Neotropical fish as indicators of aquatic contamination

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems are strongly affected by human activities, which bring harmful consequences for biota due to toxic effects on development and reproduction. Within this context, deserves special attention the consequences of organisms exposition to endocrine disrupters, chemicals in the environment that can interfere with the functions of the endocrine system. Sulamerican countries are not exempt from these problems, however, the information of the effects of contaminants on neotropical ichthyic fauna are inconclusive to support public policy actions for conservation, and prevailing contribute to the resolution of the effects of pollutants on the reproductive physiology of fish. The aim of the proposal is to complement studies of research groups in Brazil and Argentina, to investigate the effect of pollutants as endocrine disruptors and of metabolism, analyzing reproductive physiology and behavior of teleost already being studied in both countries. The proposal aims to understand better the origin, nature and mechanisms underlying the abnormalities of reproductive function caused by pollution, and contribute to the training of researchers in the context of integrate ecotoxicology, reproduction and animal behavior. (AU)