Angelo Antonio Agostinho | Universidade Estadual de Maringa (original) (raw)

Papers by Angelo Antonio Agostinho

Journal of Fish Biology, 2010

Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with ... more Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with all other groups of plants and animals, is far from fully known. Continuing habitat loss may result in biodiversity losses before full species diversity is known. In this review, the main river basins of South America (Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon and Paraná-La Plata system), together with key aquatic habitats (mangrove-fringed estuaries of the tropical humid, tropical semi-arid and subtropical regions) are analysed in terms of their characteristics and main concerns. Habitat loss was the main concern identified for all South American ecosystems. It may be caused by damming of rivers, deforestation, water pollution, mining, poor agricultural practice or inadequate management practice. Habitat loss has a direct consequence, which is a decrease in the availability of living resources, a serious social and economic issue, especially for South American nations which are all developing countries. The introduction of exotic species and overfishing were also identified as widespread across the continent and its main freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Neotropical Ichthyology, 2009

Based on long-term studies in the upper rio Paraná basin, in addition to a broad review of litera... more Based on long-term studies in the upper rio Paraná basin, in addition to a broad review of literature and other information, we were able to identify 33 species of native fishes in the lower rio Paraná basin that successfully colonized the upper rio Paraná after Itaipu impoundment, that flooded the natural geographic barrier constituted by the Sete Quedas Falls. These species belong to six Orders, encompassing two of Myliobatiformes, six of Characiformes, 17 of Siluriformes, six of Gymnotiformes, one of Perciformes, and one of Pleuronectiformes. Extensive remarks regarding each species, including their influence upon the native assemblage, in addition to comments on other non-indigenous species, are also provided. We conclude that, in spite of its widespread neglected by environmental impact studies, massive invasion of species is a real possibility when natural barriers are suppressed by reservoirs.

Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 2007

The Paraná River is the second longest river in South America and the tenth largest river in the ... more The Paraná River is the second longest river in South America and the tenth largest river in the world in water discharge. The upper stretches are characterized by high human occupation and intense anthropogenic activities, and few areas are still in pristine conditions. Despite this, fish diversity is remarkably high in the upper Paraná River basin, and the existence of different habitats greatly influences fish biodiversity. Although most species are sedentary, migratory species are considered the most important, since they have historically sustained commercial and recreational fisheries. Recently, stocks of migratory species have diminished in many rivers due to overfishing and habitat modifications caused by dams. Impoundments have a long history in the basin and constitute the main source of impacts for both sedentary and migratory fish species. Government agencies have implemented management actions to mitigate the effects of damming on fish populations, which included fish s...

Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2019

The colonization of novel reservoirs tends to support opportunistic species that undergo mass pro... more The colonization of novel reservoirs tends to support opportunistic species that undergo mass proliferation after the reservoir is formed. It is common that in this process, a species will change its diet based on resource availability. This is the case in the Salto Caxias reservoir, Iguaçu River, where five Astyanax species presented changes in their diets after damming. The present study aimed to evaluate possible changes in the feeding activity and condition factor of five sympat-ric species of Astyanax in the Salto Caxias reservoir in different areas impacted by damming. Sampling was carried out before and after damming the Salto Caxias reservoir. The fish feeding activity and nutritional status were inferred by the mean stomach repletion index and the mean condition factor, respectively. Most of the studied species showed a general decrease in feeding activity and condition factor. Both studied regions, the upstream region and the dam region, presented changes in the analyzed factors. These observations suggest that regardless of diet changes, nutritional status is negatively impacted in altered environments. The nutritional deficit occurs (i) if the diet is altered due to adaptive limitations on the use of the available resources and (ii) if the diet remains unaltered due to the scarcity of the preferred feeding resource. Such decreases might lead to reductions in the population size due to limitations on growth and reproduction until the environment feeding resources can sustain those populations.

Neotropical Ichthyology, 2008

The population structure and dynamics of Leporinus acutidens (Valenciennes, 1837), upstream from ... more The population structure and dynamics of Leporinus acutidens (Valenciennes, 1837), upstream from Yacyretá Dam (Upper Paraná River, Argentina) were analyzed for their relation to age, condition factor, growth, mortality and fishery yield. The pre- (1990-94) and post- (1995-98) filling phases of the reservoir were compared with regard to age structure, condition factor, and the length/weight relationship of fish. Fish sampling was carried out at four sampling sites following a longitudinal gradient along the river. The catches took place monthly using eight monofilament gillnets (mesh 40 to 160 mm). The growth marks on the scales were annual (9-year maximum). The study of the variation in the monthly averages of the scale marginal increments revealed that the period of the growth ring formation shifted from winter to spring in the post-filling phase. The length/weight relationship coefficient (b) was higher after dam closing. The condition factor increased before the reproduction period and during late summer, reaching maximum values in the post-filling phase, and especially at the sampling site placed within the reservoir region. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient k for both sexes was 0.16, and the asymptotic length L" reached 338 mm. Natural mortality during the whole study period, according to Pauly's equation, was 0.25 years -1 and total mortality was 0.37 years -1. The Beverton-Holt yield per recruit (Y/R) model attained 57.23 g, with a maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of 70.75 g. Low total mortality was associated with the lack of commercial exploitation of the species.

The von BertalanVy growth function has limitations for describing the growth of fishes in seasona... more The von BertalanVy growth function has limitations for describing the growth of fishes in seasonal climates. In the present work, a new equation is proposed where the growth parameter k is substituted by a function related to monthly water temperatures. The computer program GROWTH5 was developed to fit and simulate the growth for seasonally varying temperatures. Examples for natural populations

Fisheries Research, 2005

A field study of age, growth and mortality of the "boga", Leporinus obtusidens (Valenciennes, 184... more A field study of age, growth and mortality of the "boga", Leporinus obtusidens (Valenciennes, 1847) was carried out in the Yacyretá Reservoir, High Paraná River, Argentina. We compared age-structure, length-weight relationships and condition factor coefficients in phases previous (1990-1994) and subsequent (1995-1998) to the reservoir filling. In addition, we estimated total and natural mortality, as well as the growth and yield parameters for the whole study period. Comparisons were carried out in four sampling points within the river main channel. Fish were sampled monthly with nine gillnets ranging from 40 to 160 mm of total mesh opening (opposed knots). A scale study showed an age range comprised between 1 and 13 years, with ages 4 and 5 the most abundant before reservoir filling, whereas ages 2 and 3 were more frequent afterward. The weight-standard length relationship showed a higher growth during the second phase of reservoir filling. Maximum condition factor was registered before the spawning period (August and September), being higher after the impoundment, and particularly in the sampling site located within the reservoir. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient, K, reached 0.12 in both sexes, while the asymptotic length, L ∞ , was 578 and 547 mm, in females and males, respectively. Natural mortality according to Pauly's equation reached 0.178 year −1 , and the total mortality was 0.36 year −1 . The Beverton and Holt yield per recruitment (Y/R) was estimated as 246.54 g, with a maximum sustainable yield of 248.00 g. This result suggests that the species had higher condition after impoundment and is fished near its maximum capacity in the reservoir.

ABSTRACT The frequency of nine food types in the guts of 58 fish species from the Paraná River an... more ABSTRACT The frequency of nine food types in the guts of 58 fish species from the Paraná River and its floodplain was compared using similarity definition. A synthetic table ordered on the basis of this definition, with fish species on axis y, and food types on axis x, enabled easy reading numerous kinds of information on feeding ecology of fish in the catchment.

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2008

Reservoirs have been built in almost all of the hydrographic basins of Brazil. Their purposes inc... more 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.

Journal of Fish Biology, 2010

Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with ... more Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with all other groups of plants and animals, is far from fully known. Continuing habitat loss may result in biodiversity losses before full species diversity is known. In this review, the main river basins of South America (Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon and Paraná–La Plata system), together with key aquatic habitats (mangrove-fringed estuaries of the tropical humid, tropical semi-arid and subtropical regions) are analysed in terms of their characteristics and main concerns. Habitat loss was the main concern identified for all South American ecosystems. It may be caused by damming of rivers, deforestation, water pollution, mining, poor agricultural practice or inadequate management practice. Habitat loss has a direct consequence, which is a decrease in the availability of living resources, a serious social and economic issue, especially for South American nations which are all developing countries. The introduction of exotic species and overfishing were also identified as widespread across the continent and its main freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. Finally, suggestions are made to find ways to overcome these problems. The main suggestion is a change of paradigm and a new design for conservation actions, starting with integrated research and aiming at the co-ordinated and harmonized management of the main transboundary waters of the continent. The actions would be focused on habitat conservation and social rescue of the less well-off populations of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. Energy and freshwater demands will also have to be rescaled in order to control habitat loss.

Hydrobiologia, 2008

The aim of this article is to evaluate whether alterations in flood pulses differentially affect ... more The aim of this article is to evaluate whether alterations in flood pulses differentially affect diet composition, feeding niche breadth, and diet overlap of piscivorous fish. Species examined were Acestrorhynchus lacustris, Hoplias aff malabaricus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, and Salminus brasiliensis. These species were collected with gillnets (different mesh sizes) in the upper Paraná River floodplain, during four distinct flood events (four periods; A = 1992/ 1993; B = 2000; C = 2001; and D = 2002). The volumetric method was chosen to express diet results. Feeding niche breadth was calculated using Levins measure, and diet overlap was evaluated by the Pianka's Index. Flooding was more intense and lasted longer in the first period (1992/1993-A). Diet composition of the studied species was broad (47 total items consumed). For period A, Prochilodus lineatus was the main item taken by four out of five species. In the other periods, there were relevant alterations in diet, since P. lineatus was not recorded in any stomach of the five species; rather, it was replaced by the shrimp, Macrobrachium amazonicum. Diet overlap was low in all periods. The greatest overlap was obtained in period C for P. squamosissimus and R. vulpinus, due to high consumption of shrimps. There were no significant differences in niche breadth among species. However, the species presented distinct variation patterns in niche breadth. For example, H. aff. malabaricus showed a tendency toward increasing niche over the period, but the other species presented larger niches only during period A. Therefore, it can be concluded that the intensity and duration of the flood pulse influences: (i) the diet composition of piscivores; (ii) the breadth of their niches; and (iii) feeding overlap among species.

River Research and Applications, 2008

This study evaluated the influence of the flood regime of the Cuiabá River on the reproductive dy... more This study evaluated the influence of the flood regime of the Cuiabá River on the reproductive dynamics of fish species with different reproductive strategies. Sampling was carried out at ten sites in the basin, between March 2000 and April 2004. The reproductive strategies evaluated were long-distance migrant (LM), short-distance migrant (SM), sedentary with parental care (PC) and sedentary or SM with internal fertilization (IF). Period, duration and intensity of floods were the flooding attributes considered. Duration and time of spawning were evaluated using the index of reproductive activity (IRA), and inferences concerning reproductive allocation were based on the analysis of gonad weight. Reproductive success was evaluated based on the annual catch of young-of-the-year of each species. Reproductive dynamics and flood regime were closely correlated; the reproductive peaks of fishes using all four strategies always preceded flood peaks. Intense floods favoured gonadal development of LM and PC, but were less important for IF. In relation to juvenile survival, the occurrence of floods appeared to be crucial for the strategies of LM, PC and IF, because such floods increased fish survival in the period of initial development. In contrast, SM appeared to be less dependent on floods for reproduction. These results indicate that, except for SM, floods have an important role in the recruitment of species using other reproductive strategies, and influence spawning success as well as juvenile survival. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2009

Flood pulses affect floodplain enrichment via the incorporation of nutrients and terrestrial biom... more Flood pulses affect floodplain enrichment via the incorporation of nutrients and terrestrial biomass. As a result, they positively affect the body condition of aquatic organisms. This paper evaluates whether the absence of floods (resulting from dam control) affects the feeding activity and body condition of piscivorous fish. In addition, whether piscivores respond similarly to alterations in the flooding regime was assessed. Five piscivorous species were selected (Acestrorhynchus lacustris, Hoplias aff. malabaricus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, and Salminus brasiliensis). The fish were captured in four distinct years and in three river subsystems with differentiated water level fluctuations (Ivinheira = not regulated; Baía = regulated by the Paraná River level; Paraná = regulated by dams). Feeding activity and body condition were evaluated using the mean values of the standard residuals generated by regression models between body and stomach weights and standard length and body weight (all log-transformed). Differences among years and subsystems were evaluated via two-way analysis of variance. Pearson and Spearman correlations were performed between flooding attributes (duration, amplitude, timing, and daily variability) and feeding activity and body condition. Feeding activity differed across subsystems, whereas body condition varied across years, depending on the subsystem. Hoplias aff malabaricus (an ambusher adapted to starvation) presented feeding activity independent of the flooding regime and also presented better body condition in times of high water levels. Rhaphidon vulpinus exhibited variations in feeding activity but did not present alterations in body condition. The other species presented poorer body condition in years or subsystems with regular floods. Correlations identified that the duration and timing of floods had negative effects on body condition, whereas amplitude and mean annual water level improved feeding activity. Therefore, regular floods affect the feeding activity and body condition of piscivorous fish, and the response of each species depends on the existence or absence of pre-adaptation to long periods of starvation. Consequently, considering the role of the flood pulse in determining the availability of feeding resources for early life stages of piscivores, control of the flood pulse by dams is also disadvantageous for piscivorous fish.

Hydrobiologia, 2010

Page 1. PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER Direct and indirect effects of an introduced piscivore, Cichla kel... more Page 1. PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER Direct and indirect effects of an introduced piscivore, Cichla kelberi and their modification by aquatic plants Katya E. Kovalenko • Eric D. Dibble • Angelo A. Agostinho • Geuza Cantanhêde • Rosemara Fugi ...

Conservation Biology, 2009

Applying the ecosystem services concept to conservation initiatives or in managing ecosystem serv... more Applying the ecosystem services concept to conservation initiatives or in managing ecosystem services requires understanding how environmental impacts affect the ecology of key species or functional groups providing the services. We examined effects of river impoundments, one of the leading threats to freshwater biodiversity, on an important ecosystem service provided by large tropical rivers (i.e., artisanal fisheries). The societal and economic importance of this ecosystem service in developing countries may provide leverage to advance conservation agendas where future impoundments are being considered. We assessed impoundment effects on the energetic costs of fisheries production (embodied energy) and commercial market value of the artisanal fishery of the Paraná River, Brazil, before and after formation of Itaipu Reservoir. High-value migratory species that dominated the fishery before the impoundment was built constituted a minor component of the contemporary fishery that is based heavily on reservoir-adapted introduced species. Cascading effects of river impoundment resulted in a mismatch between embodied energy and market value: energetic costs of fisheries production increased, whereas market value decreased. This was partially attributable to changes in species functional composition but also strongly linked to species identities that affected market value as a result of consumer preferences even when species were functionally similar. Similar trends are expected in other large tropical rivers following impoundment. In addition to identifying consequences of a common anthropogenic impact on an important ecosystem service, our assessment provides insight into the sustainability of fisheries production in tropical rivers and priorities for regional biodiversity conservation.

Neotropical Ichthyology, 2006

Biological Invasions, 2010

Prey naiveté is proposed as one of the main reasons behind species extinctions attributed to inva... more Prey naiveté is proposed as one of the main reasons behind species extinctions attributed to invasive predators. This study examined whether the naiveté hypothesis could explain extinctions after the introduction of peacock bass (Cichla kelberi) in Paraná River, Brazil. Our results show that prey responded to both visual and chemical cues of peacock bass. Displayed avoidance behaviors were equal to or greater than those observed with a native predator, Hoplias malabaricus. We conclude that lack of recognition was not responsible for the observed vulnerability of native species to this introduced predator. Finally, we discuss implications of these findings for the native biodiversity and convene other potential explanations for the observed effects of peacock bass on native prey.

Ecological Indicators, 2011

The aim of this study was describe functional faunal assemblages occurring in streams with high i... more The aim of this study was describe functional faunal assemblages occurring in streams with high influence of urbanization in USA and Brazil to answer the question whether similar biological traits of fish assemblages would be found between streams with high influence of urbanization in USA and Brazil. We compiled data on the structure and composition of freshwater fishes in 46 urban streams in the USA and 10 urban streams in Brazil. Data on functional traits was established in accordance with ordinal data on abundance. Cluster analysis was conducted to examine relationships among species composition across all sites sampled and to uncover patterns in functional traits of the fish assemblages by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS). The cluster analysis separated the biogeographic regions in relation to the fish fauna composition. However, the ordination analysis (NMS) did not reveal differences between functional traits in Brazil and USA urban fish assemblages, suggesting functional similarity of very disparate zoogeographic assemblages.

Ecological Applications, 2010

Artificial reefs have barely been used in Neotropical reservoirs (about five studies in three res... more Artificial reefs have barely been used in Neotropical reservoirs (about five studies in three reservoirs), despite their potential as a fishery management tool to create new habitats and also to understand fish ecology. We experimentally assessed how reef material (ceramic, concrete, and PVC) and time modulated fish colonization of artificial reefs deployed in Itaipu Reservoir, a large reservoir of the mainstem Parana´River, Brazil. Fish richness, abundance, and biomass were significantly greater in the reef treatments than at control sites. Among the experimental reefs, ceramic followed by the concrete treatments were the materials most effectively colonized, harboring the majority of the 13 fish species recorded. Although dependent on material type, many of the regularities of ecological successions were also observed in the artificial reefs, including decelerating increases in species richness, abundance, mean individual size, and species loss rates with time and decelerating decreases of species gain and turnover rates. Species composition also varied with material type and time, together with suites of life history traits: more equilibrium species (i.e., fishes of intermediate size that often exhibit parental care and produce fewer but larger offspring) of the Winemiller-Rose model of fish life histories prevailed in later successional stages. Overall, our study suggests that experimental reefs are a promising tool to understand ecological succession of fish assemblages, particularly in tropical ecosystems given their high species richness and low seasonality.

Journal of Fish Biology, 2010

Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with ... more Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with all other groups of plants and animals, is far from fully known. Continuing habitat loss may result in biodiversity losses before full species diversity is known. In this review, the main river basins of South America (Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon and Paraná-La Plata system), together with key aquatic habitats (mangrove-fringed estuaries of the tropical humid, tropical semi-arid and subtropical regions) are analysed in terms of their characteristics and main concerns. Habitat loss was the main concern identified for all South American ecosystems. It may be caused by damming of rivers, deforestation, water pollution, mining, poor agricultural practice or inadequate management practice. Habitat loss has a direct consequence, which is a decrease in the availability of living resources, a serious social and economic issue, especially for South American nations which are all developing countries. The introduction of exotic species and overfishing were also identified as widespread across the continent and its main freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Neotropical Ichthyology, 2009

Based on long-term studies in the upper rio Paraná basin, in addition to a broad review of litera... more Based on long-term studies in the upper rio Paraná basin, in addition to a broad review of literature and other information, we were able to identify 33 species of native fishes in the lower rio Paraná basin that successfully colonized the upper rio Paraná after Itaipu impoundment, that flooded the natural geographic barrier constituted by the Sete Quedas Falls. These species belong to six Orders, encompassing two of Myliobatiformes, six of Characiformes, 17 of Siluriformes, six of Gymnotiformes, one of Perciformes, and one of Pleuronectiformes. Extensive remarks regarding each species, including their influence upon the native assemblage, in addition to comments on other non-indigenous species, are also provided. We conclude that, in spite of its widespread neglected by environmental impact studies, massive invasion of species is a real possibility when natural barriers are suppressed by reservoirs.

Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 2007

The Paraná River is the second longest river in South America and the tenth largest river in the ... more The Paraná River is the second longest river in South America and the tenth largest river in the world in water discharge. The upper stretches are characterized by high human occupation and intense anthropogenic activities, and few areas are still in pristine conditions. Despite this, fish diversity is remarkably high in the upper Paraná River basin, and the existence of different habitats greatly influences fish biodiversity. Although most species are sedentary, migratory species are considered the most important, since they have historically sustained commercial and recreational fisheries. Recently, stocks of migratory species have diminished in many rivers due to overfishing and habitat modifications caused by dams. Impoundments have a long history in the basin and constitute the main source of impacts for both sedentary and migratory fish species. Government agencies have implemented management actions to mitigate the effects of damming on fish populations, which included fish s...

Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2019

The colonization of novel reservoirs tends to support opportunistic species that undergo mass pro... more The colonization of novel reservoirs tends to support opportunistic species that undergo mass proliferation after the reservoir is formed. It is common that in this process, a species will change its diet based on resource availability. This is the case in the Salto Caxias reservoir, Iguaçu River, where five Astyanax species presented changes in their diets after damming. The present study aimed to evaluate possible changes in the feeding activity and condition factor of five sympat-ric species of Astyanax in the Salto Caxias reservoir in different areas impacted by damming. Sampling was carried out before and after damming the Salto Caxias reservoir. The fish feeding activity and nutritional status were inferred by the mean stomach repletion index and the mean condition factor, respectively. Most of the studied species showed a general decrease in feeding activity and condition factor. Both studied regions, the upstream region and the dam region, presented changes in the analyzed factors. These observations suggest that regardless of diet changes, nutritional status is negatively impacted in altered environments. The nutritional deficit occurs (i) if the diet is altered due to adaptive limitations on the use of the available resources and (ii) if the diet remains unaltered due to the scarcity of the preferred feeding resource. Such decreases might lead to reductions in the population size due to limitations on growth and reproduction until the environment feeding resources can sustain those populations.

Neotropical Ichthyology, 2008

The population structure and dynamics of Leporinus acutidens (Valenciennes, 1837), upstream from ... more The population structure and dynamics of Leporinus acutidens (Valenciennes, 1837), upstream from Yacyretá Dam (Upper Paraná River, Argentina) were analyzed for their relation to age, condition factor, growth, mortality and fishery yield. The pre- (1990-94) and post- (1995-98) filling phases of the reservoir were compared with regard to age structure, condition factor, and the length/weight relationship of fish. Fish sampling was carried out at four sampling sites following a longitudinal gradient along the river. The catches took place monthly using eight monofilament gillnets (mesh 40 to 160 mm). The growth marks on the scales were annual (9-year maximum). The study of the variation in the monthly averages of the scale marginal increments revealed that the period of the growth ring formation shifted from winter to spring in the post-filling phase. The length/weight relationship coefficient (b) was higher after dam closing. The condition factor increased before the reproduction period and during late summer, reaching maximum values in the post-filling phase, and especially at the sampling site placed within the reservoir region. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient k for both sexes was 0.16, and the asymptotic length L" reached 338 mm. Natural mortality during the whole study period, according to Pauly's equation, was 0.25 years -1 and total mortality was 0.37 years -1. The Beverton-Holt yield per recruit (Y/R) model attained 57.23 g, with a maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of 70.75 g. Low total mortality was associated with the lack of commercial exploitation of the species.

The von BertalanVy growth function has limitations for describing the growth of fishes in seasona... more The von BertalanVy growth function has limitations for describing the growth of fishes in seasonal climates. In the present work, a new equation is proposed where the growth parameter k is substituted by a function related to monthly water temperatures. The computer program GROWTH5 was developed to fit and simulate the growth for seasonally varying temperatures. Examples for natural populations

Fisheries Research, 2005

A field study of age, growth and mortality of the "boga", Leporinus obtusidens (Valenciennes, 184... more A field study of age, growth and mortality of the "boga", Leporinus obtusidens (Valenciennes, 1847) was carried out in the Yacyretá Reservoir, High Paraná River, Argentina. We compared age-structure, length-weight relationships and condition factor coefficients in phases previous (1990-1994) and subsequent (1995-1998) to the reservoir filling. In addition, we estimated total and natural mortality, as well as the growth and yield parameters for the whole study period. Comparisons were carried out in four sampling points within the river main channel. Fish were sampled monthly with nine gillnets ranging from 40 to 160 mm of total mesh opening (opposed knots). A scale study showed an age range comprised between 1 and 13 years, with ages 4 and 5 the most abundant before reservoir filling, whereas ages 2 and 3 were more frequent afterward. The weight-standard length relationship showed a higher growth during the second phase of reservoir filling. Maximum condition factor was registered before the spawning period (August and September), being higher after the impoundment, and particularly in the sampling site located within the reservoir. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient, K, reached 0.12 in both sexes, while the asymptotic length, L ∞ , was 578 and 547 mm, in females and males, respectively. Natural mortality according to Pauly's equation reached 0.178 year −1 , and the total mortality was 0.36 year −1 . The Beverton and Holt yield per recruitment (Y/R) was estimated as 246.54 g, with a maximum sustainable yield of 248.00 g. This result suggests that the species had higher condition after impoundment and is fished near its maximum capacity in the reservoir.

ABSTRACT The frequency of nine food types in the guts of 58 fish species from the Paraná River an... more ABSTRACT The frequency of nine food types in the guts of 58 fish species from the Paraná River and its floodplain was compared using similarity definition. A synthetic table ordered on the basis of this definition, with fish species on axis y, and food types on axis x, enabled easy reading numerous kinds of information on feeding ecology of fish in the catchment.

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2008

Reservoirs have been built in almost all of the hydrographic basins of Brazil. Their purposes inc... more 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.

Journal of Fish Biology, 2010

Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with ... more Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with all other groups of plants and animals, is far from fully known. Continuing habitat loss may result in biodiversity losses before full species diversity is known. In this review, the main river basins of South America (Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon and Paraná–La Plata system), together with key aquatic habitats (mangrove-fringed estuaries of the tropical humid, tropical semi-arid and subtropical regions) are analysed in terms of their characteristics and main concerns. Habitat loss was the main concern identified for all South American ecosystems. It may be caused by damming of rivers, deforestation, water pollution, mining, poor agricultural practice or inadequate management practice. Habitat loss has a direct consequence, which is a decrease in the availability of living resources, a serious social and economic issue, especially for South American nations which are all developing countries. The introduction of exotic species and overfishing were also identified as widespread across the continent and its main freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. Finally, suggestions are made to find ways to overcome these problems. The main suggestion is a change of paradigm and a new design for conservation actions, starting with integrated research and aiming at the co-ordinated and harmonized management of the main transboundary waters of the continent. The actions would be focused on habitat conservation and social rescue of the less well-off populations of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. Energy and freshwater demands will also have to be rescaled in order to control habitat loss.

Hydrobiologia, 2008

The aim of this article is to evaluate whether alterations in flood pulses differentially affect ... more The aim of this article is to evaluate whether alterations in flood pulses differentially affect diet composition, feeding niche breadth, and diet overlap of piscivorous fish. Species examined were Acestrorhynchus lacustris, Hoplias aff malabaricus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, and Salminus brasiliensis. These species were collected with gillnets (different mesh sizes) in the upper Paraná River floodplain, during four distinct flood events (four periods; A = 1992/ 1993; B = 2000; C = 2001; and D = 2002). The volumetric method was chosen to express diet results. Feeding niche breadth was calculated using Levins measure, and diet overlap was evaluated by the Pianka's Index. Flooding was more intense and lasted longer in the first period (1992/1993-A). Diet composition of the studied species was broad (47 total items consumed). For period A, Prochilodus lineatus was the main item taken by four out of five species. In the other periods, there were relevant alterations in diet, since P. lineatus was not recorded in any stomach of the five species; rather, it was replaced by the shrimp, Macrobrachium amazonicum. Diet overlap was low in all periods. The greatest overlap was obtained in period C for P. squamosissimus and R. vulpinus, due to high consumption of shrimps. There were no significant differences in niche breadth among species. However, the species presented distinct variation patterns in niche breadth. For example, H. aff. malabaricus showed a tendency toward increasing niche over the period, but the other species presented larger niches only during period A. Therefore, it can be concluded that the intensity and duration of the flood pulse influences: (i) the diet composition of piscivores; (ii) the breadth of their niches; and (iii) feeding overlap among species.

River Research and Applications, 2008

This study evaluated the influence of the flood regime of the Cuiabá River on the reproductive dy... more This study evaluated the influence of the flood regime of the Cuiabá River on the reproductive dynamics of fish species with different reproductive strategies. Sampling was carried out at ten sites in the basin, between March 2000 and April 2004. The reproductive strategies evaluated were long-distance migrant (LM), short-distance migrant (SM), sedentary with parental care (PC) and sedentary or SM with internal fertilization (IF). Period, duration and intensity of floods were the flooding attributes considered. Duration and time of spawning were evaluated using the index of reproductive activity (IRA), and inferences concerning reproductive allocation were based on the analysis of gonad weight. Reproductive success was evaluated based on the annual catch of young-of-the-year of each species. Reproductive dynamics and flood regime were closely correlated; the reproductive peaks of fishes using all four strategies always preceded flood peaks. Intense floods favoured gonadal development of LM and PC, but were less important for IF. In relation to juvenile survival, the occurrence of floods appeared to be crucial for the strategies of LM, PC and IF, because such floods increased fish survival in the period of initial development. In contrast, SM appeared to be less dependent on floods for reproduction. These results indicate that, except for SM, floods have an important role in the recruitment of species using other reproductive strategies, and influence spawning success as well as juvenile survival. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2009

Flood pulses affect floodplain enrichment via the incorporation of nutrients and terrestrial biom... more Flood pulses affect floodplain enrichment via the incorporation of nutrients and terrestrial biomass. As a result, they positively affect the body condition of aquatic organisms. This paper evaluates whether the absence of floods (resulting from dam control) affects the feeding activity and body condition of piscivorous fish. In addition, whether piscivores respond similarly to alterations in the flooding regime was assessed. Five piscivorous species were selected (Acestrorhynchus lacustris, Hoplias aff. malabaricus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, and Salminus brasiliensis). The fish were captured in four distinct years and in three river subsystems with differentiated water level fluctuations (Ivinheira = not regulated; Baía = regulated by the Paraná River level; Paraná = regulated by dams). Feeding activity and body condition were evaluated using the mean values of the standard residuals generated by regression models between body and stomach weights and standard length and body weight (all log-transformed). Differences among years and subsystems were evaluated via two-way analysis of variance. Pearson and Spearman correlations were performed between flooding attributes (duration, amplitude, timing, and daily variability) and feeding activity and body condition. Feeding activity differed across subsystems, whereas body condition varied across years, depending on the subsystem. Hoplias aff malabaricus (an ambusher adapted to starvation) presented feeding activity independent of the flooding regime and also presented better body condition in times of high water levels. Rhaphidon vulpinus exhibited variations in feeding activity but did not present alterations in body condition. The other species presented poorer body condition in years or subsystems with regular floods. Correlations identified that the duration and timing of floods had negative effects on body condition, whereas amplitude and mean annual water level improved feeding activity. Therefore, regular floods affect the feeding activity and body condition of piscivorous fish, and the response of each species depends on the existence or absence of pre-adaptation to long periods of starvation. Consequently, considering the role of the flood pulse in determining the availability of feeding resources for early life stages of piscivores, control of the flood pulse by dams is also disadvantageous for piscivorous fish.

Hydrobiologia, 2010

Page 1. PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER Direct and indirect effects of an introduced piscivore, Cichla kel... more Page 1. PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER Direct and indirect effects of an introduced piscivore, Cichla kelberi and their modification by aquatic plants Katya E. Kovalenko • Eric D. Dibble • Angelo A. Agostinho • Geuza Cantanhêde • Rosemara Fugi ...

Conservation Biology, 2009

Applying the ecosystem services concept to conservation initiatives or in managing ecosystem serv... more Applying the ecosystem services concept to conservation initiatives or in managing ecosystem services requires understanding how environmental impacts affect the ecology of key species or functional groups providing the services. We examined effects of river impoundments, one of the leading threats to freshwater biodiversity, on an important ecosystem service provided by large tropical rivers (i.e., artisanal fisheries). The societal and economic importance of this ecosystem service in developing countries may provide leverage to advance conservation agendas where future impoundments are being considered. We assessed impoundment effects on the energetic costs of fisheries production (embodied energy) and commercial market value of the artisanal fishery of the Paraná River, Brazil, before and after formation of Itaipu Reservoir. High-value migratory species that dominated the fishery before the impoundment was built constituted a minor component of the contemporary fishery that is based heavily on reservoir-adapted introduced species. Cascading effects of river impoundment resulted in a mismatch between embodied energy and market value: energetic costs of fisheries production increased, whereas market value decreased. This was partially attributable to changes in species functional composition but also strongly linked to species identities that affected market value as a result of consumer preferences even when species were functionally similar. Similar trends are expected in other large tropical rivers following impoundment. In addition to identifying consequences of a common anthropogenic impact on an important ecosystem service, our assessment provides insight into the sustainability of fisheries production in tropical rivers and priorities for regional biodiversity conservation.

Neotropical Ichthyology, 2006

Biological Invasions, 2010

Prey naiveté is proposed as one of the main reasons behind species extinctions attributed to inva... more Prey naiveté is proposed as one of the main reasons behind species extinctions attributed to invasive predators. This study examined whether the naiveté hypothesis could explain extinctions after the introduction of peacock bass (Cichla kelberi) in Paraná River, Brazil. Our results show that prey responded to both visual and chemical cues of peacock bass. Displayed avoidance behaviors were equal to or greater than those observed with a native predator, Hoplias malabaricus. We conclude that lack of recognition was not responsible for the observed vulnerability of native species to this introduced predator. Finally, we discuss implications of these findings for the native biodiversity and convene other potential explanations for the observed effects of peacock bass on native prey.

Ecological Indicators, 2011

The aim of this study was describe functional faunal assemblages occurring in streams with high i... more The aim of this study was describe functional faunal assemblages occurring in streams with high influence of urbanization in USA and Brazil to answer the question whether similar biological traits of fish assemblages would be found between streams with high influence of urbanization in USA and Brazil. We compiled data on the structure and composition of freshwater fishes in 46 urban streams in the USA and 10 urban streams in Brazil. Data on functional traits was established in accordance with ordinal data on abundance. Cluster analysis was conducted to examine relationships among species composition across all sites sampled and to uncover patterns in functional traits of the fish assemblages by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS). The cluster analysis separated the biogeographic regions in relation to the fish fauna composition. However, the ordination analysis (NMS) did not reveal differences between functional traits in Brazil and USA urban fish assemblages, suggesting functional similarity of very disparate zoogeographic assemblages.

Ecological Applications, 2010

Artificial reefs have barely been used in Neotropical reservoirs (about five studies in three res... more Artificial reefs have barely been used in Neotropical reservoirs (about five studies in three reservoirs), despite their potential as a fishery management tool to create new habitats and also to understand fish ecology. We experimentally assessed how reef material (ceramic, concrete, and PVC) and time modulated fish colonization of artificial reefs deployed in Itaipu Reservoir, a large reservoir of the mainstem Parana´River, Brazil. Fish richness, abundance, and biomass were significantly greater in the reef treatments than at control sites. Among the experimental reefs, ceramic followed by the concrete treatments were the materials most effectively colonized, harboring the majority of the 13 fish species recorded. Although dependent on material type, many of the regularities of ecological successions were also observed in the artificial reefs, including decelerating increases in species richness, abundance, mean individual size, and species loss rates with time and decelerating decreases of species gain and turnover rates. Species composition also varied with material type and time, together with suites of life history traits: more equilibrium species (i.e., fishes of intermediate size that often exhibit parental care and produce fewer but larger offspring) of the Winemiller-Rose model of fish life histories prevailed in later successional stages. Overall, our study suggests that experimental reefs are a promising tool to understand ecological succession of fish assemblages, particularly in tropical ecosystems given their high species richness and low seasonality.