Conservation status of Astyanax biotae (Characiformes: Characidae) in Mato Grosso do Sul, upper Paraná River basin, Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Vilela, Maria José Alencar
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Severo-Neto, Francisco, Carvalho, Fernando Rogério
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Biotemas (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/biotemas/article/view/2175-7925.2018v31n4p47

Astyanax biotae was described from an affluent of the Paranapanema River, in the upper Paraná River basin. During sampling carried out for research projects in the drainage of the Ivinhema and Verde rivers, in the upper Paraná River system, A. biotae individuals were collected in headwaters of small streams and várzea lagoons, both in protected and intensive agriculture areas. The morphometric and meristic data of 20 individuals analyzed were similar to those of the standard series. Vouchers are deposited in the ichthyological collections of UFMS (ZUFMS), UEMS (CPUEMS) and UNESP (DZSJRP). Based on IUCN criteria, we suggest this species be classified as Least Concern (LC) in Mato Grosso do Sul State, considering the absence of effective threats in two of the occurrence areas, which are located within protected areas. However, we emphasize the establishment of measures to protect headwater regions in order to avoid an increase in deforestation, siltation and agricultural pollution, which are recurrent problems in the Cerrado that severely compromise the maintenance of these habitats and their species. It is necessary to invest in studies about natural history of the species and to increase sampling, seeking to reduce the sample gaps that still exist in the Mato Grosso do Sul drainages.