Knowing biodiversity: Fishes from the Guareí River basin, a tributary of the Jurumirim reservoir, Paranapanema River, Brazil

Abstract

The Guareí River is a tributary of the Paranapanema River (Brazil), located in the upper portion of the Jurumirim Reservoir. Fish fauna studies in this watershed began in the 2000s, but they were restricted to a few waterbodies. This work conducted a broad survey of the fish fauna in tributary streams and the main channel of the Guareí River. Sampling occurred between February 2017 and November 2018 at 36 sites and using different collection methods. We captured 2,169 specimens belonging to 50 species, 16 families and 6 orders. The species accumulation curve tended to stabilize but indicated that species richness is underestimated. Almost all species are native (46); only three were non-native (Hyphessobrycon eques, Oreochromis niloticus and Poecilia reticulata) and one was undefined (Gymnotus pantanal). Among the native species, two are unknown to science (Bryconamericus aff. iheringii and Hypostomus sp. n.) and three are migratory (Leporinus friderici, Megaleporinus obtusidens and Pimelodus maculatus). In this paper, we provide images of species collected. Results indicate that the Guareí River basin is a hotspot of fish diversity in the Upper Paranapanema River, stressing the need for adequate management and conservation actions.

Fish Community Structure and Biomass Particle-Size Spectrum in the Upper Reaches of the Jinsha River (China)

“…A good habitat is fundamental to the maintenance and development of fish resources. In many basins where the main stream is strongly affected by hydropower development, tributaries with good natural connectivity can often serve as important habitats to maintain the diversity of fish in the main stream [ 42 ]. On the one hand, these tributaries can provide spawning and feeding grounds for the main stream fish and shelter for some rare fish [ 43 ].…”

Drifting in a free-flowing river: Distribution of fish eggs and larvae in a small tributary of a Neotropical reservoir

“…This aspect may have precluded the observation of differences in structure among sites. For example, representatives of Characidae may be widely distributed along the river, but with different species occupying the gradient headwatermouth (Azevedo-Santos et al 2020).…”

“…Despite the current hydroelectric expansion in Brazil, which has boosted the construction of small-sized dams (cf., Ferreira et al 2016), the Guareí River still preserves its original lotic condition (i.e., no dams). Currently, the most notable human impacts in this river are the absence of riparian forests in some stretches (Azevedo-Santos et al 2020) and water pollution (e.g., solid wastes).…”

“…The Guareí River is a free-flowing tributary located in the Upper Paranapanema River (Fulan et al 2012), Upper Paraná River, Brazil. This river flows to the Jurumirim Reservoir (Azevedo-Santos et al 2020), the first impoundment in a "cascade of reservoirs along the Paranapanema River" (Pelicice et al 2018: p.1-12). These aspects make the Guareí River an interesting case, with potential to act as spawning site and nursery ground for the regional fish fauna.…”

A case of complete albinism in the catfish Cambeva guareiensis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

“…Specimens of this trichomycterid catfish were collected in a stretch above a waterfall, with rapid waters and rocky substrate. Collection methods (hand net), euthanasia, fixation and preservation of the specimens are fully described in Azevedo-Santos et al (2020).…”