Genetic biodiversity and conservation of Salminus brasiliensis in the Parana, Urugai and Guaíba river basins

Fishing stocks have been used since a long time by local communities and, more recently for industrial, professional and sport fishing. At the Plate river Basin, fish resources play a very important role as the basis of local and regional economies. Those stocks are largely affected by processes that causes loss of the aquatic ecosystems quality, such as dams building and other river intervention which provokes fragmentation, pollution by agrochemicals and mining wastes; introduction of exotic species, deforestation, siltation and many other. The drastically diminution and extinction of some fish species’ populations are a matter of concern among researchers, related governmental authorities and civil society sectors. Despite of the economic value and the interest to know how the fish stocks can be better maintained, there are insufficient information for supporting proper conservation and sustainable use programs. One of the most exploited specie at the Plate Basin is the dourado (Salminus brasiliensis). It is one of the largest freshwater scam fish from South Atlantic, and, at the region where the project is to be developed (Southern Part of the Plate Basin) the dourado (Salminus brasiliensis) is already classified as vulnerable to extinction. Some conservation strategies for fish species are already being taken at the Plate River Basin, such as the repopulation, which is of special interest to programs for restoring fish stock decreased by dam construction (and is being used by Itaipu Dam - a large tri national dam constructed at the region) and in natural areas where ecosystem quality loss, or illegal fishing was intense. The “repopulation” (introduction of fish specimens at one area, to recover the population size), while seems applicable, lacks information on genetic variability of natural population and risks of introduction of newdiseases’. The knowledge on genetic biodiversity and population genetic structure are important elements for guiding conservation programs (in situ) or repopulation efforts. For instance, genetic data can provide information on the size and connectivity of populations among a river or other aquatic system. In this context, the project will approach genetic biodiversity. The project proposes to analyze the genetic structure of dourado’s population at the Paraná, Uruguay and Guaiba River Basins, for generating information on genetic variability and distribution (including aspects of genitic flux pattern and the effective population size). In this way, the project intends to contribute for the conservation and management programs of dourado at the target region, providing basic information for developing recommendations, for instance, on procedures for reintroduction of specimens during repopulation efforts; and on maintainance of genetic biodiversity in natural habitats under pressure by fishing. It is expected that findings from the project will enable comparison of genetic biodiversity between small (Jacuí, Sinos River) and large size rivers (Paraná and Uruguay River) which can (potentially) contribute to evaluate fragmentation impact on natural population and identification of populations that are at risk (low level of genetic variability). The information generated by this study will be disseminated/returned to local key actors (public and private sectors, river basin management committees and local communities). Finding will substantiate recommendations for management and conservation to e elaborated in the framework of the project. The specific objectives and main activities of the project are: 1 - To investigate the distribution and the variability genetic quantity of the dourado in the Paraná, Uruguay and Guaiba Rivers, characterizing the genetic structure of the populations. Processing of 137 samples of Salminus brasiliensis specimens; Information evaluating on genetic diversity; Information evaluating on diversity level for each population 2 - To produce information (on genetic biodiversity and population genetic structure) that could support recommendations to programs for creation and repopulation of the specie Salminus brasiliensis contributing for the construction of conservation and management approaches. Utilization of tools (software) to analyze the information on genetic diversity and production of the proposed pattern; Publication of the results in scientific magazines and broader dissemination to public and private sectors; main river basin management committees at the study area; governmental authorities and others. 3 - To sensitize and inform the aim public in relation to the strategic importance in the management of fishes stocks, with the dissemination of publication which will include the projects outputs and related information. Take actions on environmental education. Meetings with target (riverine) community to discuss and raise awareness in relation to management requirements Production of 500 “booklets” and distribution to riverine communities and general public. Booklets will consider the findings from the project on the specie conservation.