Ichthyofauna of the inner shelf of Paraná, Brazil: checklist, geographic distribution, economic importance and conservation status

Abstract

Abstract Comprehensive species checklists are essential to effectively implementing preservation and recovery measures, and should assess conservation status, vulnerability degree and anthropogenic threats. This checklist was compiled from fish species recorded in surveys conducted over the last 30 years in the shallow inner continental shelf in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Information on biogeography, conservation status, economic importance and degree of species’ vulnerability are provided. A total of 272 fish species were recorded, spanning 25 orders and 88 families. The most speciose family was Sciaenidae (25 species), followed by Carangidae (23), Engraulidae (10), Carcharhinidae (9), Epinephelidae (9) and Paralichthyidae (9). Most species occurring in Paraná’s shallow inner continental shelf are restricted to the West Atlantic. In terms of economic importance, 93% (253) of the species recorded were of fishery, aquaculture or aquaria interest. A notable fraction (39%) of the recorded species was classified as having moderate to very high vulnerability to extinction. In particular, 28 species (10%) were listed as globally endangered, and 34 species (12%) were listed as endangered in the Brazilian territory.