Fishes from the Parque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense, upper Paraguai River basin, Brazil.

The Pantanal Biosphere Reserve contains one of the highest concentration of animal species in the Neotropics, including about 300 fish species living in diverse environments associated with wetlands in the upper Paraguai River basin. This biome spans portions of Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay and includes the Parque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense (PNPM), a region of the Pantanal which has been assigned as high conservation priority in Brazil. This study reports the results of an ichthyological survey within the PNPM, where samples were taken at 12 sites during the dry season in 2001, 2010 and 2011. We record 182 species representing three classes, 10 orders and 41 fish families. We report the first occurrence of the genus Anchoviella (order Clupeiformes), in the La Plata basin. This survey will provide information for future studies concerning conservation and management plans for the PNPM as well as for the Pantanal, which is one of the largest permanent wetland areas in the world and among the most unique and important South American biomes

The protected areas system in Brazil as a baseline condition for wetlands management and fish conservancy: the example of the Pantanal National Park

ABSTRACT Considering the need for the Brazilian government to develop tools for environmental monitoring for biodiversity conservancy purposes in the national protected areas system, this paper focuses on determining reference site metrics (or baselines) for adapting the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) based on the fish assemblages in the Pantanal National Park (PNP). The habitats in the PNP were grouped into four categories: main rivers, corixos (channels connecting the floodplain), permanent bays, and temporary bays. Fish samplings were performed at 12 points during the dry season (Oct-Nov 2010 and 2011). 146 fish species were identified from the total 18,954 individuals collected with standardized fishing gear. There was no association between the structure of the fish assemblage and categories, suggesting a theory on homogeneity of habitats. The final IBIPNP consists of nine metrics, most of them were framed in excellent class, some in fair, and none in poor. There was no significant difference in IBIPNP scores between the two sampled years. This approach provides a direct application for wetland management purposes

Brazil's new fish farming Decree threatens freshwater conservation in South America

Aquaculture has tremendous importance in providing food for a growing world population. Nevertheless, unsustainable aquaculture causes nutrient buildup and favors biological invasions in natural habitats, demanding strategies to regulate such activity and therefore minimize environmental risks. Contrary to these concerns, the Brazilian Government has recently issued a new Federal Decree (10576/2020) encouraging the farming of invasive non-native species and excluding the Ministry of Environment from the legal process of issuing fish farming permits in reservoirs. The Decree increases the risk of non-native species establishment in inland waters at a national level and their propagation into neighboring countries, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. These consequences will endanger preserved freshwater ecosystems in the continent, including their native biodiversity, which represents both a problem of national sovereignty and a threat to the fundamental human right for a healthy environment. For this reason, the Decree contradicts the Brazilian Federal Constitution and conflicts with international treaties regulating invasive species and promoting sustainable development. It calls for immediate legal action and is yet another unfortunate sign of the increasing gap between science and decision making that has plagued the country in recent years.Fil: Latini, Anderson Oliveira. Universidade Federal de Sao Joao Del-rei; BrasilFil: Mormul, R. P.. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Engenharia Química.; BrasilFil: Giacomini, H. C.. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Engenharia Química.; Brasil. Universidade Santa Cecília; BrasilFil: Di Dario, F.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Vitule, J. R. S.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Reis, R. E.. Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Tonella, L.. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Engenharia Química.; BrasilFil: Polaz, C. N. M.. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa E Conservação de Peixes Continentais; BrasilFil: Lucifora, Luis Omar. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lima, L. B.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Teixeira-de-Mello, F.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Lima Júnior, D. P.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Magalhães, A.L.B.. No especifíca;Fil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Jimenez Segura, L. F.. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Azevedo Santos, V. M.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Carvalho, F. R.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: D'Anatro, A.. Universidad de la Republica; UruguayFil: Malabarba, L. R.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Mandelburger, D.. Ministerio del Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; ParaguayFil: Orsi, M.L.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; BrasilFil: González Bergonzoni, I.. Cenur Litoral Norte – Sede Paysandú; Uruguay. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Cunico, A.M.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Petrere Júnior, M.. Universidade Federal do Pará; Brasil. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Scarabotti, Pablo Augusto. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Vidal, N.. Universidad de la República; Urugua