ABSTRACT. The goals of the present study were: 1) to test whether the shallow water ichthyofaunal diversity in the Formoso river (Pernambuco) varies between the upper and lower estuarine zones and between the dry and rainy season; and 2) to assess spatial and temporal shifts in their trophic categories. The fishes were collected bimonthly using beach seine. A total of 5,475 individuals were analyzed, belonging to 78 species, of which 51.3% were of reef origin. Carangidae and Gerreidae had the highest diversity, whereas Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Gerreidae were the most abundant. Among the dominant species (89%), Rhinosardinia amazonica was particularly common (36%). Most of the species were predators (75%), including species with carnivorous feeding habits of the 2 nd order (37.5%). The only statistically significant difference in diversity occurred between the lower and upper estuarine zones, being higher in the former. This is probably due to the higher morphological complexity, to the larger proportion of Rhizophora mangle (shelter and refuge for several fishes), and to the mud sediment that makes this a more productive area. The Trophic Contribution Factor (FCT) for the debris was higher in the upper estuarine zone, where there is a higher rate of silt and clay. This TCF for primary production was higher in the middle estuarine zone, where there is higher phytoplankton biomass. Most species were in the young ecophase, corroborating the importance of shallow waters in this tropical estuary as a natural nursery and shelter for several fish of ecological and economical importance. KEY WORDS. Ichtyophauna; feeding; mangroves; Pernambuco.RESUMO. O presente estudo avaliou: 1) se a diversidade da ictiofauna de águas rasas do Rio Formoso (Pernambuco) varia entre as zonas estuarinas superior e inferior, e entre os períodos seco e chuvoso e 2) se houve diferenças espaciais e temporais nas categorias tróficas dessa ictiofauna. Os peixes foram coletados bimestralmente com rede-de-arrasto tipo mangote. Foram coletados 5475 indivíduos pertencentes a 78 espécies, sendo 51,3% de origem recifal. Carangidae e Gerreidae tiveram a maior riqueza específica, enquanto Clupeidae, Engraulidae e Gerreidae a maior abundância. Entre as espécies dominantes (89%), destaca-se Rhinosardinia amazonica (36%). A maioria da ictiofauna é predadora (75%) e com hábito alimentar carnívoro de 2ª. ordem (37,5%). A diversidade foi significativamente mais elevada na zona superior do estuário. A zona superior do estuário é, provavelmente, mais produtiva devido a sua maior complexidade morfológica, à maior abundância de Rhizophora mangle (abrigo e refúgio para vários peixes) e ao sedimento lamoso. O Fator de Contribuição Trófica (FCT) de detritos foi maior na zona estuarina superior, onde há maior teor de silte e argila. O FTC para a produção primária foi mais elevado na zona estuarina média, onde há uma maior biomassa fitoplanctônica. A maioria das espécies encontrava-se em ecofase jovem, evidenciando a importância das águas rasas deste estuário tropic...

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RESUMOO presente estudo teve como objetivos identificar e caracterizar os principais fatores fisiográficos das áreas estuarinas em Pernambuco, assim como as ações antrópicas por elas sofridas; listar os peixes que vivem nesses estuários, atualizando as validações dos nomes científicos das espécies; e analisar a distribuição dos registros de ocorrência das espécies por estuário. Os dados para a análise dos estuários foram baseados em três trabalhos sobre áreas estuarinas em Pernambuco. As informações sobre a ictiofauna foram obtidas a partir de 25 monografias, dissertações, teses, livros e artigos científicos. Foram utilizadas imagens das áreas estuarinas obtidas através do aplicativo Google earth. Foram identificados 17 estuários em Pernambuco, onde a ictiofauna é pouco estudada. As maiores concentrações das pesquisas ocorreram no complexo estuarino de Itamaracá e no estuário do rio Formoso, porém para algumas áreas não existem informações sobre comunidade de peixes. Foram listadas 202 espécies de peixes válidas, sendo 52,5% delas associadas a recifes. Quanto à freqüência de ocorrência, Citharichthys spilopterus e Poecilia vivipara foram classificadas como muito freqüentes, enquanto Carangidae, Gerreidae, Ariidae e Haemulidae foram as famílias mais especiosas. Atualmente, as áreas estuarinas estão em acelerado processo de degradação devido aos aterros, despejos de esgotos domésticos e industriais, desenvolvimento urbano, viveiros de carcinicultura e construção/ampliação de portos em prol do crescimento econômico. Diante desse contexto, torna-se necessário que os órgãos de fomento à pesquisa em Pernambuco estimulem estudos nessas áreas para possibilitar uma pesca sustentável. Palavras 2 ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to gather data on estuaries in the state of Pernambuco and their fish fauna, identifying and characterizing the main physiographic traits of estuarine areas. Further aims were to study the anthropogenic influence over the estuaries, list the fish species (updating their scientific names) and analyze the distribution of species by estuary. The data for the analysis of the estuaries were based on three studies of estuarine areas in Pernambuco. Information on the fish fauna were obtained from 25 monographs, dissertations, theses, books and scientific articles. The images used were obtained from estuarine areas through the Google earth. Seventeen estuaries were identified in Pernambuco; there were few studies on the fish fauna of these estuaries. The largest number of studies addressed the estuarine environment of Itamaracá and Rio Formoso. No data on fish communities were found for some locations. Two hundred two valid species were listed, 52.5% were associated to reefs. Citharichthys spilopterus and Poecilia vivipara were classified as very frequent. Carangidae, Gerreidae, Ariidae and Haemulidae were the most species-rich families. Estuarine areas are currently suffering intense degradation mainly due to landfills, domestic and industrial sewage, urban development, shrimp farms and harbor co...

RESUMO ABSTRACTThe aims of the present study were to list the estuarine fish fauna in Brazil based on data compiled from papers published in periodicals and books, review the valid taxonomic nomenclature of the species and perform an ecological analysis of the similarities in ichthyofauna between segments. Data were compiled from 52 scientific papers and books on estuarine fish assemblages as well as species abundance lists.

In Brazil, the use and diversity of the common names of fish species, coupled with taxonomic uncertainties, hinder the reliability of fishing statistical data. In this scenario, there are the so-called pilombetas of the São Francisco River, an important fishing resource in region. Despite its importance, the real diversity of species identified in the area remains obscure. In order to properly identify and delimit the species popularly known as pilombetas, an integrative approach involving traditional taxonomy, geometric morphometrics and molecular systematics was applied. Results from geometric morphometrics and molecular analyses were consistent with the results of the traditional morphological analysis, also indicating the delimitation of six taxa belonging to Engraulidae in the lower São Francisco River. In addition, species delimitation methods revealed an intrapopulation genetic divergence of 1.7% for Lycengraulis grossidens. The results revealed that the currently known richness species of Engraulidae in the studied area has been underestimated. Thus, an updated taxonomic key is herein proposed for the Engraulidae species from the lower São Francisco River and estuary. The integrative analysis approach revealed to be effective to address taxonomic questions and help the management of stocks, ensuring the maintenance of local diversity of fishes in the Neotropical region.

Cleaner fishes remove ectoparasites, injured tissue, mucus and scales from the body surface of other fishes. This habit is important for the maintenance and health of reef fish species. This feeding behaviour is recorded for about 100 fish species of 19 families. Gobiidae stands out among cleaner fishes as it contains a large number of species that presents this specialised habit. This study records oophagy, a previously unknown feeding behaviour for the gobiid Elacatinus figaro, a specialised cleaner. This behaviour was recorded during snorkelling (2 m depth) in a tide pool of the Serrambi beach, localized to the south of Pernambuco state. Although several species of the genus Tropical Oceanography, Recife, v. 32, n. 2, p. 135-142, 2004.