Hybrids between Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and P. reticulatum (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) previously reported in the Upper Paraná River are likely escapes from aquaculture farms: evidence from microsatellite markers

ABSTRACT The production of hybrids of the 'pintado', Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Spix & Agassiz, 1829) and 'cachara', Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889) in captivity has generated many concerns about the possibility of introduction of farmed hybrids into natural environments. In the last decade, hybrids between these species, known as 'pintachara' or 'cachapinta', were reported from different regions of the Upper Paraná River basin. Prospection of these hybrids is important in order to orient conservation programs for the species involved. Knowledge of the presence of these hybrids will direct conservation strategies towards prevention and/or mitigation of the effects of cross breeding in natural populations of P. corruscans (the native species of the genus) and farmed hybrids. In this study, surveyed the larval population using molecular tools to detect the presence and assess the origin (natural hybridization or escapes from fish farms) of hybrids in natural water bodies. Nine microsatellite markers were used to detect signals of hybridization and introgression of P. reticulatum in larvae and adults of P. corruscans in Upper Paraná River basin, between Itaipu Dam and Porto Primavera Dam. The specimens were sampled in the Upper Paraná channel and in tributaries where hybrids had been detected in the past, during two reproductive seasons. Despite of that, no sign of hybridization and introgression was found in the 171 larvae and 75 adults sampled, suggesting that the specimens detected in previous studies had originated from escapes of aquaculture farms.