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Severe droughts can lead to fires that cause massive tree mortality in even the wettest and most isolated Amazonian forests. After repeated fires, blackwater floodplain forests can remain in an open vegetation state of arrested succession that facilitates a transition towards a white-sand ‘savanna-like’ vegetation. These vegetation shifts, from closed-canopy floodplain forests to open fire scars and eventually white-sand savannas, may have profound implications for fish communities that depend on floodplain forests for food and recruitment. In turn, changes in fish communities may contribute to the arrested forest recovery after fires as fish are important seed dispersal agents for many floodplain tree species. To explore the impacts of floodplain forest fires on fish communities, we sampled fish in unburnt forests, fire scars, and white-sand savannas in the middle Rio Negro basin (Brazil) during two consecutive flooding seasons. We compared the abundance, species richness, and the taxonomic and trophic composition of fish assemblages across the three habitat types. We found significant shifts in fish assemblages in fire scars compared to unburnt floodplain forests. Also, as fire scars increased in size, total fish biomass decreased strongly. Fish communities in unburnt floodplain forests seem to be characterized by a higher proportion of smaller and omnivorous fish species than fish communities in burned floodplain forests and white sand savannas. Fish assemblages in fire scars and white-sand savanna were not significantly different. Synthesis and Applications. Amazonian fish communities change after floodplain forest fires. Unburnt forests have diverse fish communities, with a large proportion of unique and small omnivorous species. In contrast, carnivores and detritivores become more common in fire scars and white-sand savannas formed after forest fires. Less omnivore fish after forest fires can reduce tree seed dispersal and forest regeneration, affecting ecosystem functioning and the services provided by Amazonian forests. Fish are also a primary source of food and income for people living in Amazonian floodplains. Preventing forest fires is therefore of fundamental importance for the conservation of Amazonian aquatic and terrestrial ecological communities as well as for the livelihood of people.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:42:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-10-01 The Tocantins-Araguaia Basin is one of the largest river systems in South America, located entirely within Brazilian territory. In the last decades, capital-concentrating activities such as agribusiness, mining, and hydropower promoted extensive changes in land cover, hydrology, and environmental conditions. These changes are jeopardizing the basin’s biodiversity and ecosystem services. Threats are escalating as poor environmental policies continue to be formulated, such as environmentally unsustainable hydropower plants, large-scale agriculture for commodity production, and aquaculture with non-native fish. If the current model persists, it will deepen the environmental crisis in the basin, compromising broad conservation goals and social development in the long term. Better policies will require thought and planning to minimize growing threats and ensure the basin’s sustainability for future generations. Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquaticos Continentais (PEA) Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses Instituto René Rachou Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Museu de Zoologia e Taxidermia José Hidasi Universidade Estadual do Tocantins (Unitins) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Laboratório de Ictiologia Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS) Laboratório de Paleontologia e Evolução Curso de Geologia Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Laboratório de Biogeografia e Ecologia Aquática Universidade Estadual de Goiás Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Herbário do Tocantins Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Laboratório de Ictiologia Sistemática Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Departamento de Zoologia Universidade de Brasília Researcher Departamento de Ecologia Universidade de Brasília (UnB) Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Laboratório de Ecologia de Peixes e Invasões Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL) Laboratório de Entomologia Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) Environmental Sciences Program-CIAMB Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT) Campus Universitário do Araguaia Laboratório de Microbiologia Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Fundação Brasileira para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (FBDS) & Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Laboratório de Ecologia e Zoologia (LABECZ) Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Laboratório de Ecologia de Peixes Departamento de Ecologia Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Laboratório de Análise e Síntese em Biodiversidade Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) Secretaria de Estado da Educação de Goiás-(Seduc-GO) UNISANTA PPGECOMAR Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Laboratório de Paleobiologia Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) Laboratório de Caracterização de Impactos Ambientais (LCIA) Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Embrapa Cerrado Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) Laboratório de Análises Geoambientais (LGA) Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Centro de Biologia Aquática Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás Laboratório de Biodiversidade Universidade Evangélica de Goiás Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas Pontifícia Universidade Católica (PUC) Laboratório de Genética & Biodiversidade - ICB/UFG Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia Ictiologia e Aquicultura (Nupelia) Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) Departamento de Direito Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT) Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais e Limnológicas (Nepal) Universidade de Brasília (UnB) Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação (LEC) Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) Coordenação de Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”

Reproductive behaviour is often targeted by behavioural parasitism due to its high energy costs and direct relationship with fitness. Courtship behaviour represents a substantial amount of the investment in reproduction, as it usually requires conspicuous movements that are energetically demanding and increase predation risk. Here, we present an alternative reproductive tactic in which dominant male sailfin tetra, Crenuchus spilurus Gunther 1863, parasitize the courtship behaviour of subordinate males. By conducting field observations and controlled experiments in laboratory, we show that, under low availability of nesting sites, dominant males favour a close-range defence of nesting sites, while subordinate males invest more in courtship activities. However, subordinate males often directed courtship movements towards a nesting site dominated by a concealed dominant male, who subsequently took over the female and resumed courtship. Our laboratory experiment also showed that only dominant males obtained spawning success regardless of the amount of effort allocated to courtship behaviour, circumventing the initial female preference for the subordinate male. Subordinate males were more likely to initiate contests and ceased courtship upon losing aggressive contests. In such instances, the courtship effort of dominant males was higher, suggesting that dominant males modulate their courtship effort according to the effort of subordinate males. We refer to this tactic as courtship piracy. For being dependent on resource defence, the effectiveness of courtship piracy is contingent on the defendability of nesting sites. In a follow-up experiment, we show that dominant males invest more in nesting site defence only when nesting sites are scarce. Since rainfall controls the amount of nesting sites in the natural habitat, we suggest that seasonality modulates the relative contribution of courtship piracy and female mate choice to reproductive success.

Observacoes diretas em campo constituem uma importante fonte de informacoes sobre a historia natural e o comportamento de peixes de riacho. Contudo, tais observacoes diretas podem ser insuficientes para permitir conclusoes robustas sobre as causas dos fenomenos biologicos envolvidos, ja que dados observacionais frequentemente falham em demonstrar de forma contundente relacoes de causa e efeito. Neste estudo nos trazemos conceitos necessarios para a formulacao de hipoteses a partir de uma versao derivada da Historia Natural e da Etologia, a Ecologia Comportamental Evolutiva. Essa perspectiva permite analises do contexto evolutivo e do valor adaptativo dos padroes comportamentais observados, e serve de base para novas hipoteses que podem ser aplicadas a muitos grupos de organismos. Observacoes e experimentos envolvendo peixes de riacho originaram e deram subsidio a muitas teorias sobre a evolucao de comportamentos e de caracteristicas morfologicas peculiares que sao amplamente debatidas pela comunidade cientifica. Apos apresentar os conceitos chaves, nos trazemos alguns exemplos de programas de pesquisas com peixes que culminaram na formulacao de importantes teorias, onde cientistas aproveitaram as oportunidades que os peixes de riacho oferecem e conduziram observacoes, amostragens e experimentos controlados em campo e laboratorio. Descrevemos nosso programa de pesquisas, que tem uma especie amazonica de peixe de riacho (Crenuchus spilurus) como organismo modelo. Ao final, advogamos pela pluralidade de metodos e analises no estudo da Ecologia Comportamental Evolutiva de peixes de riacho. BEHAVIORAL EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY - WITH APPLICATIONS TO FRESHWATER STREAM FISH: Direct field observation constitutes an important source of information on life history and behavior of stream fish. Unfortunately, information gathered from direct field observations are often limited and thus may fail to provide robust testing for the causation of biological phenomena. Here, we bring concepts that form the theoretical foundation necessary for raising hypotheses in Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology, a study area directly derived from natural history and ethology that directly incorporates evolutionary processes and the adaptative value of behavioral patterns observed. This perspective allows the analysis of the evolutionary context and the adaptive value of observed behavioral patterns, and serves as the basis for new hypotheses that can be applied to many groups of organisms. Using this framework, field observations and experiments encompassing freshwater stream fish have subsidized many theories on the evolution of behavioral and morphological traits that are widespread debated by scientific community. After presenting the main key concepts, we bring some examples of research programs with freshwater fish that culminated in the formulation of important theories and where scientists took advantage of the opportunities provided by stream fish to conduct observations, samplings and controlled experiments both in the field and in captivity. We also describe our own research program, which uses an Amazonian freshwater stream fish (Crenuchus spilurus) as a model organism. By doing so, we advocate for the use of several methods and analyses for the study of Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology of freshwater stream fish.

Riparian deforestation degrades stream habitats, altering fish assemblages’ structure, and composition. In contrast, secondary riparian forests can recover stream habitats and fish assemblages as they recover structural attributes and ecological processes. We evaluated whether the amount and condition of secondary riparian forests were important to conserve fish assemblages in 49 streams sites in eastern Amazonia. We related fish assemblage taxonomic and functional measures to riparian forest amount plus different habitat metrics using regression analysis. We compared assemblage measures among reference forests, abandoned pastures (open canopy), and secondary forests (closed canopy) using ANOVA tests. The amount of secondary forests had little influence on fish assemblages. Species richness, diversity, and functional richness were higher in pasture than in reference sites but returned to pre-disturbance conditions in secondary sites. However, functional evenness was lower in pasture streams and did not recover after secondary forest regrowth. Our results show that secondary riparian forest condition is important to recover some aspects of fish assemblages. However, streams bordered by these forests may have impoverished fish assemblages because some lost sensitive species may take longer to return. Avoiding riparian deforestation is the best strategy to reduce losses in aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functions in tropical agricultural landscapes.

Despite conservation of the diploid number, a huge diversity in karyotype formulae is found in the Ancistrini tribe (Loricariidae, Hypostominae). However, the lack of cytogenetic data for many groups impairs a comprehensive understanding of the chromosomal relationships and the impact of chromosomal changes on their evolutionary history. Here, we present for the first time the karyotype of Panaqolus tankei Cramer & Sousa, 2016. We focused on the chromosomal characterization, using conventional and molecular cytogenetic techniques to unravel the evolutionary trends of this tribe. P. tankei, as most species of its sister group Pterygoplichthini, also possessess a conserved diploid number of 52 chromosomes. We observed heterochromatin regions in the centromeres of many chromosomes; pairs 5 and 6 presented interstitial heterochromatin regions, whereas pairs 23 and 24 showed extensive heterochromatin regions in their q arms. In situ localization of 18S rDNA showed hybridization signals correlating with the nucleolus organizer regions, which are located in the q arms of pair 5. However, the 5S rDNA was detected in the centromeric and terminal regions of the q arms of pair 8. (TTAGGG)n hybridized only in the terminal regions of all chromosomes. Microsatellite in situ localization showed divergent patterns, (GA)15 repeated sequences were restricted to the terminal regions of some chromosomes, whereas (AC)15 and (GT)15 showed a scattered hybridization pattern throughout the genome. Intraspecific comparative genomic hybridization was performed on the chromosomes of P. tankei to verify the existence of sex-specific regions. The results revealed only a limited number of overlapping hybridization signals, coinciding with the heterochromatin in centromeric regions without any sex-specific signals in both males and females. Our study provides a karyotype description of P. tankei, highlighting extensive differences in the karyotype formula, the heterochromatin regions, and sites of 5S and 18S rDNA, as compared with data available for the genus.

Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. Rainfall patterns over recent decades have changed and extreme events are intensifying. These are expected to affect the hydrological dynamics and structure of forest streams in the Amazon basin, which strongly depend on the local rainfall regime, with potential consequences for local fish assemblages. Here we used four repeated surveys of stream fish assemblages across 10 × 10 km area of a pristine forest reserve in central Amazonia over an 18‐year (2001–2018) period to investigate the temporal dynamics of fish taxonomic and functional composition in relation to changes in stream habitats and local climatic regime. We investigated changes in magnitude, direction, and congruence of fish assemblage trajectories over time. Total annual rainfall increased over time, with stormy days (i.e. daily rainfall above 20 mm) becoming more frequent during recent decades and a concomitant change of stream substrates from litter‐dominated to free sand. The overall taxonomic and functional composition of fish assemblages changed consistently over time, with stronger differences between the first and last surveys due to alterations in relative abundances of some of the most abundant species. Functional composition moved from open water species (compressed‐bodied species with less developed fins and terminal‐oriented mouths) to species adapted to lateral pools and shallow marginal areas (species with fusiform body shape, more developed fins, and superior‐oriented mouth) We provide evidence of a concerted directional change of fish assemblages associated with increased precipitation and a higher frequency of stormy days over the last 2 decades. Considering the short time interval and the subtleness of the climatic changes assessed in this study, as well as the historically assumed structural stability of Amazonian streams, these findings are surprising and indicate those stream fish assemblages may respond quickly to climate changes.

Aspidoras azaghal n. sp. was discovered during a multitaxonomic scientific expedition to the remote Amazon Terra do Meio region in tributaries to the rio Xingu basin, Para, Brazil. The new species can be promptly distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of features: (I) absence of the first dorsal-fin element; (II) parieto-supraoccipital fontanel located medially on bone; (III) absence of a longitudinal dark brown or black stripe along flank midline; (IV) ventral surface of trunk covered by clearly smaller, irregular and/or roundish platelets; (V) inner laminar expansion of infraorbital 1 well developed; (VI) relatively wide frontal bone, with width equal to half of entire length; (VII) absence of a thick, longitudinal conspicuous dark brown stripe along dorsal portion of flank; and (VIII) poorly developed serrations on posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine. Besides morphological evidence, the molecular analyses indicated significant differences between the new species and its congeners, with A. albater and A. raimundi as its closest species, showing 6.53% of genetic differentiation in both cases. The intraspecific molecular data revealed gene flow (FST = 0.21641 for the COI marker, and FST = 0.53213 for the Control Region) between specimens from upstream and downstream a 30-meters height waterfall at the type-locality, which therefore represent a single population (P = 0.001 for COI, and P = 0.007 for the Control Region). Furthermore, it was possible to observe a unidirectional gene flow pattern, with genetic diversity increasing in the downstream direction.

The extent and intensity of impacts of multiple new dams in the Amazon basin on specific biological groups are potentially large, but still uncertain and need to be better understood. It is known that river disruption and regulation by dams may affect sediment supplies, river channel migration, floodplain dynamics, and, as a major adverse consequence, are likely to decrease or even suppress ecological connectivity among populations of aquatic organisms and organisms dependent upon seasonally flooded environments. This article complements our previous results by assessing the relationships between dams, our Dam Environmental Vulnerability Index (DEVI), and the biotic environments threatened by the effects of dams. Because of the cartographic representation of DEVI, it is a useful tool to compare the potential hydrophysical impacts of proposed dams in the Amazon basin with the spatial distribution of biological diversity. As the impact of Amazonian dams on the biota of both rivers and periodically flooded riparian environments is severe, DEVIs from different Amazonian tributary basins are contrasted with patterns of diversity and distribution of fish, flooded forest trees and bird species. There is a consistent relationship between higher DEVI values and the patterns of higher species richness and endemism in all three biological groups. An assessment of vulnerability at the scale of tributary basins, the assessment of biodiversity patterns related to DEVI, and the analysis of teleconnections at basin scale, demonstrate that recent construction of dams is affecting the biota of the Amazon basin. The evidence presented here predicts that, if currently planned dams are built without considering the balance between energy production and environmental conservation, their cumulative effects will increase drastically and represent a major threat to Amazonian biodiversity. Nanyang Technological University Published version This research was supported partially by the Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq, CAPES Foundation, and the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

Length-weight relationship (LWR) for 39 freshwater fish species captured in the Catalao Lake, a floodplain area at the confluence of the Amazonas and Negro rivers is presented. LWRs were calculated based on fish sampled over 18 years (1999–2017) using a set of ten gill nets with different mesh sizes, monthly immersed in water for 24-hr with 6-hr interval catches. Measurements were done for standard length (SL – 0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW – 0.01 g precision). The LWRs were calculated by the linear regression of natural log-transformed SL and TW data: TW = a × SLb. All statistical analyses were performed with R software. From all species considered, 32 are new LWR records for the international literature as well as for the Amazonian ichythyofauna; additional records expand the known size range for seven species. © 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH

Central Amazon has been subjected to a higher frequency of extreme climatic events, such as very dry or very wet years, in the last decades. Here, we report a 20-year monitoring of 6 biological groups over 100 km 2 of typical terra-firme forest at Ducke Forest Reserve, Manaus. Most assemblages had a decrease in abundance (9 – 35 %) and richness (8 – 25 %) along time, with some taxonomic and functional reorganization. Taxonomic and functional composition changes along time were more extensive in the valleys for trees and ants, and in first-order streams for fish; while bird and small trees had different patterns of composition change in valleys and plateaus. Although the signal of change was not congruent across all assemblages, patterns indicate that the forest and streams are becoming more dynamic as the hydrological cycle intensifies due to climate changes, and these new environments are already filtering species, at least in some well monitored taxonomic groups. Our data, in combination with other studies, suggest that riparian areas in the valleys are hydrological refuges during droughts, although also susceptible to disturbances induced by excessive precipitation and windstorms. In face of the importance of valleys as refuge, its sensibility and the unknown effects of potential migrations from higher topographic areas due to climate change, the conservation of large and extensive riparian areas seems to be of surmount importance to the future of Amazonian biodiversity.

The present study objectified to evaluate the trophic relationships and the possible aggressive mimicry involving Carnegiella strigata, Carnegiella marthae and Gnathocharax steindachneri, in lowland forest streams. Samplings occurred in November 2002, March and August 2003 in Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (ASDR). The total of 943 fish was caught, being 79.43% of C. marthae, 3.18% of C. strigata and 17.39% of G. steindachneri. Stomach contents, degree of stomach repletion, relative volume and frequency of occurrence of food items were evaluated. Thirteen food items were identified, and the presence of terrestrial and aquatic insects indicates the high dependence of these species and the flooded forest. Low feeding overlap was observed between Carnegiella strigata and C. marthae compared to Gnathocharax steindachneri. However, the overlap between the two Carnegiella species was relatively high, which could explain the low frequency of syntopic occurrence among these species, suggesting a possible case of competitive exclusion. Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as relações tróficas e a possível existência de uma relação de mimetismo agressivo envolvendo Carnegiella strigata, Carnegiella marthae e Gnathocharax steindachneri, em igarapés de terra firme. As coletas ocorreram em novembro de 2002, março e agosto de 2003 e foram realizadas na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável de Amanã (RDSA). Foram capturados 943 peixes, onde C. marthae representou 79,43%, C. strigata 3,18% e G. steindachneri 17,39%. Foram analisados os conteúdos estomacais e verificados grau de repleção, volume relativo e frequência de ocorrência dos alimentos. Foram identificados 13 itens alimentares, onde insetos terrestres e aquáticos denotaram alto grau de dependência destas espécies em relação à floresta alagada. Ocorreu baixa sobreposição alimentar das espécies Carnegiella strigata e C. marthae em relação a Gnathocharax steindachneri. Entretanto, a sobreposição entre as duas espécies de Carnegiella foi relativamente alta, o que poderia explicar a baixa frequência de ocorrência sintópica entre essas espécies, sugerindo um possível caso de exclusão competitiva.

Resource partitioning is a stabilising mechanism known to maintain species diversity in a variety of environments. Assemblages of stream shrimp species are structured by habitat features and predation. Therefore, segregation along habitat dimensions could facilitate coexistence among species in shrimp assemblages even when segregation is a result of predation pressure by fish species. These ecological interactions take place on a background modulated by biogeographic features, such as connectivity among drainages. However, these generalisations are mainly based on studies undertaken in temperate regions. We investigated whether abundances of rainforest shrimp species are related to habitat dimensions, and whether habitat–abundance relationships might be mediated through fish‐assemblage structure and the effect of drainages on connectivity. We detected effects of habitat variation on densities of shrimp species, but the magnitudes of the effects were larger for some species than others. Fish‐assemblage composition also affected shrimp densities. Two of the three species of shrimp showed some degree of habitat specialisation, but only along current‐velocity, depth, and pH gradients. Habitat segregation among species occurred along the current‐velocity and pH gradients. Relationships between density and environmental gradients differed between catchments for only one species and only along the pH gradient. Our findings provide evidence that rainforest‐stream shrimp species respond differently to environmental gradients and this could facilitate coexistence among species. However, interactions with fish seem to have a stronger effect on species densities, and consequently species segregation, than direct effects of the environmental gradients, resulting in apparent competition for these resources.

The mechanosensory system in batoids has a unique sensory canal distribution located on both dorsal and ventral surfaces of the body. Due to the opposite position of eyes and mouth, ventral lateral-line canals are essential to detect and capture prey buried in the substrate. The present study analyzes the density of neuromasts in ventral lateral-line canals as well as their specific distribution patterns to help to understand the mechanisms involved in the foraging activities in potamotrygonid stingrays. The organization of the lateral-line canals was described in Potamotrygon albimaculata, P. jabuti and P. schroederi. Neuromasts were quantified in each canal of the ventral surface and endemic their densities were compared among P. albimaculata, P. jabuti, P. schroederi, P. wallacei, and Paratrygon aiereba. The orbito-nasal component of the infraorbital canal was examined for all genera of Potamotrygoninae to understand its origin and connection patterns. Despite similarities in the morphology of the lateral line in the examined potamotrygonid species, differences of the densities of neuromasts were observed. The distinct web-like infraorbital canal in Paratrygon aiereba held a significantly higher number of neuromasts, which apparently compensates the lower density of neuromasts along its ventral surface. The orbito-nasal component of the infraorbital canal presents connections between infraorbital and nasal canals, except for P. aiereba, which has a supra-infraorbital canals’ connection. The complex distribution of lateral line canals and their neuromasts indicate distinct sensory abilities that probably provide a high capability to detect a variety of prey in different types of substrate.

AimCommunity phylogenetics provides important information about the evolutionary and ecological factors help structure regional species assemblages. Here, we analyze phylogenetic diversity (phylodiversity) patterns among fish species in 97 sub-drainages of the Amazon basin, to evaluate the roles of historical and contemporary processes in generating and maintaining the exceptional richness and endemism of Amazonian fish species assemblages.LocationAmazon River basinTaxonFreshwater fishesMethodsUsing a large comprehensive database of freshwater fish species distributions, and a well-sampled molecular phylogeny of ray-finned (actinopterygian) fishes, we develop of multivariate statistical model to correlate estimated historical and contemporary environmental parameters with sub-drainage phylodiversity patterns. The model employs three phylogenetic metrics: i.e.: phylogenetic diversity (PD) sensu stricto, mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (MPD) between species capturing phylodiversity variation at older evolutionary timescales), and mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD) capturing variation in phylodiversity at younger evolutionary timescales.ResultsThe model recovered significant effects of elevation gradients, contemporary climate, habitat fragmentation, water types, and past marine incursions on assemblage phylodiversity patterns. The model also found significantly negative relationships among the three phylogenetic metrics, and between these metrics and distance to mouth of the Amazon, representing a West-East longitudinal gradient.Main conclusionsOur study revealed a highly non-random spatial and environmental distribution of our three phylogenetic diversity metrics across the 97 sub-drainages of the Amazon basin. Beyond significant regional effects of several environmental and historical drivers, we also found a significant West-East gradient of increasing phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic relatedness, both patterns suggesting deeper evolutionary divergences among taxa located to the east, and more diverse, more recent radiations in the western sub-drainages. We conclude that western Amazonia can be seen as an evolutionary “cradle” of biodiversity for freshwater fishes in the Amazon basin as a whole.Significance StatementThis manuscript reveals spatial patterns of freshwater fish phylogenetic diversity and relatedness and explains its major contemporary and historical drivers in the Amazon basin. Amazon basin contains the highest freshwater biodiversity on Earth, as so investigate phylogenetic dimension of diversity is extremally relevant from the perspective of understanding the information on the evolutionary processes that had shaped Amazonian contemporary fish assemblages.

Electrophorus spp. generate high-voltage electric discharges for defense and hunting, and low-voltage electric discharges (as other Gymnotiformes) for electrolocation and communication. Despite intense interest in the unusual electrogenic and electroreceptive capacities of electric eels, the other sensory systems of Electrophorus spp. are relatively poorly known. Here we describe the ontogenetic development and organization of the cephalic lateral-line canals in the lowland electric eel, Electrophorus varii. Preserved specimens of larvae, juveniles, and adults were examined to describe the spatial distribution of the canals and pores. Ontogenetic shifts of the cephalic lateral line formation were observed for each canal and support a hypothesis of non-synchronized development. The morphogenesis of cephalic canals in larvae and juveniles begins just before the onset of exogenous feeding. In adults, the cephalic sensory canals are formed separately from the skull and overlay cranial and mandibular bones and muscles. This study provides the first detailed description of the development and organization of the cephalic lateral-line system in Electrophorus varii. Resumo Electrophorus spp. geram descargas elétricas de alta voltagem, usadas para defesa e caça, e (como os demais Gymnotiformes) descargas elétricas de baixa voltagem para eletrolocalização e comunicação. Apesar do grande interesse nas capacidades eletrogênicas e eletrorreceptivas incomuns dos poraquês, os outros sistemas sensoriais de Electrophorus spp. são relativamente pouco conhecidos. Aqui nós descrevemos o desenvolvimento ontogenético e a organização dos canais da linha lateral cefálica no poraquê da planície Electrophorus varii. Exemplares preservados de larvas, juvenis e adultos foram analisados para descrever a distribuição espacial dos canais e poros. Variações ontogenéticas na formação da linha lateral cefálica foram observadas para cada canal, apresentando um desenvolvimento não-sincronizado. Variações ontogenéticas da formação da linha lateral cefálica foram observadas para cada canal e suportam uma hipótese de desenvolvimento assincrônico. A morfogênese dos canais cefálicos em larvas e juvenis precede o início da alimentação exógena. Nos adultos, os canais sensoriais cefálicos se formam separadamente do crânio e sobrepõem os ossos e músculos cranianos e mandibulares. Este estudo fornece a primeira descrição detalhada do desenvolvimento e organização do sistema da linha lateral cefálica de Electrophorus varii.

Ichthyological surveys have traditionally been conducted using whole-specimen, capture-based sampling with varied, but conventional fishing gear. Recently, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a complementary, and possible alternative, approach to whole-specimen methodologies. In the tropics, where much of the diversity remains undescribed, vast reaches continue unexplored, and anthropogenic activities are constant threats; there have been few eDNA attempts for ichthyological inventories. We tested the discriminatory power of eDNA using MiFish primers with existing public reference libraries and compared this with capture-based methods in two distinct ecosystems in the megadiverse Amazon basin. In our study, eDNA provided an accurate snapshot of the fishes at higher taxonomic levels and corroborated its effectiveness to detect specialized fish assemblages. Some flaws in fish metabarcoding studies are routine issues addressed in natural history museums. Thus, by expanding their archives to include eDNA and adopting a series of initiatives linking collection-based research, training and outreach, natural history museums can enable the effective use of eDNA to survey Earth’s hotspots of biodiversity before taxa go extinct. Our project surveying poorly explored rivers and using DNA vouchered archives to build metabarcoding libraries for Neotropical fishes can serve as a model of this protocol.

To better understand the fish fauna of Amazonian streams, we assessed small streams in a landscape of forest fragments and savannah in the region of the lower Tapajós River, Brazil. We sampled the fish fauna using a well-tested active capture method during two dry seasons (October 2006 and 2018) and one rainy season (March to May 2018). Species richness was calculated using an abundance matrix and first-order jackknife estimator. Using qualitative and quantitative data, we present a cluster analysis in which each stream corresponds to a sampling unit. We collected 6,094 individuals of 43 species distributed in six orders. The sampling effort represents 73% of the estimated richness (58.69 ± 7.65). The most abundant species were Copella nattereri, Iguanodectes variatus and Laimosemion dibaphus that together represent almost half of the total sample (48.7%). The most frequent species were Aequidens epae, Helogenes marmoratus and Laimosemion dibaphus, which were collected in 11 of the 13 sampled streams. This is the first fish fauna list for small-order streams of savannah and forest fragments landscape in Amazonian Brazil. The richness of fish and the presence of many rare species underscore the contribution of small streams to the regional fish fauna composition, even in dynamic and spatially restricted landscapes. Resumo: Com o objetivo de aprimorar o conhecimento científico sobre a ocorrência da ictiofauna de riachos na Amazônia, acessamos pequenos riachos em uma paisagem composta por fragmentos florestais e savana, na região do baixo rio Tapajós. Amostramos a fauna de peixes com um método bem testado de captura ativa em duas estações secas, outubro de 2006 e 2018 e em uma estação chuvosa de março a maio de 2018. A riqueza de espécies foi calculada a partir da matriz de abundância com o estimador jackknife de primeira ordem. Usando dados qualitativos e quantitativos, apresentamos uma análise de agrupamento, onde cada riacho corresponde a uma unidade amostral. Coletamos 6094 indivíduos, de 43 espécies distribuídas em seis ordens. O esforço de amostragem representou 73% da riqueza estimada (58,69 ± 7,65). As espécies mais abundantes foram Copella nattereri, Iguanodectes variatus e Laimosemion dibaphus, representando em conjunto quase a metade do total amostrado (48,7%). As espécies mais frequentes foram Aequidens epae, Helogenes marmoratus e Laimosemion dibaphus, coletadas em 11 dos 13 riachos amostrados. Esta é a primeira lista de peixes de pequenos riachos em savana e fragmentos florestais da Amazônia brasileira. A riqueza de peixes e a presença de muitas espécies raras ressaltam a contribuição de riachos de pequena ordem para a composição regional da fauna de peixes, mesmo em paisagens dinâmicas e espacialmente restritas.

To determine the effect of rivers, environmental conditions, and isolation by distance on the distribution of species in Amazonia. Location: Brazilian Amazonia. Time period: Current. Major taxa studied: Birds, fishes, bats, ants, termites, butterflies, ferns + lycophytes, gingers and palms. We compiled a unique dataset of biotic and abiotic information from 822 plots spread over the Brazilian Amazon. We evaluated the effects of environment, geographic distance and dispersal barriers (rivers) on assemblage composition of animal and plant taxa using multivariate techniques and distance- and raw-data-based regression approaches. Environmental variables (soil/water), geographic distance, and rivers were associated with the distribution of most taxa. The wide and relatively old Amazon River tended to determine differences in community composition for most biological groups. Despite this association, environment and geographic distance were generally more important than rivers in explaining the changes in species composition. The results from multi-taxa comparisons suggest that variation in community composition in Amazonia reflects both dispersal limitation (isolation by distance or by large rivers) and the adaptation of species to local environmental conditions. Larger and older river barriers influenced the distribution of species. However, in general this effect is weaker than the effects of environmental gradients or geographical distance at broad scales in Amazonia, but the relative importance of each of these processes varies among biological groups.