The book “Peixes da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná e áreas adjacentes” represents the most cohesive data compilation for the rio Paraná floodplain. However, considering the dynamicity of the taxonomy of freshwater fishes, several new records and taxonomic changes occurred along the past years. Therefore, the results of that publication were revisited, providing an update of the species list, their taxonomic status, records and geographic distribution, and also new keys for genera and species. The species included were those recorded in the rio Paraná basin, from the mouth of the rio Paranapanema to the Itaipu Reservoir, following the general methodology presented in the book. A total of 10 orders, 41 families, 126 genera, and 211 species were registered, with an increase of one order, six families, 14 genera, and 29 species when compared to the book. Additionally, four new genera recently described, five synonymization proposals, 14 new identifications, four new combinations, 12 new species recently described, 34 new records, and nine misidentified species were recorded. These results are associated with the redirection of human and financial resources to that area, which enabled monitoring and intensive exploration of its watercourses; as well as training of taxonomists, and new taxonomic resolutions.

Abstract:We compiled data on fish fauna of the Ivaí River basin from recent specialised literature, standardised sampling and records of species deposited in fish collections. There were 118 fish species of eight orders and 29 families. Of these, 100 species are autochthonous (84.8%), 13, allochthonous (11.0%) and five, exotic (4.2%). The main causes for the occurrence of non-native species are escapes from aquaculture, introduction for fishing purposes and the construction of the Itaipu hydroelectric plant. The predominance of small and medium-sized Characiformes and Siluriformes, including 13 species new to science, accounts for approximately 11.0% of all species and 13.0% of all native species. About 10.2% of all species and 12.0% of all native species are endemic to the upper stretch of the Ivaí River, isolated by numerous waterfalls in tributary rivers and streams. The Ivaí River basin is subjected to various anthropogenic interferences such as pollution, eutrophication, siltation, construction of dams, flood control, fisheries, species introduction and release of fingerlings. These activities raise concerns about biodiversity of Brazilian inland waters especially regarding the fish fauna; the basin of the Ivaí River already has species classified in categories of extinction risk: Brycon nattereri and Apareiodon vladii (Vulnerable) and Characidium heirmostigmata and Steindachneridion scriptum (Endangered). The high species richness of native fish, endemism of some, high environmental heterogeneity, high risk of extinction and lack of knowledge of several other species along with the eminent human activities raise the need to enrich the scientific knowledge for future conservation efforts for the studied basin. Resumo: Nós compilamos dados sobre a diversidade da ictiofauna da bacia do rio Ivaí proveniente de recentes informações contidas em estudos divulgados na literatura especializada, coletas padronizadas e registros das espécies depositadas em coleções ictiológicas. Foram registradas 118 espécies de peixes pertencentes a oito ordens e 29 famílias. Dessas, 100 são autóctones, (84.8%), 13 são alóctones (11.0%) e cinco são exóticas (4.2%). As principais causas da ocorrência de espécies não nativas são escapes da piscicultura, introduções para pesca e a construção da usina hidrelétrica de Itaipu. Ocorre o predomínio de espécies de Characiformes e Siluriformes com porte pequeno e médio, sendo que 13 espécies são novas, o que representa aproximadamente 11.0% do total de espécies e 13.0% do total de espécies nativas. Ainda, aproximadamente 10.2% do total de espécies e 12.0% do total de espécies nativas correspondem a espécies endêmicas, isoladas pela presença de inúmeras cachoeiras em rios e riachos afluentes no trecho superior do rio Ivaí. A bacia do rio Ivaí está sujeita a uma variedade de interferências antrópicas como poluição, eutrofização, assoreamento, construção de represas, controle do regime de cheias, pesca, introduções de espécies e soltura de alevinos. Tais atividades apontam alarmantes preocupaçõe...

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We performed an analysis of the descriptions of new species of Neotropical Siluriformes (catfishes) to estimate the number of new species that remain to be described for a complete knowledge on biodiversity of this order, to verify the effectiveness of taxonomic support, and to identify trends and present relevant information for future policies. We conducted a literature review of species descriptions between January 1990 and August 2014. The following metadata were recorded from each article: year of publication, number of species, journal and impact factor, family(s) of the described species, number of authors, age of the authors and coauthors, country of the first author’s institution and ecoregion of the type-locality. From accumulation of descriptions, we built an estimate model for number of species remaining to be described. We found 595 described species in 402 articles. The data demonstrated that there has been an increased understanding of the diversity of Siluriformes over the last 25 years in the Neotropical region, although 35% of the species still remain to be described. The model estimated that with the current trends and incentives, the biodiversity will be known in almost seven decades. We have reinforced the idea that greater joint efforts should be made by society and the scientific community to obtain this knowledge in a shorter period of time through enhanced programs for promoting science, training and the advancement of professionals before undiscovered species become extinct. The model built in this study can be used for similar estimates of other groups of animals.

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