Catfishes of the genus Auchenipterichthys (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae): a revisionary study

The Neotropical auchenipterid catfish genus Auchenipterichthys is reviewed and found to include four species. Auchenipterichthys thoracatus, formerly considered to be widely distributed throughout the Amazon River basin, is found to be restricted to the upper Madeira River basin. The widespread Amazonian species that had been misidentified as A. thoracatus is, instead, A. coracoideus; a species that also occurs in the upper Essequibo River. Auchenipterichthys longimanus, the most widely distributed species of the genus, is found through much of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. The fourth species of the genus, A. punctatus (and its junior synonym A. dantei), is found in the upper portions of the Orinoco and Negro River basins in Venezuela and the central portions of the Amazon River basin in Brazil. All four species of Auchenipterichthys are redescribed and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided

Sustentabilidade da pesca na Amazônia

NO PRESENTE trabalho é feita uma síntese dos conhecimentos sobre a atividade pesqueira na Amazônia, incluindo histórico, potencial e tipos de pesca, composição do pescado e principais entraves e estratégias de manejo adotadas. Discute-se a inter-relação da pesca com as condições do ambiente aquático e a importância da vegetação ripariana ou mata ciliar como fonte de alimento, abrigo e refúgio para os peixes. Defende-se a idéia de que o manejo dos recursos pesqueiros só será bem-sucedido e eficaz se for compartilhado por todos os atores sociais direta e indiretamente envolvidos na pesca, e não apenas os pescadores, consumidores e comerciantes de peixes. O trabalho aponta a educação ambiental como a estratégia mais importante e talvez único caminho para a real sustentabilidade da pesca e, por conseguinte, dos recursos pesqueiros amazônicos.<br>IN THIS PAPER we present a synthesis of the knowledge on aquatic environments and commercial fishing in the Brazilian Amazon as well as the history, potential and types of fishing, the composition of exploited species, problems and the main management tactics adopted. The interrelationship of fishing with environmental conditions is discussed as well as the importance of marginal vegetation as a source of food, shelter and refuge for fish. We put forth the idea that the management of fish resources will only be effective if it is practiced by all social actors involved and not only the fishermen and consumers. Environmental education is pointed out to be the most efficient strategy for fishing policies and the only real way towards a real sustentability of the fishing and consequently the natural resources of the region