Fishes of three Bolivian rivers: Diversity, distribution and conservation

Two teams of ichthyologists surveyed the freshwater fishes of the Rio Tahua manu. Rio Manuripi and Rio Nareuda, Pando, Bolivia at 85 collecting station s for 17 days. They captured 313 species of which 91 are new records for Bo livia. These records bring the total fauna of Bolivia to 641 species and fo r the Bolivian Amazon to 501 species. This small region in northeastern Bol ivia contains 62.5% and 48.8% of all the species known to inhabit the Boliv ian Amazon and Bolivia, respectively. This region must be recognized as a p otential hotspot of fish species richness. The habitats of which these fish es depend is discussed from which we recommend preservation of key flooded areas, main river channel, and small streams or tributaries ies passing thr ough terra firme habitats. A large percentage of the fauna has high economi c value as food or ornamental fishes. Stocks are in need of immediate evalu ation and exportation of food fishes need to be regulated as soon ns possib le.