Invasion risk assessment of non-native species and fish histopathological characterization of the Upper Tietê Basin, São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 22/00851-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): June 05, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Inland Water Fishery Resources
• Principal Investigator: Juliana de Souza Azevedo
• Grantee: Amanda de Azevedo Valle
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The study of the impact of the introduction of exotic species in aquatic ecosystems has played a significant role in continental ichthyofauna studies. When introduced to a new environment, these can cause a disturbance to the system, being the start of the ecological deterioration of the environment. Introduced fish species in urbanized watersheds have special attention since as anthropic actions can intensify intentional or accidental introductions. In addition, the ichthyofauna from urbanized areas can express more the consequences of anthropic deterioration, and receive more exposure to possible xenobiotic agents. In this context, the goal of this study is to perform an analysis of the risk of invasion and to evaluate the fish species' health kept and commercialized in fisheries at the Upper Tietê basin, in the Billings-Tamanduateí and Cotia-Guarapiranga sub-basins. The invasion risk assessment will be performed using the Software Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), which allows the analysis of the invasion potential of exotic species of freshwater fish, considering also aspects of climate change. Evaluation of the health of the species will be realized by histologic characterization of the hepatic tissue. It is expected that, through this project, data will be obtained that can help managers regarding sustainable management and the adoption of effective strategies for fisheries management in the region.(AU)