Morphological deformities in the invasive driftwood catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil: a sign of human impact?

• Published in: Journal of fish biology Vol. 99; no. 3; pp. 1145 - 1149
• Main Authors: Ferraz, João D., Jarduli, Lucas R., Garcia, Diego A. Z., Casimiro, Armando C. R., Almeida, Fernanda S., Orsi, Mário L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Anomalies; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic communities; Barbels; basin fragmentation; cascade of reservoirs; Catfish; contaminants; Driftwood; Environmental management; Environmental monitoring; Fins; Fish; Freshwater fishes; Human impact; Human influences; Indigenous species; Management systems; Morphology; Paranapanema River; Pelvis; Pollution; Protected species; River basins; Rivers; South America; Trachelyopterus galeatus; Brazil
• ISSN: 0022-1112; 1095-8649
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14799

In this study, the authors report morphological deformities in driftwood catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus (Auchenipteridae), an invasive catfish occurring in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. The frequency of anomalous individuals reached 18.3% of all catches. X‐ray images showed anomalies, or total absence of structures, in the pelvic girdle. The authors also observed the absence of the adipose fin and mental barbels. These findings are of extreme importance for evidencing the anthropogenic impact on aquatic communities as the region suffers within fragmentation by dams and pollution from several human activities. This sort of information can be used in management systems and environmental monitoring, especially to protect other species and the native fish assemblage.