Distribution and conservation of annual fi shes (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) in the municipality of Chuí, southern Brazil

Abstract

This study is based on captures of annual fi shes conducted from August 2004 to June 2009, aiming at the dissemination of data on their occurrence, distribution and conservation in the municipality of Chuí. Four species were recorded: Austrolebias charrua Costa e Cheffe, Austrolebias luteofl ammulatus (Vaz-Ferreira, Sierra-de-Soriano e Scaglia-de-Paulete), Austrolebias prognathus (Amato) and Cynopoecilus melanotaenia (Regan), captured at 14 different sampling points distributed in the floodplains of Chuí and São Miguel streams, near the road of Barra do Chuí. All ponds where annual fi shes were recorded in Chuí were altered by some form of human activity, arising mainly from rice culture and trampling by cattle. The main area of annual fish occurrence in the municipality that is most relevant to conservation is located in the fl oodplain of the Chuí stream.

Keywords

• Área úmida
• Austrolebias
• Peixes ameaçados
• Unidade de conservação