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Fragmentation of a Neotropical migratory fish population by a century-old dam

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Abstract

Loss of connectivity in impounded rivers is among the impacts imposed by dams, and mitigation measures such as fish passages might not accomplish their purpose of reestablishing an efficient bi-directional gene flow in the fish populations affected. As a consequence, fish populations remain fragmented, and a new interpopulational structure may develop, with increased risk of reduced genetic diversity and stochastic extinction. In order to evaluate the effects of the Gavião Peixoto Dam, which was constructed almost a century ago on the Jacaré-Guaçu River in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil, a comparative morphometric study was undertaken on the populations of the Neotropical migratory characid fish Salminus hilarii living up- and downstream of this dam. Population dynamics, spatial segregation, and habitat use by different age classes were monitored for 2 years. We found that segregation caused by the dam and long periods with no efficient connection by fish passages have led to fragmentation and interpopulational structuring of S. hilarii, as revealed by canonical variable analysis of morphometric features. The fish populations occupying the up- and downstream sections have succeeded in performing short-distance reproductive migrations in the main river and tributaries, have found suitable habitats for completing their life cycle, and have been able to maintain distinct small-sized populations so far.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all the people who have helped in the field work, CPFL Energy for logistical support, and CAPES (Coordination of Higher Education Improvement) for a grant to ALHE. We also acknowledge the Graduate Program of Comparative Biology of University of São Paulo for financial support, and thank CG Froehlich and two anonymous referees for their valuable suggestions on the manuscript, and JW Reid for linguistic revision.

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  1. Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil

    André L. H. Esguícero & Marlene S. Arcifa

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  1. André L. H. Esguícero
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  2. Marlene S. Arcifa
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Correspondence to André L. H. Esguícero.

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Esguícero, A.L.H., Arcifa, M.S. Fragmentation of a Neotropical migratory fish population by a century-old dam. Hydrobiologia 638, 41–53 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-0008-2

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