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Winter Ethnobiology Journal of THE AND CONSERVATION IN ETHNOICHTHYOLOGY FISH PIRACICABA RIVER (BRAZIL) ALPINA BEGUI RENATO SILVANO and M, A. ofCampi Amhientais, University Estudos Pesquisas e Campinas (SPl Brazil CEP: 13083 970, ABSTRACT.— impounded The knowledge The aims work are to verify the of this established small scale fishery. compare and and behavior, to biology fishermen about fish River of Piracicaba Wp with ques- We fishermen T_j^. interviewed 22 .„ i^f^rr^^^ti^n .,.._ knowledee ...-^^..^f;. information. , to scientific tionnaires knowled common and com- know better the Fishermen and migratory patterns. duction influencmg loca Important factors than the rare ones. mercially valuable fishes their and abundance of the fishes, /., i„j... ..^ ,1.^ .vraciUu,ea ai.u auu.,«».^.^ ^^ - ., . , . , ,knowledge are tne ethnoichthyological „,' obse-e s^ôrmr.e^ which fishermen with and frequency the usefulness in the fishery, ^"* of fishes^ ^°^^ feeding habits) °/ (such as of the biological attributes *^!, literature. ^^ from the scientific knowledge agreed with observations '^^- J^^'^ jeae anj they f-h among and exotic native relafionships derstand the trophic valuable nios of the preferences know and the habitat mieratorv patterns the Such knowledge research. improving biological important for is Key fishermen. * * -en'e-e" ^^fpLcaba de pequena estabelecida escala, possuen, ^ p>:>i««"." que 05 conhecunento em: o tern verificar pop- mnhecimento comparar este e dos peixes comportamento l<^^27sJJis sobre a biobgia e R>ram f'«"!'»*', com Informa^L cienMficas. ular "J^^f^pe^cadores as esp^^^^^^^ e dequesHo„.iosbaseados™.o.ogra«asd connecimeiuu -^ urn apresentaram entrevistados dos mieratorios ^.^roes vL .e^pora^^ dees, espadal e dist.bui?.o "f'tjs'oZs comercia, de e conhecem O aaDbuunnudca.nuc.i.aa r v. e a do valor que as especies raras. biol6- ^^ atributos ^^^^ bem como observa.ao fre^^^^^^^^^ o_pescador, a conhed- o i^fluenciando Muitas Os e as alimentares bem }^ rela?5es cadores conhecem as r" dos peixes f^^Q^îîs migratonos ^/^''" bem como padroes de exoticas, os 4^^^ estrat^gias â podem c populares mais informaôes de valiosos. Estas J^grias tropicals mesmo pesca que demonstram manejo resultados da pesca. Estes SILVANO 286 and BEGOSSI Vol. 22, No. 2 um pequena como escala e estabelecidas recentemente sao importantes re cultural, que deve ser utilizado para guiar e auxiliar na pesquisa biologica. RESUME. La zone de retenue du fleuve Piracicaba soutient une recente pech< echelle. Cette etude a pour but de determiner connaissance des la cheurs connaissance pecheurs en des utilisant questionnaires poissons. Les pecheurs interroges ont I connaissance repartition geographiques mode et temporelle, de leur de reproduction de et et migration. Les pecheurs mieux connaissent les poissons ordinaires poissons et les commerciaux que les especes rares. L'ethnoichtyologie depend locale essentielle- ment de la valeur marchande et de I'abondance des poissons, de leur pour utilite les pecheries, et de la frequence avec laquelle les pecheurs observent certains des attributs biologiques des poissons—modes d'alimentation par exemple. Les con- naissances populaires correspondent en grande aux partie observations scienti- comprennent connaissent I'habitat prefere des poissons les plus prises. Les resultats de cette etude montrent que les connaissance populaire dans les pecheries troDicales de Detite echelles pechi recherche biologique. INTRODUCTION Ethnobiological studies have been new furnishing information biological about insects (Posey (Goodman 1983), reptiles and Hobbs and (Johannes 1994) fish Such 1981). information, properly interpreted using frame- if a biological sciences may work, be useful to biologists knowledge (Johannes 1993). Biological folk re- mains and studied, little is being threatened by the disappearance indigenous of and influence of urbanization (Johannes Posev Wester 1978; 1983; Yongvanit There two are ethnobiological knowl theories dealing with the basis of folk eage. ne view i utilitarian argues that people should know organisms with useful more (Hunn detail The 1982). mentalistic view knowledge pri- states that folk is marily influenced by factors other than the usefuhiess organisms, such as of the abundance their in the environment (Berlin 1992). Ethnoichthyological research provides and marine evidence both that river small-scale fishermen have well established knowledge and of biology clas- fish sification (Begossi and Garavello 1990; Johannes Paz and Begossi 1996). 1981; Comparative show studies that folk knowledge with usually in accord scientific is data^ (Marques and 1991; Poizat Baran 1997). For example. island fisher- Pacific men's information regarding marine the fish reproduction helped in scientists management of fish stocks (Johannes Northeastern fishermen 1981). Brazilian mentioned that the eshiarine Arius fish (Ephemeroptera) herzbergii eats insects during months certain of the year. This information was and con- investieated ETHNOBIOLOGY JOURNAL OF 287 2002 Winter new food chain thus revealing a stomach content analysis, (Marques 1991). ?s may research alone al manage most tropical such fishery In cases, knowledge from fishermen's (Johani butions such environments, freshwater in tropical American ri^ information ethnoichthyolo may guiaeimes both which serve as information agement bringing to light tool, and and quick a and Baran as 1997) (Marques Poizat 1991; research biological for (Chapman Johannes 1981, 1987; way data assessing biological inexpensive to 1998). _..,.:„. ^ ^ Southeastern fishermen and Begossi 1998; Silvano and Begossi 1995; urban (Castro near centers located umts, subject "cultural small be regarded as can Such Vera villages et 1997). al. The characteristics and ecological economic, social to a distinctive set of political, River of relatively impounded Piracicaba is small scale commercial fishery at the Bomta Barra of the with the creation around 1962 started recent origin, as it mod- environmental by threatened been has This fishery Reservoir (Torloni 1994). — — ^^^^ sSuUcChH iiiedUUllb dS Ucllll LUil&LiLHî.i'-'*i/ 1^^^ "«™".^•. "' °r^C i. with a decline, will °^ the fishery gossi 1998). likely that It is P'"™;''; upper R':^"- polluted happened the in knowledge; has already folk this A documaêd cons d- be should knowledge We su (Silvano believe that 1997^. mam *"jP^ °f The '«= Hsh conservation. ering usefulness for "l^-^f potential its heme" Rrver knowledge of Piracicaba f ^^^^^'^^ document sent shidy the to is knowledge such basis for the We investigate bioloev and behavior. also intend to to compare with ichthyolo it ethnoidithyological informati< METHODS The Piracicaba River in dischar with a River two o shidy in We out this carried , inhabited (Figure Maria da Serra 1), These ror utî Brazil, southeastern Many Begossi (1998). and the study Silvano sites see "TZrand^^c^^^^^ (Silvano and weekends during only belong being visited to tourists, We ^^^^^- past. the had fished in ^nooww or who women 1.. fi.h ^ tisn We men and ^^^_ interviewed questionnaire SILVANO BEGOSSI 288 and Vol. 22, No. 2 FIGURE 1. fishing Serra The habitats, reproduction, and migratory movements. :e, manner a understandable by interviewed fishermen, the swer much in as time they wanted. For each a color fish, same in the randomized order oeoule interviewed. for all The What name 1) is the of this What does 2) this fish eat? Which animals 3) or other on this fish? 1 Where does 4) this fish livp JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY 289 2002 Winter S g £ e fi m :3 :5 a; .2 .2 .3 o T3 73 T3 ^ ^ w o 1 s0) ecj ea> J ^ S I e e c ^ On C^D O Lo a^ T— in cTj a^ in 00 I in -^ V C^ rî vO rO 00 a^ (N CN to o 00 ô o O in 00 (N -rt^ CO CNCNOT-HO(NfN(N r-j O ON I? TO ^ C/i ON ep/^ ON a 1/1 o 4 o X, c ON o e O CA o c ON e o U o ^ U ^ *= S « S -S S S 'S- S! ^ « _o a; 13 "3 X 5 Vj t3 a, 1^ SILVANO BEGOSSI 290 and Vol. 22, No. 2 — TABLE Comparison number among p< 2. of the of doubts ten fish species 57; (x 0.05 9; and 0,01) six biological attributes 120; V 0,01). (x 0.50 5; Number Number Fish species doubts of Biological attributes of doubts Astyanax himaculatus 9 diet 23 Hoplias malabaricus 8 habitat 4 Liposarciis aff. anisitsi 11 migration 23 Pimelodus spp. 9 predators 4 Plagioscion squamosissimus 8 reproduction 66 Prochilodus lineatus 8 seasonal occurrence 13 Rhamdia 23 sp. Salminus maxillosiis 12 Stcindachnerina inscidpta 9 Tdapia rendalli 36 When found is this fish Does move 6) this fish along the river? To where? Duration of interviews varied, depending on knowledge and the objectivity of We the interviewed person. among selected ten fish species for study the 43 reg- istered in the Piracicaba River landings They wide fish (Silvano represent a 1997). range common of fishes that are and rare, native and exotic, great and small in and valuable size, discarded (Table Comparisons along these gradients should 1). mamtenance knowledge. The number some com people could not We compared fishermen's information with from data ollowing Marques (1991). All fish mentioned in this s mammals The zoologist Ivan Sazima^ identified the which were not ators, collected. Answers given such do know" (DNK) as 'T not were . knowledge. Considering that fishermen should know best t ological aspects with the number DNK, we com smallest of chi square test. u t RESULTS 1 We mterviewed men 17 and women, 5 corresponding about to dent fishers in the two The common villages. and names scientific studied lom Jtna {Plagioscion squamosissimus and the [Heckel], Sciaenidae ure 3]) uuipia yiuapia remain {Tilapia rendalli [[BBoouulleennggeerr]l,, River CCiicchhlliiddaaee)) aarree eexxoottiicc ttoo the Piracicaba basm. Considering the great variety of answers we show only those gathered, mentioned bv at l*>act 0(\ol r^( ;^t.^^.i mterviewees Factors Infli more knowledg doubts (less about Tilap which 57; p 0.05 9; JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY Winter 2002 291 FIGURE 2.—The cascudo, Liposarcus anisitsi aff. t 1 + FIGURE squamsisslmus. 3.—The corvina, Plagioscion 292 SILVANO and BEGOSSI No. Vol. 22, 2 4pA FIGURE simplified model of the food web in the Piracicaba River, following fish- ^^^'^°"^'^^"'^ Numbers ""''' '^'^ inside small P^^^^^^'-^- boxes^corre- snond rfl"'""^ spond to the percentage of mterviewees that mentioned the respective trophic Below link "^ °^ ^""^ "^''^ reported in the :r' rTp scie^ntific literature; iterrre ^'L''' letters ref:er^"ttoo sources: Fugi '"T (a) et al. 1996; (b) Bistoni et al. 1996; (c) Braga 1995. Winter 2002 JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY 293 m ov in 00 (T) -ô CN CO (N en '^ CO (N H I O K ^ (N CO LO in 00 rt^ ir» tx t:^ vc in tN ^D 00 -^ 0^ln'-^C^^l00O^00r0 cNco-ôorj-rtlNrO'^'^ o Vi 3 ^ o ^ u (N 00 vO CO I I a I Vl s: s Kin in in (2 '^ C 3 CNJ o Vl CI. en u CO u I ^ S in B u 3 U5 0) a. ^ o s o o i^n in (N rf CO I B u I a; Is 0) CO Tf vi en 00 «: s -J § a; 3 o I 2 o in 00 CL, OJ I i I ^ CO in cN 7i C CM in CO C2 a> U .^ Vj 0^ > w I r^-Si a; cs CO in a 03 o Q C ^3 ti CO 00 a- CO -^ OJ o a 55 Cl Vi « 3 o 3 u Vi Vi ^r. Wl Ui w g 'uJ) o I Sj C3 SJ ^ ^3 S" ** 3 OS C ^ (/3 ^ v. CD O X H w "13 "s « ^ =: c Si :=: rw **. O ^ P =: O b Z (/I as t2 OJ — SILVANO BEGOSSI 294 and Vol. 22, No. 2 known Some rare and of low economic value (Table of the best fish species 1). are of high economic value, such as the traira {Hoplias malaharicus [Bloch], Ery- corimba Steindach- thrinidae), Plngioscion squamosissimus, the {ProcJiilodus Jineatus ner, Prochilodontidae), and the lambari {Astyanax bimaculatus [Linnaeus], Chara- abundant mandi cidae), or are in the fish landings, such as the {catiish-Pimelodus and had Pimelodidae; Tables Considering biological aspects, fishermen spp., 1 2). more doubts about reproduction than about habitats and predators fish ^ (x^ 5. 05 = < Table 120; p 0.01; 2). — n I Comparison Folk Knowledge with Biological Literature sim of for the Piracicaba River fishes was constructed, based on fishermen citations regarding fish diets and predators. Each link of the food web, represented by arrows, corresponds to a certain proportion of fishermen's responses during interviews. The width of the arrows reflects proportion of citations referring to a tfie particular feeding relationship, hi Figure 4 and Table the fish diets according 3, below to scientific literature (letters referring to the sources) are presented the fish scientific names. There are four levels in the food web: primary consumers, primary secondary and carnivores, carnivores top allowing predators, the assign- ment was of feeding guilds for the fishes. possible to distinguish food specialist It (one or two kinds of food) from generalist (three or more kinds of food) fishes. were Specialists piscivorous {Plagioscion squamosissimus, Hoplias malaharicus, the dourado and [Salmimis maxillosus, Valenciennes]) detritivorous {Prochilodus lineatiis, Liposarcus aff. anisitsi) species. Generalists were omnivorous fishes such as Pime- lodus spp., the bagre (a catfish Rhamdia Pimelodidae), and Astyanax bimacu- sp., (Characidae). latus Fishermen mentioned mammals, most the cited being represented in and 17% êctivelv 35, 26 of fishermen, viranhas [Kn turtles (Phrynops geojfroanus [Schweigger] and Hydromedusa tectife most studied Fishermen mentioned a great divers which could be separated into lacustrine stream Tilapia rendalli), Pimelodus >, mentioned Table eralists (see 4). We observed that fishermen distinguished among migratory kinds of migratory movements, from fish tions (Figure Accordine fishermen's 6). to answ common during spring, whereas lineatus P. and were most maxillosus abundant summer. The S. in and was maxillosus associated with S. rainfall mentioned characteristics. In spite of fishermen this,