Samples were taken from November 1983 to October 1989 in sites along the main body of the Itaipu reservoir and its area of influence to evaluate the impacts of this reservoir on ichthyofauna and to provide information about the colonization process in the dammed area. The ichthyofaunistic similarity between the sites was analysed during the studied period. Spatial and temporal variations of the ichthyofaunistic diversity were also done, using Shannon-Winer Index of Diversity, eveness and species richness, comparing the results with those obtained before the damming. After Itaipu Reservoir formation, it was observed significative alteration in specific abundance and ichthyofauna structure of the Paraná River, with an increase in species number in ali tributaries of the reservoir, and a high replacement in species. Diversity and species richness were higher in the dammed stretch of the Paraná river and in its tributaries of the left side after the Itaipu reservoir formation. Among the sampled sites, the highest values of the diversity index were registered in Paraná River upstream and downstream the reservoir, Iguatemi river and Arroio Guaçu. Based on information of similarity in species composition and abundance in the sampled area, five site groups could be identified.
Ichthyofauna; Paraná river; Itaipu reservoir; diversity; similarity