Population biology of spine shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (Holthuis) (Caridea, Hippolytidae) in a subtropical region, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The population biology of Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (Holthuis, 1948) was studied in Ubatuba Bay (23º26'S, 45º02'W), Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, from September/1995 to August/1996. Each sampling comprised eight transects (14 000 m² each), sampled monthly with three repetitions. The specimens were classified with respect to the presence or absence of eggs in the abdominal appendages. Spine-shrimps occurred only on six transects, being most abundant on transect II, with the highest incidence in late spring and throughout the summer months. Ovigerous and non-ovigerous shrimps were present year-round, in an approximately similar proportion (1:1). Site II in Ubatuba Bay is characterized by high salinity and oxygen values, temperature between 26 and 29ºC, low organic matter content in the sediment, and a bottom composed of very fine sand; these environment and biological features allow the establishment and maintenance of the population of E. oplophoroides.

Effect of environmental factors on the abundance of decapod crustaceans from soft bottoms off southeastern Brazil

“…This scenario may explain the occurrence of cold-water indicator species such as the shrimps A. longinaris and P. muelleri and the swimming crab P. spinicarpus, as mentioned by Boschi (1963Boschi ( , 1989, Pires-Vanin et al (1993) and Dumont and D'Incao (2008). In this study, these species were associated with the lowest recorded temperatures and were concentrated at depths greater than 10 m. On the other hand, species with a positive relationship with temperature tend to remain in shallower waters (less than 10 m deep) during the periods influenced by cold water masses, as observed by and Fransozo et al (2005) for the shrimp Rimapenaeus constrictus (Stimpson, 1874) and the caridean shrimp E. oplophoroides. …”

“…Fransozo et al (2005Fransozo et al ( , 2009, studying the distribution of the caridean shrimps E. oplophoroides and Nematopalaemon schmitti (Holthuis, 1950) in Ubatuba Bay, proposed that the presence of marine biogenic objects (shells, carapaces, etc.) and land-derived fragments (woods, sticks, leaves, etc.)…”

Spatial and temporal distribution of the shrimp Nematopalaemon schmitti (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) at a subtropical enclosed bay in South America

“…Most interestingly, Fransozo et al (2005) reported a similar distribution pattern for the spiny shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (Holthuis, 1948). More than 92% of the catch during one complete year of sampling was collected from the same locality in which N. schmitti was most abundant.…”

Ecological distribution of Nematopalaemon schmitti and Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (Crustacea: Caridea) near an upwelling area off southeastern Brazil

“…2); therefore, the species is possibly more tolerant to cold temperatures. In a study on E. oplophoroides in Ubatuba, Brazil, Fransozo et al (2005) reported that this species was influenced by temperature variations due to currents. The authors suggested that when SACW reaches the bay, it causes the confinement of this shrimp population in shallower areas (<20 m).…”

“…These properties (such as the organic debris) serve as a protective habitat for many caridean species, and strongly influence the establishment of caridean shrimp populations . Also, these environmental conditions enable the maintenance of caridean populations, particularly females with embryos (Bauer, 1985;Fransozo et al, 2005).…”