Revisão da ictiofauna da bacia do Rio Iguaçu: reconhecendo a situação atual

Abstract

Iguaçu is one of the main rivers in the state of Paraná, Iguaçu falls, together with its relief, performed a compartmentalization of its course, and these two were the main factors responsible for the high endemism degree of the Iguaçu river basin, since of the 133 species found 67 are endemic, equivalent to 50.38% of the species present in the river. However, the fauna of the Iguaçu River basin is very threatened because it suffers from urban pollution and agricultural residues. Another factor that affects biodiversity is the high level of impoundment of the rivers of the Basin, caused by the presence of hydroelectric plants, to which the environment changes from lotic to lentic, making many species adapted to the lotic environments and also the migratory ones like the surubim of Iguaçu (Steindachneridion melanodermatum), among others are impaired, the Basin is deprived of information about its ichthyofauna mainly in the regions of the middle and upper Iguaçu, a factor that has been attracting the interest of several researchers to carry out studies of these areas. Steindachneridion melanodermatum (Iguaçu surubim), Pimelodus britskii (mandi-pintado), and Rhamdia voulezi (jundiá), considered endemic species with potential for cultivation, could boost aquaculture in the Basin, especially during the winter season. the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has its development harmed by the temperature.