: 1male. The fertilization of eggs started after 4 hours and 30minutes. The fertilized eggs were greenish-grey and semi-buoyant. After fertilization, one blastodisc turned into 2 equalsized blastomeres, and then each cell divided into 4, 8, 16, 32,64 cells respectively. The morula stage went to the blastula stage in about 3hr and 28 min, to gastrula stage in about 5 hr and 11 min, and to the somite stage in about 7 hr and 7 min. The optical vesicles and auditory vesicles developed after approximately 8 hr and 27 min, and 10 hr and 30 min, respectively. After approximately 12 hours and 58 minutes of fertilization, hatching of eggs occurred. Nowadays, the numbers of G. Cambodgienesis are declining rapidly in southern Thailand due to several environmental and anthropogenic reasons. Therefore, it is very important to conserve the populations of G. Cambodgienesis. Artificial breeding could be an effective way to conserve and restore this fish in their natural habitat in southern Thailand.(AU)

Water acidification causes death of marine ornamental fish (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) during transport: contributing to the conservation of wild populations

Pomacentridae is a common family in the aquarium fish trade. Most species are harvested from nature. Here we evaluate the following water parameters in the pomacentrid sergeant major, Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758), to assess their stress level during a 24, 48, and 72 hours transport: dissolved oxygen (DO), total ammonia, and pH. In addition, we evaluated the following physiological parameters: plasma osmolality, muscle water content, blood glucose, and the enzyme activities of the branchial carbonic anhydrase (CA), the hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The mortality of fish measuring >6 cm total length was 22%, while no mortality was observed for fish measuring <6 cm. The pH of the water was significantly correlated with fish mortality, especially for the initial 24 hours of transport. Hypoxia after 24-48 hours also led to fish mortality, but build up ammonia was not a problem even after 72 hours. We suggest that a minimum water volume of 125 ml/g fish is necessary for safe and cost-effective transport of the sergeant major, preferably with <6 cm in total length.(AU)

Water acidification causes death of marine ornamental fish (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) during transport: contributing to the conservation of wild populations

Pomacentridae is a common family in the aquarium fish trade. Most species are harvested from nature. Here we evaluate the following water parameters in the pomacentrid sergeant major, Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758), to assess their stress level during a 24, 48, and 72 hours transport: dissolved oxygen (DO), total ammonia, and pH. In addition, we evaluated the following physiological parameters: plasma osmolality, muscle water content, blood glucose, and the enzyme activities of the branchial carbonic anhydrase (CA), the hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The mortality of fish measuring >6 cm total length was 22%, while no mortality was observed for fish measuring <6 cm. The pH of the water was significantly correlated with fish mortality, especially for the initial 24 hours of transport. Hypoxia after 24-48 hours also led to fish mortality, but build up ammonia was not a problem even after 72 hours. We suggest that a minimum water volume of 125 ml/g fish is necessary for safe and cost-effective transport of the sergeant major, preferably with <6 cm in total length.

Low concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide cause complete loss of sperm motility of yellowtail tetra fish Astyanax lacustris.

Environmental relevant concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide as 50 µg l-1 , 300 µg l-1 and 1800 µg l-1 can affect sperm quality of yellowtail tetra fish Astyanax lacustris. Viability of sperm cells was impaired at 300 µg l-1 , a concentration that is within legal limits in U.S.A. waterbodies, while motility was impaired at 50 µg l-1 , which is the more stringent limit set in Brazilian law. Therefore, environment protection agencies must review regulations of glyphosate-based herbicides on water bodies.

A new annual fish of the genus Austrolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from Rio Camaquã basin, Laguna dos Patos system, Brazilian Pampa.

A new species of Austrolebias is described from the middle course of the Rio Camaquã, Laguna dos Patos system, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new species belongs to the Austrolebias alexandri species group, which is distinguished from the remaining congeners by the presence of a dark gray pectoral fin with bright blue iridescence in males. The new species is distinguished from all remaining species of the A. alexandri species group by the following combination of characters: presence of well-defined bright blue bars on the flank in males, shorter caudal fin length in males and females, contact organs in the first three rays of the pectoral fin in males, one to two post-optic neuromasts (rarely three), basihyal width of 50% of the length, and basihyal cartilage about 50-60% of the basihyal length. The recognition of this new species belonging to the A. alexandri group endemic of the middle course of Rio Camaquã and the recent discovery of Austrolebias bagual in the same general region reinforces the claim of the middle Rio Camaquã basin as an area of endemism for annual fishes and as such, a priority area for conservation in southern Brazil.

Redescription of the endangered hypoptopomatine catfish Parotocinclus spilurus (Fowler, 1941) (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Jaguaribe basin, northeastern Brazil

Abstract Parotocinclus spilurus (Fowler) was originally described as a species of Plecostomus based on six specimens collected in the rio Salgado, Icó Municipality, Ceará State, northeastern Brazil. Because the original description of P. spilurus is brief and uninformative, a detailed redescription of this endangered species based on the type series and on freshly collected topotypes was made. Data on osteology, intraspecific variation, sexual dimorphism and color pattern in life are presented for the first time, aiming at providing the necessary characters to differentiate the species from its congeners, as well as providing data on the distribution, habitat and conservation.

Resumo Parotocinclus spilurus (Fowler)foi descrita originalmente como uma espécie do gênero Plecostomus combase em seis espécimes coletados no rio Salgado, Município de Icó, Estado do Ceará. Devido à descrição original de P. spilurus ser breve e pouco informativa, uma redescrição detalhada desta espécieameaçada combase na série tipo e em topótipos recentemente coletados foi feita. Dados de osteologia, variação ontogenética, dimorfismo sexual e padrão de coloração em vida são apresentados pela primeira vez, com o objetivo de fornecer caracteres necessários para distinguir a espécie das suas demais congêneres, assim como fornecer dados de distribuição, habitat e conservação.

Redescription of the endangered hypoptopomatine catfish Parotocinclus spilurus (Fowler, 1941) (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Jaguaribe basin, northeastern Brazil

Parotocinclus spilurus (Fowler) was originally described as a species of Plecostomus based on six specimens collected in the rio Salgado, Icó Municipality, Ceará State, northeastern Brazil. Because the original description of P. spilurus is brief and uninformative, a detailed redescription of this endangered species based on the type series and on freshly collected topotypes was made. Data on osteology, intraspecific variation, sexual dimorphism and color pattern in life are presented for the first time, aiming at providing the necessary characters to differentiate the species from its congeners, as well as providing data on the distribution, habitat and conservation.(AU)

Parotocinclus spilurus (Fowler)foi descrita originalmente como uma espécie do gênero Plecostomus combase em seis espécimes coletados no rio Salgado, Município de Icó, Estado do Ceará. Devido à descrição original de P. spilurus ser breve e pouco informativa, uma redescrição detalhada desta espécieameaçada combase na série tipo e em topótipos recentemente coletados foi feita. Dados de osteologia, variação ontogenética, dimorfismo sexual e padrão de coloração em vida são apresentados pela primeira vez, com o objetivo de fornecer caracteres necessários para distinguir a espécie das suas demais congêneres, assim como fornecer dados de distribuição, habitat e conservação.(AU)

Dams and the fish fauna of the Neotropical region: impacts and management related to diversity and fisheries / Represamentos e a fauna de peixes neotropicais: impactos e manejo relacionados à diversidade e à pesca

Reservoirs have been built in almost all of the hydrographic basins of Brazil. Their purposes include water supply for cities, irrigation and mainly, generation of electricity. There are more than 700 large dams and associated reservoirs in the large rivers of the country. These reservoirs favor local and regional economic development, but they also bring serious and irreversible alterations in the natural hydrologic regime of rivers, affecting habitat quality and the dynamics of the biota. In the impounded area, the main impact is the change from lotic to lentic water, which influences aquatic fauna, including fishes. Impacts of reservoirs present relevant spatiotemporal variations. Immediately after reservoir formation, fish species richness usually increases due to incorporation of surrounding habitats, but richness decreases as reservoirs age. However, impacts downstream of dams appear to be similar or stronger than those that occur within the reservoir. Dams promote discharge control, altering the seasonal cycles of floods. These effects are augmented when dams are constructed in cascades. Therefore, dams profoundly influence composition and structure of fish assemblages. Most affected species are the rheophilics and long distance migratory that require distinct habitats to fulfill their life cycles. Populations of migratory species may collapse or even disappear in intensely regulated stretches. Management actions taken to minimize impacts of dams in Brazil historically considered construction of fish passages, fishery control and stocking. The results of these actions are questionable and/or with clear failures. In this paper, we give emphasis to the Paraná River basin, the most affected by dams in Brazil. We describe some patterns in the alteration and decline in fish diversity in areas influenced by dams. We also discuss negative consequences in the fishery and ecosystems functioning. Finally, we argue the relevance and the success...

No Brasil, reservatórios foram construídos nas principais bacias hidrográficas, para fins de abastecimento humano, irrigação e, principalmente, geração de energia elétrica. Como resultado, praticamente todos os grandes rios estão hoje sob influência de barragens, sendo que mais de 700 grandes reservatórios encontram-se espalhados pelos rios do País. Apesar de importantes para o desenvolvimento econômico, os barramentos promovem alterações graves e irreversíveis no regime hidrológico natural dos rios, alterando também a qualidade dos hábitats e a dinâmica de toda a biota. Na região do reservatório, o principal impacto é decorrente da alteração de ambiente lótico para lêntico, que influencia sobremaneira a fauna aquática, inclusive peixes. Esses impactos apresentam variações temporais e espaciais relevantes. Logo após a formação de um reservatório, há aumento da riqueza de espécies de peixes devido à incorporação de diversos hábitats, que tende a diminuir à medida que o reservatório envelhece. Porém, os impactos a jusante de reservatórios parecem ser tão ou mais importantes que os de montante, devido a alterações no ciclo de cheias sazonais (controle de vazão). Estes efeitos são mais relevantes quando os reservatórios são construídos em cascatas. Barragens, então, causam profundas alterações na composição e estrutura das assembléias de peixes. As espécies mais afetadas são as reofílicas e aquelas que desempenham longas migrações e que precisam de diferentes tipos de hábitats para completar seus ciclos de vida. As populações dessas espécies podem, em certas circunstâncias, entrar em colapso ou mesmo desaparecer. As ações de manejo tomadas para minimizar os impactos das barragens historicamente incluem a construção de mecanismos de transposição e a estocagem, mas com resultados questionáveis e/ou claro insucesso na conservação da ictiofauna. Neste trabalho, será dada ênfase à bacia do alto rio Paraná, a mais afetada por represamentos no Brasil...

Dams and the fish fauna of the Neotropical region: impacts and management related to diversity and fisheries

Reservoirs have been built in almost all of the hydrographic basins of Brazil. Their purposes include water supply for cities, irrigation and mainly, generation of electricity. There are more than 700 large dams and associated reservoirs in the large rivers of the country. These reservoirs favor local and regional economic development, but they also bring serious and irreversible alterations in the natural hydrologic regime of rivers, affecting habitat quality and the dynamics of the biota. In the impounded area, the main impact is the change from lotic to lentic water, which influences aquatic fauna, including fishes. Impacts of reservoirs present relevant spatiotemporal variations. Immediately after reservoir formation, fish species richness usually increases due to incorporation of surrounding habitats, but richness decreases as reservoirs age. However, impacts downstream of dams appear to be similar or stronger than those that occur within the reservoir. Dams promote discharge control, altering the seasonal cycles of floods. These effects are augmented when dams are constructed in cascades. Therefore, dams profoundly influence composition and structure of fish assemblages. Most affected species are the rheophilics and long distance migratory that require distinct habitats to fulfill their life cycles. Populations of migratory species may collapse or even disappear in intensely regulated stretches. Management actions taken to minimize impacts of dams in Brazil historically considered construction of fish passages, fishery control and stocking. The results of these actions are questionable and/or with clear failures. In this paper, we give emphasis to the Paraná River basin, the most affected by dams in Brazil. We describe some patterns in the alteration and decline in fish diversity in areas influenced by dams. We also discuss negative consequences in the fishery and ecosystems functioning. Finally, we argue the relevance and the success of the management actions taken and present some suggestions to improve conservation of the ichthyofauna in South American basins influenced by dams.

No Brasil, reservatórios foram construídos nas principais bacias hidrográficas, para fins de abastecimento humano, irrigação e, principalmente, geração de energia elétrica. Como resultado, praticamente todos os grandes rios estão hoje sob influência de barragens, sendo que mais de 700 grandes reservatórios encontram-se espalhados pelos rios do País. Apesar de importantes para o desenvolvimento econômico, os barramentos promovem alterações graves e irreversíveis no regime hidrológico natural dos rios, alterando também a qualidade dos hábitats e a dinâmica de toda a biota. Na região do reservatório, o principal impacto é decorrente da alteração de ambiente lótico para lêntico, que influencia sobremaneira a fauna aquática, inclusive peixes. Esses impactos apresentam variações temporais e espaciais relevantes. Logo após a formação de um reservatório, há aumento da riqueza de espécies de peixes devido à incorporação de diversos hábitats, que tende a diminuir à medida que o reservatório envelhece. Porém, os impactos a jusante de reservatórios parecem ser tão ou mais importantes que os de montante, devido a alterações no ciclo de cheias sazonais (controle de vazão). Estes efeitos são mais relevantes quando os reservatórios são construídos em cascatas. Barragens, então, causam profundas alterações na composição e estrutura das assembléias de peixes. As espécies mais afetadas são as reofílicas e aquelas que desempenham longas migrações e que precisam de diferentes tipos de hábitats para completar seus ciclos de vida. As populações dessas espécies podem, em certas circunstâncias, entrar em colapso ou mesmo desaparecer. As ações de manejo tomadas para minimizar os impactos das barragens historicamente incluem a construção de mecanismos de transposição e a estocagem, mas com resultados questionáveis e/ou claro insucesso na conservação da ictiofauna. Neste trabalho, será dada ênfase à bacia do alto rio Paraná, a mais afetada por represamentos no Brasil. Serão abordados os padrões de alterações e declínio da diversidade de peixes, em áreas influenciadas por barragens, e discutidas as conseqüências negativas sobre a atividade pesqueira e funcionamento do ecossistema. Por fim, o trabalho discute a relevância e sucesso das medidas de manejo realizadas até o momento e apresenta sugestões para aperfeiçoar a gestão e conservação da ictiofauna sul-americana.

Dams and the fish fauna of the Neotropical region: impacts and management related to diversity and fisheries

Reservoirs have been built in almost all of the hydrographic basins of Brazil. Their purposes include water supply for cities, irrigation and mainly, generation of electricity. There are more than 700 large dams and associated reservoirs in the large rivers of the country. These reservoirs favor local and regional economic development, but they also bring serious and irreversible alterations in the natural hydrologic regime of rivers, affecting habitat quality and the dynamics of the biota. In the impounded area, the main impact is the change from lotic to lentic water, which influences aquatic fauna, including fishes. Impacts of reservoirs present relevant spatiotemporal variations. Immediately after reservoir formation, fish species richness usually increases due to incorporation of surrounding habitats, but richness decreases as reservoirs age. However, impacts downstream of dams appear to be similar or stronger than those that occur within the reservoir. Dams promote discharge control, altering the seasonal cycles of floods. These effects are augmented when dams are constructed in cascades. Therefore, dams profoundly influence composition and structure of fish assemblages. Most affected species are the rheophilics and long distance migratory that require distinct habitats to fulfill their life cycles. Populations of migratory species may collapse or even disappear in intensely regulated stretches. Management actions taken to minimize impacts of dams in Brazil historically considered construction of fish passages, fishery control and stocking. The results of these actions are questionable and/or with clear failures. In this paper, we give emphasis to the Paraná River basin, the most affected by dams in Brazil. We describe some patterns in the alteration and decline in fish diversity in areas influenced by dams. We also discuss negative consequences in the fishery and ecosystems functioning. Finally, we argue the relevance and the success of the management actions taken and present some suggestions to improve conservation of the ichthyofauna in South American basins influenced by dams.

No Brasil, reservatórios foram construídos nas principais bacias hidrográficas, para fins de abastecimento humano, irrigação e, principalmente, geração de energia elétrica. Como resultado, praticamente todos os grandes rios estão hoje sob influência de barragens, sendo que mais de 700 grandes reservatórios encontram-se espalhados pelos rios do País. Apesar de importantes para o desenvolvimento econômico, os barramentos promovem alterações graves e irreversíveis no regime hidrológico natural dos rios, alterando também a qualidade dos hábitats e a dinâmica de toda a biota. Na região do reservatório, o principal impacto é decorrente da alteração de ambiente lótico para lêntico, que influencia sobremaneira a fauna aquática, inclusive peixes. Esses impactos apresentam variações temporais e espaciais relevantes. Logo após a formação de um reservatório, há aumento da riqueza de espécies de peixes devido à incorporação de diversos hábitats, que tende a diminuir à medida que o reservatório envelhece. Porém, os impactos a jusante de reservatórios parecem ser tão ou mais importantes que os de montante, devido a alterações no ciclo de cheias sazonais (controle de vazão). Estes efeitos são mais relevantes quando os reservatórios são construídos em cascatas. Barragens, então, causam profundas alterações na composição e estrutura das assembléias de peixes. As espécies mais afetadas são as reofílicas e aquelas que desempenham longas migrações e que precisam de diferentes tipos de hábitats para completar seus ciclos de vida. As populações dessas espécies podem, em certas circunstâncias, entrar em colapso ou mesmo desaparecer. As ações de manejo tomadas para minimizar os impactos das barragens historicamente incluem a construção de mecanismos de transposição e a estocagem, mas com resultados questionáveis e/ou claro insucesso na conservação da ictiofauna. Neste trabalho, será dada ênfase à bacia do alto rio Paraná, a mais afetada por represamentos no Brasil. Serão abordados os padrões de alterações e declínio da diversidade de peixes, em áreas influenciadas por barragens, e discutidas as conseqüências negativas sobre a atividade pesqueira e funcionamento do ecossistema. Por fim, o trabalho discute a relevância e sucesso das medidas de manejo realizadas até o momento e apresenta sugestões para aperfeiçoar a gestão e conservação da ictiofauna sul-americana.

Selectivity of fish ladders: a bottleneck in Neotropical fish movement

Although dozens of fish ladders have been constructed at dams of Brazilian reservoirs, there are few studies evaluating their efficiency as a tool for the conservation of Neotropical ichthyofauna, especially for migratory species. Therefore, the present study evaluated the selectivity of the species that entered and ascended the fish ladder located next to Lajeado Dam (Luis Eduardo Magalhães Hydroelectric Power Plant) on the Tocantins River. Samples were taken monthly from November, 2002 through October, 2003, in the resting pools of the ladder, using cast nets, and in the downstream stretch, using gillnets. The selectivity of the ladder in attracting fish was evaluated by comparing the occurrence, relative abundance, dominance and the congruence of abundance ranks of migratory and non-migratory species in the ladder and in the stretch of river immediately downstream. Species richness and fish abundance in the resting pools were used to evaluate selectivity along the ladder. The effects on selectivity by temporal variations in water level downriver and maximum flow velocity in the fish ladder were also analyzed. Out of the 130 species recorded downriver, 62.3% were caught in the ladder, and migratory species were clearly favored. However, more than 2/3 of the catch belonged to only three species (Rhaphiodon vulpinus, Psectrogaster amazonica and Oxydoras niger). Although the majority of the species that entered the ladder were able to reach its top, there was a sharp reduction in abundance of individuals towards the top. Temporal variations in the water level below the dam influenced richness and abundance of fish concentrated downstream and in the ladder, with lower values during periods of low water. In the ladder, a maximum flow velocity of 2.3 m/s, although also selective, proved to be more appropriate for fish ascension than a velocity of 2.8 m/s. It was concluded that the entry and ascension of the fish in the ladder were not congruent with their proportions in the downriver stretch: fish samples in the ladder were clearly dominated by a few species, including some that do not need to be translocated. Thus, selectivity constitutes an important bottleneck to initiatives for translocating fish aimed at conserving their stocks or biodiversity. It is urgent to review the decision-making process for the construction of fish passages and to evaluate the functioning of those already operating.

Dezenas de escadas de peixes foram construídas em barragens de reservatórios brasileiros, mas são raros os estudos acerca de suas eficiências como instrumentos de conservação da ictiofauna Neotropical, em especial de espécies migradoras. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a seletividade específica no ingresso e ascensão de peixes na escada localizada junto à barragem de Lajeado (UHE Luis Eduardo Magalhães, rio Tocantins). Amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente de novembro de 2002 a outubro de 2003 nos tanques de descanso da escada, utilizando tarrafas, e no trecho a jusante, utilizando redes de espera. A avaliação da seletividade no ingresso da escada foi realizada através da comparação da ocorrência, abundância relativa, dominância e congruência dos ranks de abundância de espécies migradoras e não migradoras na escada e no trecho imediatamente a jusante. A riqueza e abundância específica nos diferentes tanques de descanso foram utilizadas para avaliar a seletividade ao longo da escada. Os efeitos das variações temporais do nível hidrométrico de jusante e da velocidade de fluxo na seletividade foram também analisados. Das 130 espécies registradas a jusante, 63,2% foram capturadas na escada, com claro favorecimento das espécies migradoras. Entretanto, mais de 2/3 das capturas pertenceram a apenas três espécies (Rhaphiodon vulpinus, Psectrogaster amazonica e Oxydoras niger). Embora a maioria das espécies que ingressa na escada possa alcançar seu topo, constatou-se uma redução pronunciada na abundância. Variações temporais no nível da água a jusante da barragem influenciaram a riqueza e a abundância de peixes que se concentram na entrada e dentro da escada, com redução nos valores durante períodos de níveis baixos. Já na escada, a velocidade de fluxo de 2,3 m.s-1, embora também seletiva, mostrou-se mais adequada à ascensão de peixes em relação a de 2,8 m.s-1. Conclui-se, portanto, que o ingresso e a ascensão de peixes na escada não são congruentes com a composição e relações de abundância das espécies no trecho a jusante. O conjunto de espécies que efetivamente ascende a escada é dominado por poucas espécies, podendo incluir entre as dominantes aquelas que não necessitam ser transpostas. Dessa maneira, a seletividade se constitui num importante gargalo nas iniciativas de transposição de peixes visando a conservação dos estoques ou da biodiversidade, sendo urgente a revisão do processo decisório sobre a construção destes dispositivos e a avaliação acerca do funcionamento daquelas já construídas.

Movements through a fish ladder: temporal patterns and motivations to move upstream

Fish passages are constructed with the aim of reestablishing connectivity between critical habitats, in order to sustain those species that move over a large area during their lives. The upstream movements of most of the known migratory species are made for purposes of reproduction (adults) or dispersal (juveniles). The present study was conducted at the ladder constructed at Lajeado Dam (Luis Eduardo Magalhães Hydroelectric Power), on the Tocantins River. The objective was to assess whether there is a temporal pattern in the abundance of fish below the dam and in the ladder, that correlates with their breeding seasons. Additionally, it was examined whether reproduction is the predominant motivation of the shoals of fish that ascend the ladder. Samples were taken monthly from November, 2002 through October, 2003, downriver from the dam with gillnets, and in the resting pools of the fish ladder with cast nets. The analysis of seasonality in the aggregation of the shoals was based on the temporal variations in abundance and species richness. The possibility of a reproductive motivation for ascending the ladder was inferred from the frequency of the stages of gonadal development. However, during the entire study period we observed a high frequency of individuals with gonads in the pre-vitellogenic stage for all analyzed species, both downriver from the dam (97%) and in the fish ladder (98%). These findings suggest that there was no reproductive motivation for the aggregation of the fish downstream and for their entry into the ladder. On the other hand, the dominance of these stages downriver suggests that the spawning habitats are distant, and that the upstream movements occur for other reasons such as dispersal and search for more appropriate habitats for feeding and growth. The entrance into the ladder resulted more from rheophilic behavior, which is more pronounced in migratory species, than from an endogenous motivation linked to reproductive migration.

Os mecanismos de transposição de peixes em barragens visam restabelecer a conectividade entre habitats críticos à manutenção para as espécies que tenham uma ampla área de vida. Os movimentos ascendentes da maioria das espécies migradoras conhecidas são realizados por motivação reprodutiva (adultos) ou dispersiva (juvenis). Neste contexto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se existe um padrão temporal na abundância de peixes a jusante da barragem e na escada da UHE Lajeado (UHE Luis Eduardo Magalhães, rio Tocantins) que segue a sazonalidade reprodutiva. Adicionalmente, busca avaliar se reprodução é a motivação predominante dos cardumes que ascendem a escada. Para isto, as amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente de novembro de 2002 a outubro de 2003 a jusante da barragem, com o uso de redes de espera, e nos tanques de descanso da escada, com tarrafas. A análise da sazonalidade na agregação dos cardumes foi baseada nas variações temporais de abundância e riqueza de espécies, enquanto a motivação reprodutiva para a ascensão foi inferida a partir da freqüência dos estádios de maturação gonadal. Entretanto, durante todo o período foi constatada uma elevada freqüência de indivíduos com gônadas em fase pré-vitelogênica em todas as espécies analisadas, tanto a jusante da barragem (97%) como na escada (98%), sugerindo a inexistência de motivação reprodutiva para a agregação dos peixes a jusante e seus ingressos na escada. Por outro lado, o fato destes estádios dominarem as capturas também a jusante sugere que os locais de desova estão distantes, e que os deslocamentos ascendentes ocorrem por outras razões, como dispersão natural e busca de habitats mais apropriados para alimentação e crescimento. Assim, o ingresso na escada decorreu mais do comportamento reofílico, exacerbado nas espécies migradoras, que de uma motivação endógena ligada à migração reprodutiva.