Premium
The genus G ymnotus ( G ymnotiformes: G ymnotidae) in A rgentina. How bad taxonomy results in poor regulations and no conservation
Author(s) -
Casciotta J.,
Almirón A.,
Sánchez S.,
Iwaszkiw J.,
Bruno M. C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/jai.12028
Subject(s) - biology , habitat , conservation status , taxonomy (biology) , ecology , genus , zoology , fishery
Summary Four species of the genus G ymnotus are present in A rgentina: G . inaequilabiatus, G . omarorum, G . pantanal, and G . sylvius , the last three species being recorded for the first time in freshwater courses. G ymnotus omarorum , G . pantanal , and G . sylvius together with others of the genus B rachyhypopomus are the group of fishes that bear the greatest impact in the trade as live bait for sport fishing in the northeastern region of A rgentina. Within this large area, only the provinces of C haco, C orrientes, and F ormosa have regulations for the catch, trade, and sale of species as live bait. Unfortunately, the species covered by legal regulations are G ymnotus carapo and B rachyhypopomus brevirostris , neither of which occurs in freshwater habitats of A rgentina. Comments are included as to how this bad taxonomy affects the regulations and conservation status of these species.