This study used microsatellites markers to determine the genetic diversity of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) groups collected at passage ladders of the hydroelectric plants (HEP) Canoas I (CI) and Canoas II (CII) - Paranapanema River - and of a broodstock and a progeny in stock enhancement programs in that river. The microsatellite loci produced 16 alleles and a similar heterozygosity between the individuals of the river at both times of collection (CI14 = 0.7356, CI28 = 0.7361, CII14 = 0.7442, and CII28 = 0.7507), as well of the broodstock and the progeny (0.7261 and 0.7287, respectively). Deviations were observed in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and negative values of fixation index with excess of heterozygosity indicated endogamy absence. The genetic diversity analyses (distance and genetic identity, Shannon index, F ST, and AMOVA) were signs of low genetic differentiation, and they led to the clustering of river individuals, suggesting that the species is genetically structured as a single population. Low genetic differentiation and high values of numbers of migrates among the river, the stock, and the progeny individuals were verified, suggesting a common origin derived from the constant stocks enhancement programs accomplished in that river with those stock populations.
fish; genetic conservation; genetic diversity; passage ladders
