The fishfauna of Parque Nacional de Brasília, upper Paraná River basin, Federal District, Central Brazil

Abstract

The aims of this study were to survey the stream fishes of Parque Nacional de Brasília, Federal District, and identify its community structure variation. We sampled streams in the Bananal and Santa Maria/Torto sub-basins at Upper Paraná River. Lotic systems in this region are well preserved, as indicated by environmental integrity and the maintenance of native biological components. A total of 8,614 individuals were collected belonging to four orders, nine families, and twenty-eight species (being 11 new to science). The predominant order was Characiformes, followed by Siluriformes. Poecilia reticulata was the only nonnative fish specie found. Astyanax sp. and Hyphessobrycon balbus displayed widest spatial distribution. The most abundant species was Knodus moenkhausii with 64.5% of individuals. Highest fish richness and abundance were found in the wider and deeper stretches.