Paulo Petry

Freshwater Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Biogeographic Units for Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation

ABSTRACT We present a new map depicting the first global biogeographic regionalization of Earths freshwater systems. This map of freshwater ecoregions is based on the distributions and compositions of freshwater fish species and incorporates major ecological and evolutionary patterns. Covering virtually all freshwater habitats on Earth, this ecoregion map, together with associated species data, is a useful tool for underpinning global and regional conservation planning efforts (particularly to identify outstanding and imperiled freshwater systems); for serving as a logical framework for large-scale conservation strategies; and for providing a global-scale knowledge base for increasing freshwater biogeographic literacy. Preliminary data for fish species compiled by ecoregion reveal some previously unrecognized areas of high biodiversity, highlighting the benefit of looking at the worlds freshwaters through a new framework.

Goliath catfish spawning in the far western Amazon confirmed by the distribution of mature adults, drifting larvae and migrating juveniles

We mapped the inferred long-distance migrations of four species of Amazonian goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, B. platynemum, B. juruense and B. vaillantii) based on the presence of individuals with mature gonads and conducted statistical analysis of the expected long-distance downstream migrations of their larvae and juveniles. By linking the distribution of larval, juvenile and mature adult size classes across the Amazon, the results showed: (i) that the main spawning regions of these goliath catfish species are in the western Amazon; (ii) at least three species—B. rousseauxii, B. platynemum, and B. juruense—spawn partially or mainly as far upstream as the Andes; (iii) the main spawning area of B. rousseauxii is in or near the Andes; and (iv) the life history migration distances of B. rousseauxii are the longest strictly freshwater fish migrations in the world. These results provide an empirical baseline for tagging experiments, life histories extrapolated from otolith microchemistry interpretations and other methods to establish goliath catfish migratory routes, their seasonal timing and possible return (homing) to western headwater tributaries where they were born.

Experiments on the feeding behavior of the hematophagous candiru, Vandellia cf. plazaii

Hematophagous candirus (family Trichomycteridae Vandellia cf. plazaii) did not respond to potential chemical attractants (ammonia amino acids fresh fish slime and human urine) added to their aquarium water. They seemed to respond visually to live goldfish Carassius auratus and Amazonian cichlids Cichlasoma amazonarum. One hypothesis tested is that the goldfish (an ostariophysan) might be preferred to the cichlid (a perciform fish). Goldfish were attacked first significantly more often when both prey species were present (one-sided difference in proportions test, N = 15, p = 0.02). However neither the elapsed time to the first attack nor the duration of the attacks differed significantly (Mann-Whitneys U-test N = 32 p = 0.27 and p = 0.92). These two species seemed incapable (goldfish) or weakly capable (cichlid) of avoiding or repelling candiru attacks

Aquatic Biodiversity in the Amazon: Habitat Specialization and Geographic Isolation Promote Species Richness

Simple Summary The immense rainforest ecosystems of tropical America represent some of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity on the planet. Prominent among these are evolutionary radiations of freshwater fishes, including electric eels, piranhas, stingrays, and a myriad of small-bodied and colorful tetras, cichlids, and armored catfishes. In all, the many thousands of these forms account for nearly 10% of all the vertebrate species on Earth. This article explores the complimentary roles that ecological and geographic filters play in limiting dispersal in aquatic species, and how these factors contribute to the accumulation of species richness over broad geographic and evolutionary time scales. Abstract The Neotropical freshwater ichthyofauna has among the highest species richness and density of any vertebrate fauna on Earth, with more than 5,600 species compressed into less than 12% of the worlds land surface area, and less than 0.002% of the worlds total liquid water supply. How have so many species come to co-exist in such a small amount of total habitat space? Here we report results of an aquatic faunal survey of the Fitzcarrald region in southeastern Peru, an area of low-elevation upland (200–500 m above sea level) rainforest in the Western Amazon, that straddles the headwaters of four large Amazonian tributaries; the Juruá (Yurúa), Ucayali, Purús, and Madre de Dios rivers. All measures of fish species diversity in this region are high; there is high alpha diversity with many species coexisting in the same locality, high beta diversity with high turnover between habitats, and high gamma diversity with high turnover between adjacent tributary basins. Current data show little species endemism, and no known examples of sympatric sister species, within the Fitzcarrald region, suggesting a lack of localized or recent adaptive divergences. These results support the hypothesis that the fish species of the Fitzcarrald region are relatively ancient, predating the Late Miocene-Pliocene (c. 4 Ma) uplift that isolated its several headwater basins. The results also suggest that habitat specialization (phylogenetic niche conservatism) and geographic isolation (dispersal limitation) have contributed to the maintenance of high species richness in this region of the Amazon Basin.

A new species of Gelanoglanis (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River (Amazon Basin), northeastern Perú

ABSTRACT We describe a new species of driftwood catfish, Gelanoglanis travieso, (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River, a whitewater tributary of the Amazon River in northeastern Perú. It shares with the two described species in this genus, G. stroudi, from left bank whitewater tributaries of the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela, and G. nanonocticolus from blackwater tributaries of the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in Amazonas, Venezuela and northern Brazil, the following synapomorphies: reduced size, compressed body, conical snout, a single pair of mental barbels, premaxillae widely separated at rostral border of upper jaw, premaxillary and dentary tooth patches narrow, posterior naris long and narrow and positioned immediately anterior to orbit, and small eyes. Gelanoglanis travieso differs from all congeners in having second dorsal-fin lepidotrichium filamentous, simple, not a spine, and not serrate (shared with G. nanonocticolus); pectoral-fin spine stout, serrate along posterior margin (shared with G. stroudi); and a terminal mouth (vs. subterminal in G. nanonocticolus and G. stroudi). New taxon: Gelanoglanis travieso Rengifo and Lujan

Optimal allocation of Red List assessments to guide conservation of biodiversity in a rapidly changing world

Abstract The IUCN Red List is the most extensive source of conservation status assessments for species worldwide, but important gaps in coverage remain. Here, we demonstrate the use of a spatial prioritization approach to efficiently prioritize species assessments to achieve increased and up‐to‐date coverage efficiently. We focus on freshwater fishes, which constitute a significant portion of vertebrate diversity, although comprehensive assessments are available for only 46% of species. We used marxan to identify ecoregions for future assessments that maximize the coverage of species while accounting for anthropogenic stress. We identified a set of priority regions that would help assess one‐third (ca 4000 species) of all freshwater fishes in need of assessment by 2020. Such assessments could be achieved without increasing current investment levels. Our approach is suitable for any taxon and can help ensure that species threat assessments are sufficiently complete to guide global conservation efforts in a rapidly changing world.