Ichthyofauna of the reserva biológica guaribas and surrounding areas, state of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

The removal and management of the Atlantic Forest over the past centuries caused the destruction of most of this ecosystem. Among the few remaining areas of Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco River is the Reserva Biológica (REBIO) Guaribas. This study inventoried the ichthyofauna of the REBIO Guaribas (Mamanguape, Paraíba) and its surroundings. Two streams were sampled bimonthly (1 within the REBIO and the other adjacent to it) and another 11 additional sites were sampled once, resulting in 18 species of fish (7 families and 7 orders). Characiformes was the most representative order, with12 species. This species list is an important tool for impact assessments as well as conservation and management plans, given the current state of knowledge about Brazilian rivers and streams, especially those of the northeastern Atlantic Forest.