Status of studies about Brazilian bioindicator fishes, a review

Abstract

Abstract: Aim The freshwater environment is indeed diverse and complex, and it faces numerous challenges due to human activities. One approach to evaluating these human interventions is through the use of bioindicators, with fish being one of the key groups studied in the aquatic environment. However, the existent studies report that only a limited number of Brazilian ichthyofauna species have been investigated as potential bioindicators. Methods The data present here were organized through a bibliographic review that adopts an exploratory and descriptive approach, focusing on articles published between the years 2000 and 2022, utilizing terms such as “bioindicators,” “Brazilian fish,” and “aquatic ecosystem” in both Portuguese and English languages. Results Despite Brazil having the most diverse ichthyofauna on the planet, the research has focused on only 45 species thus far. Among these, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) emerged as the most frequently studied species. The analysis of gill and liver tissues was found to be the most common method employed in these studies, while other tissues received relatively little attention. Moreover, the distribution of studies on bioindicator species was uneven, with the Upper Paraná ecoregion having the highest number of species investigated. This suggests that research efforts in this field have not been uniformly distributed across Brazil. Conclusions The patchy nature of studies on bioindicators of the Brazilian ichthyofauna highlights the need for greater incentives and support for research in this area. With Brazil's exceptional ichthyofauna diversity, there is ample potential to identify and utilize additional species as environmental indicators. By expanding the scope of studies and addressing the geographical imbalance, a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of human activities on freshwater ecosystems in Brazil can be achieved. This knowledge is vital for effective conservation and management efforts to protect and sustain the country's valuable aquatic resources.