Guia ilustrado das espécies de peixes do gênero Astyanax (Characidae) do baixo rio Iguaçu

Abstract

Fish have a great diversity and represent the largest group among vertebrates. They are important for human nutrition, national economy and also for the environment. Based on these data, the fishes of the genus Astyanax, belonging to the Characidae family and the order Characiformes, were further explored. It was found that the species have a large number of individuals, which have a complex taxonomic identification due to the degree of morphological similarity. Thus, an illustrated guide was built, with drawings and photographs of fish of the genus Astyanax captured in the Jirau Alto River, in the city of Dois Vizinhos-PR, lower Iguaçu River basin. The selected species were: Astyanax altiparanae, Astyanax bifasciatus, Astyanax dissimilis, Astyanax gymnodontus, Astyanax gymnogenys and Astyanax minor. The guide presents information that highlights the general characteristics of each species, but focuses efforts on specific characters that are considered decisive for the separation of these congeneric species. As a first step in the elaboration, photographs of the representatives were taken, which are stored in the Zoology laboratory of the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos. The next step was the detailed illustration of the fishes, following an appropriate taxonomic identification key. After these activities, we tried to assemble boards that follow a pattern: first the drawings and then the photograph of the species. With the results obtained through the observations and the analysis of the bibliographic reference, the morphological differences between the species were emphasized, and the fundamental importance of the guide was concluded, because it brings with it a load of data that improves the learning and the perception of the complex theme dealt with in the guide.