Migração e movimentos do grumatã (Prochilodus lineatus, Valenciennes, 1836) (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) no Rio dos Sinos, RS, Brasil, determinados por radiotelemetria

Abstract

Life strategy, population structure and behavior are fundamental elements for the comprehension of fish biology and essential for conservation. The grumatã, (Prochilodus lineatus; Prochilodontidae) is a reophilic migratory species of economical importance for local fisheries. It is widely distributed in Brazil. During the last decades grumatã populations seem to have declined due to river damming by power plant constructions, pollution, habitat degradation and heavy fishing pressure. The present study investigated circadian and seasonal activity patterns, spawning migration and habitat use. Between August 2002 and March 2003 nineteen Grumatã were tagged internally with digitally coded radio transmitters (149 MHz). Mobile tracking was carried out weekly by boat or aircraft. Additionally six data loggers recorded movements of tagged fish. Results showed that the mean distance covered per fish and day was positively related with fish weight (r2 =0.3102; p=0.013). Grumatã showed a preference for river reaches su