Ichthyological survey of Maciço da Pedra Branca and surroundings, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State

Abstract

The check-list and spatial distribution of the icthyofauna of Maciço da Pedra Branca and its surroundings, raised between July, 2002 and December, 2003, is presented. The studied area shows 38 endemic species and five non indigenous, distributed in the aquatic environments in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Changes in environment led three species to extinction, and the reising of city could lead to other losses in the ichthyofauna of the region. A brief comment is presented about conservation of this icthyofauna and its biothopes, with some perspectives of management.