The highways construction impact on the fish diversity: Is there a risk for vector-borne diseases?

Background & objectives: Fresh water fish are among the primary agents of biological control of mosquitoes species that transmit infectious diseases. Unfortunately, these fishes are also one of the most threatened groups of local extinction due to anthropic action as the construction and dualling of highways, thus directly influencing the control of disease vectors. Monitoring the ichthyo fauna streams is a fundamental tool to mitigate possible outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and arboviruses, especially on endemic zones such as the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Methods: This work presents a detailed survey of stretches of the Sγo Joγo River under the influence of the BR101 dualling in Rio de Janeiro state. For this, using various techniques, 14 points of the basin under the influence of the highway were sampled. Results: We identified 54 species in the distinct locations alongside the river basin, although the composition of each point was quite different. At each point, species with larvae eating habit were found. However, possible impacts were also ascertained that may result in the local change of the fish communities with the potential loss of bio services. Interpretation & conclusion: With this, we point out that monitoring, favoring gene flow, conscious rest ocking, and control of exoticichthy of auna can be used to avoid loss of diversity and, consequently, the emergence of mosquito-borne diseases.