A comparative study was made on the composition of the vagile fauna Inhabiting the alga Sargassum cymosum collected at 2 sites, d~f f e r~n g in wave action, on the northern coast of Sao Paulo State, Braz~l (23"30'S and 45"06'W). A total of 122.886 specimens were collected at 2 stdt~ons, belonging to 23 taxonomic groups. Gammaridea comprised the dominant group at both sites. 15 species were recorded, among these 14 common specles. Water rn0vemen.t -even at the exposed shore -and sediment quantlty of the sheltered site do not seem to affect gamrnaridean specles variety. Species dominance thl-oughout the yedr varied In exposed and sheltered localities. Hyale medla was dominant at the exposed shore, and Amphilochus neapolitanus was the most abundant species at the sheltered shore.

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The aim of this study was to establish the importance of the macrofauna as food for young fish species that inhabit the infralittoral adjacent to the lower marsh. The sampling site is located at Arrozal, Cananéia lagoon estuarine region (25º02'S and 47º56'W) and the collectings were realized monthly, during a year. The results suggest that the studied area could be considered as a nursery ground for young fish species. The local macrofauna is composed mainly by several groups of crustaceans and has a marked temporal variation. Mysids were dominant in Spring, copepods in Summer, mysids and bivalves were co-dominants in the Autumn and amphipods in Winter. Mysids, copepods, ostracods, tan aids and other epifaunal crustaceans were more consumed than other items. According to the trophic habits, the twelve fish species could be divided into three groups: the first and the third as mysids and copepods eaters respectively, and the second group with a balanced diet reflecting more than the other groups the seasonal variation of the macrofauna collected by the dredge. Benthonic and benthopelagic organisms were considered the major food source, being consumed by 75% of the analysed fish species, in Cananéia infralittoral.