Characterization of parasitic fauna and genetic variability of Myloplus tiete from the Paraná River, State of São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 24/00733-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Inland Water Fishery Resources
• Principal Investigator: Aline Cristina Zago
• Grantee: Aline Cristina Zago
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fábio Porto-Foresti ; Igor Paiva Ramos ; Juan Antonio Balbuena Díaz-Pinés ; Lidiane Franceschini ; Ricardo Utsunomia
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/10075-5 - Activity plan for the TT-1 Grant for the project "Characterization of the parasitic fauna and genetic variability of Myloplus tiete from the Paraná River, State of São Paulo, Brazil", BP.TT; 25/06060-2 - Activity plan for the TT-1 Grant for the project "Characterization of the parasitic fauna and genetic variability of Myloplus tiete from the Paraná River, State of São Paulo, Brazil", BP.TT

Abstract

Brazil has a worldwide prominence in relation to its fish fauna, which is represented by a great richness and diversity. Myloplus tiete, popularly known as "pacu rosa", is an endemic threatened fish species from Brazil, being found only in specific sites in the Paraná River basin. In this context, it is necessary to carry out research that serves as a basis for conservation actions, such as those related to the knowledge of the basic biology of the species, including studies of parasitological and genetic aspects. In addition, scientific information on M. tiete is scarce, with difficulties in understanding its current threat status. Thus, the present research project aims to characterize the parasitic fauna and intrapopulational genetic variability of M. tiete from the Paraná River, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Fifty specimens of M. tiete from the reservoir of the Hydroelectric Power Plant "Engenheiro Souza Dias" (Jupiá), in the Paraná River, between the municipalities of Castilho, State of São Paulo and Três Lagoas, State of Mato Grosso do Sul will be analyzed. All fish specimens will be necropsied and analyzed for parasitological (characterization, composition, and structure of the parasitic community) and genetic (intrapopulation genetic variability through analysis of the number of alleles, levels of heterozygosity, deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and possible population bottlenecks) aspects. Possible correlations between the genetic profile of the host and the parasite abundance of M. tiete will also be analyzed, using the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient, according to data normality. We hope to be able to contribute through the results obtained with future studies that aim to outline strategies for the conservation of M. tiete. (AU)