In an attempt to identify a simple, reproducible, inexpensive and non-toxic method for obtaining high quality and quantity genomic DNA from fi sh fi n and larvae samples, modifi ed salt extraction protocol and modifi ed phenol-chloroform extraction protocol were compared. The samples obtained from different fi sh species (Brycon orbignyanus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, Oreochromis niloticus, Leporinus elongatus and Prochilodus lineatus) using salt extraction showed good DNA quality and quantity (DNA/RNA relationship 1.8-2.2). These DNA samples were successfully used in the amplifi cation of RAPD (Random Amplifi ed Polymorphic DNA) and microsatellite molecular markers, demonstrating the same effectiveness of this protocol in comparison with modifi ed phenol-chloroform extraction protocol. This DNA extraction procedure constitutes an alternative and effi cient replacement for previous protocols for improving fi sh molecular studies.

The objective of this research was to verify the effects of cooling embryos of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, in four stages of development during two stocking periods. The stages of embryo development were at: blastoderm, ∼ 64 cells-1.4 h after fertilization (haf); 25% of the epiboly movement--5.2 haf; blastoporous closing--8.0 haf; and optical vesicle appearing--13.3 haf. Embryos were exposed to a cryoprotectant solution containing methanol (10%) and sucrose (0.5 M). Thereafter, embryos were submitted to a cooling curve until they reached -8 °C, and then kept cooled for 6 or 10 h. In addition, for each stage of embryonic development, a control group with uncooled embryos was used to compare hatching rates. The total number of larvae from the first two stages of ontogenetic development (1.4 and 5.2 haf) was lower compared to the other stages (0.0 and 8.0 haf). There was no significant difference between stages 8.0 and 13.3 haf for the total number of larvae (49.9 ± 6.7% and 55.2 ± 6.7%, respectively). Embryo diameter varied according to embryonic stage, providing evidence of differences in membrane permeability. There was a negative correlation between embryo diameter and the total number of larvae (r = -0.372). In conclusion, use of embryonic stages 8.0 and 13.3 haf were recommended for maintaining cooled pacu embryos at -8 °C for 6 or 10 h.

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a diversidade genética das amostras de pacu do médio Rio Paranapanema e do estoque de reprodutores utilizado no programa de repovoamento da Estação de Aqüicultura e Hidrologia da usina hidrelétrica Duke Energy, por meio do marcador RAPD. Genetic diversity of pacu from the Paranapanema River and from the broodstock of a stock enhancement programAbstract -The objective of this work was to study the genetic diversity of pacu samples from the middle Paranapanema River and from the broodstock used in the stock enhancement program of the Aquaculture and Hydrology Station at the Duke Energy Power Plant, by RAPD marker. Fourteen primers were used to analyze 30 individuals captured in the middle Paranapanema River and 29 individuals from the broodstock. The Shannon genetic diversity index and percentage of polymorphic fragments were higher in individuals captured in the Paranapanema River. Genetic similarity was larger in individuals of the broodstock. Results of analysis of molecular variance showed that the major part of the genetic variation is within the groups (84.2%) and not between them (15.8%). The identity and genetic distance among the groups were 0.9517 and 0.0549, respectively. Moderate genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.15) and high number of migrants per generation (Nm = 5.33) were observed between the two groups. The genetic diversity was lower in the broodstock than in fish captured in the middle Paranapanema River.

Monitoring the genetic diversity has fundamental importance for fish stocking programs. This experiment aims to evaluate the genetic diversity in two hatchery stations (A and B) with pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887) in Andirá, state of Paraná, Brazil used in stocking programs of Paranapanema River. Six microsatellite loci were amplified using DNA extracted from 60 fin-clipping samples. The broodstock B had the average number of alleles and the mean heterozygosity (alleles: 3.7 and H O : 0.628) higher than the broodstock A (alleles: 3.5 and H O : 0.600). Alleles with low frequency levels were observed in the both broodstocks. Evidence of linkage disequilibrium and lower allelic richness was found only in the broodstock A. Nei's gene diversity was high in both broodstocks. The genetic distance (0.085) and identity (0.918) showed similarity between broodstocks, which reflects a possible common origin. 6.05% of the total genetic variance was due to differences among broodstocks. Recent bottleneck effect in two broodstocks was observed. The results indicated a higher genetic diversity in the two broodstocks and they presented low genetic difference. This was caused by the reproductive management in both hatchery stations, reduction of population size and genetic exchange between the hatchery stations. Key words: Piaractus mesopotamicus, genetic variability, hatchery stations, molecular markers 6,05% da variância genética total foi devida a diferenças entre os estoques. Foi observado um recente efeito gargalo nos dois estoques. Os resultados indicaram uma alta diversidade genética nos estoques de reprodutores e baixa diferenciação genética entre eles, o que foi causado pelo manejo reprodutivo das pisciculturas, redução do tamanho populacional e intercâmbio genético entre as pisciculturas.

The present study investigates the effect of different slow chilling curves on the storage of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) embryos submitted to chilling at -8°C. Embryos at the blastopore closure stage were divided into two groups: G1 - embryos exposed to cryoprotectant solution containing methanol (10%) and sucrose (0.5 M), treated as follows: (T1) taken directly from room temperature to the refrigerator without being submitted to the curve; (T2) chilling curve of 0.5°C/min; and (T3) chilling curve of 1°C/min; and G2 - the cryoprotectant solution alone was submitted to these same temperatures, receiving the embryos only after temperature had decreased, corresponding to treatments T4, T5 and T6, respectively. Treatments were kept at -8°C for a period of 6 h. Embryo development was evaluated for each treatment, with six replicates in an entirely randomized design. Survival among embryos not submitted to refrigeration was 94.3 ± 8.05%. Percentage of total larvae (TL) and addled eggs (AE) did not differ statistically between the groups, although percentage of swimming larvae (SL) exhibited higher values in G1 for the 1°C/min curve. Furthermore, when comparing the three chilling curves, a decrease of 1°C/min resulted in the highest TL percentage (90.85%), followed by the 0.5°C/min curve (78.52%). Thus, the use of 1°C/min chilling curves is recommended for P. mesopotamicus embryos stored for 6 h at -8°C.