Introduction dynamics: the advancement of peacock bass (Cichla sp.) in aquatic ecosystems of the pantanal (mato grosso)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to survey the spatial distribution of the Cichla sp. species in aquatic bodies around the municipality of Cáceres-MT and the evolution of records for the Brazilian Pantanal. Collections took place in the marginal lakes and troughs of the Caramujo, Padre Ignácio and Paraguay rivers, with collections during high and low water periods in 2018 and 2019. Interviews were conducted with fishermen using a semi-structured questionnaire and obtaining locations where tucunaré occur. Secondary data was obtained by searching for articles on the occurrence of species in the Pantanal. Thirty-five specimens of Cichla kelberi were caught in 21 localities in the study area. Interviews revealed 44 localities, predominantly on the left banks of the Paraguay River. In the literature, there have been 9 studies on the occurrence of tucunaré in the Brazilian Pantanal, 7 of which in the southern Pantanal. The data points to a distribution of C. piquiti further south and C. kelberi further north in the biome, which may be due to the routes of introductions and the characteristics of the biome reducing the speed of diffusion.