FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN LAKES OF THE QUIUINI RIVER, A TRIBUTARY OF THE BLACK RIVER, AMAZONAS, BRAZIL

The objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize the composition and structure of fish assemblages in the black water lakes in the middle Black river, to generate information that can assess the relevance of its fish fauna, both on the local and regional context. Samples were collected in four black waters lakes of the Quiuini river, municipality of Barcelos (AM), during the period of flood and dry, in 2012. The composition of fish assembly was investigated by abundance and biomass. The diversity was determined by the Shannon-Wiener indices, dominance Berger-Parker and Equitability. A total of 1,985 individuals, belonging to 82 species, six orders and 22 families were collected. Characiformes and Siluriformes were dominant groups, represented more than 90% of the total number of collected individuals. The absolute richness-indice (p= 0,05) and Berger-Parker (p= >0,05) indice’s not differ in the periods studied. The Maranhão lake had the largest richness captured (N=605). However, largest values of Shannon diversity were recorded for the Erudá and Cajutuba lakes. The landscape formed by the Quiuini river permit the diversity and abundance of species. As we can see in this study the richness and diversity of the fish fauna in lakes the Quiuini river still needs to be further explored in the other phases of the hydrological cycle (flooding and drying) to better understand distribution processes and patterns of fish assemblages in black water lakes. Keywords: Amazon basin; ichthyofauna; flood; dry; diversity