Abundância das larvas de peixes e sua relação com o nível das águas na confluência dos rios Solimões e Negro e no lago Catalão, Amazonas – Brasil.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamics of occupation by fish larvae in a flood plain lake located in the middle Amazon (Catalão Lake) and to estimate the spawning area of the fishes in their surroundings (Negro and Solimões rivers). Twelve campaigns were carried out considering the oscillations at the river level during a hydrometric cycle of 2015-2016 in nine points. Three points are located in the region of Catalan Lake, three in the connecting channel between Catalan Lake and the Negro River and three in the region of the Catalan Lake coast, on the Solimões River. The fishing equipment used was a conical-cylindrical net, with a mesh size of 350 μm and measuring 1.5m in length. The mouth of the net measures 50cm in diameter and has a collecting cup attached to the back end. An iron weight of approximately 8 kg was adapted in the net to give stability. The environmental variables were measured using a multi-parameter digital equipment of the brand (YSI) and the transparency of the water with sechii disc. The network was held against current with the aid of an aluminum boat of 8 meters. During collection of the eggs and larvae, the material was fixed in 10% formalin for fixing the larvae. After laboratory screening the eggs and larvae were preserved in 4% formalin solution. For sorting and taxonomic identification, we used magnifying glasses and optical microscopes. A total of 54 eggs and 19.110 fish larvae belonging to 6 orders, 18 families, 23 genera and 33 species were captured. The order Characiformes presented the greatest abundance and diversity in the 21 to 23m elevation quota at the river level. (F=3,79 df= 35 p=0,0001966). In the Negro river greater abundance of larvae was of Clupeiformes. In Catalão Lake, there were the occurrence of Clupeiformes eggs and larvae of two species of fish: Plagioscion squamosissimus and Triportheus albus. The T. albus species occurred only in Catalão Lake, indicating the spawning activity at the site. Among migratory fish, at least one species of Characiformes, T. albus and Clupeiformes spawn in Catalan lake. It was observed that the coast of Catalão Lake is an extensive spawning area used by several species of migratory Characiformes and canonical correlation analysis indicated that oxygen, temperature and electrical conductivity are determinants for the spawning process of migratory fish species.