Spatial And Temporal Distribution Patterns Of Larval Sciaenids In The Estuarine System And Adjacent Continental Shelf Off Santos, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Based on data collected during the project "The influence of the Santos-São Vicente estuarine system on the ecosystem of the adjacent continental shelf" (ECOSAN), from Nov/2004 to Mar/2006, the space-temporal distribution pattern of Sciaenidae larvae in relation to biotic and abiotic factors was investigated. Bongo net was used for sampling, aboard the R/V "Prof. W. Besnard" on the shelf, and the boats "Veliger II" and "Albacora" in the estuarine region. Twelve taxa were identified: Bairdiella ronchus, Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus, Cynoscion spp., Isopisthus parvipinnis, Macrodon atricauda, Micropogonias furnieri, Menticirrhus spp., Nebris microps, Ophioscion punctatissimus, Paralonchurus brasiliensis, Stellifer rastrifer and Stellifer spp. Sciaenidae larvae were widespread on the continental shelf in both campaigns (frequency of occurrence >80%). They were most abundant in Mar/2006 (mean = 6.47 larvae.m-2; sd = 8.36) and least abundant in Sep/2005 (mean = 2.37 larvae.m-2; sd = 3.33). The average abundance in the estuarine region ranged from 0.12 larvae.m-2 (sd = 0.11) in Jun/2005 to 4.28 larvae.m-2 (sd = 1.99) in Nov/2004. Frequency of occurrence minimum occurred in Aug/2005 (50%) and the maximum in Nov/2004 (100%). The presence of Sciaenidae larvae in most locations and periods suggests that the reproductive process of this family in the region is continuous, spawning being more intense in the warmer months.

Ichthyofauna as an environmental quality indicator of the Bertioga Channel, São Paulo (Brazil)

“…The ichthyofauna of Brazilian estuaries have been studied under various aspects, such as its composition and abundance (FELIX et al, 2006, DIAS et al, 2011, diversity (CASTRO, 2001;CARVALHO NETO;CASTRO, 2008;BARLETTA et al, 2003), assemblages (CONTENTE et al, 2010;ARAÚJO et al, 2013;HOSTIM-SILVA et al, 2013;PASSOS et al, 2013), resource exploitation (BARLETTA; COSTA, 2009), structure and seasonal dynamics of ichthyoplankton (BARLETTA-BERGAN et al, 2002;PORCARO et al, 2014), influence of environmental variables on fish distribution (BARLETTA et al, 2005;BARLETTA et al, 2008), recruitment (BOLZAN et al, 2014), biological and socioeconomic aspects of fisheries exploitation (CHAVES et al, 2003), and also as indicator of environmental quality (VIANA; LUCENA FRÉDOU, 2014). The main hydrographic characteristics of estuaries that influence the fish distribution are salinity, temperature, turbidity and dissolved oxygen BLABER, 1980;BARLETTA et al, 2008).…”

“…To the same area, ROCHA and DIAS (2015), using only otter-trawling samples, added fifteen species to the inventory of BARBANTI et al, (2013). On the other hand, PORCARO et al (2014) described the distribution of the sciaenid larvae in the estuarine system and adjacent continental shelf off Santos, highlighting the region as a Sciaenidae spawning area.…”

<i>Engraulis anchoita</i> (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) eggs and larvae in the Southeastern Brazilian Bight: new perspectives from a historical data set (1974 - 2010)

“…The area off São Sebastião Island marks the boundary between two main sedimentary zones in the SBB: southward from the island, the deposition processes are associated with the seasonal penetration of waters related to the Plata River runoff and its interaction with the meanders of the BC, and the shelf morphology that favors the establishment of high productivity zones; northward the island, on the inner shelf, organic matter distribution is related mainly to the Cape Frio coastal upwelling, while the middle and outer shelf sediment distributions are a result of a more vigorous meandering of the BC (MAHIQUES et al, 2004). Beyond the oceanographic differences off northern and southern São Sebastião Island (MIRANDA; , larval fish assemblages also differ when analyzing these two subareas (KATSURAGAWA et al, 2014). It is also important to note that the mineralogy of the surface sediments between Cape Frio (23°S) and the mouth of the Plata River (38°S) is controlled by two oceanographic conditions: the Brazil Current (BC), supplying the shelf with clay minerals from equatorial regions, and the Brazil Coastal Current (BCC), transporting sediments from the Plata River (NAGAI et al, 2014).…”

“…However, most of these studies examined environmental influences on the ichthyoplankton over short/medium temporal scales, especially seasonal ones (e.g. GARBINI et al 2014;KATSURAGAWA et al, 2014;PORCARO et al, 2014).…”

“…Most of these studies examined the environmental influences on the ichthyoplankton over short to medium temporal scales, especially seasonal (e.g. NONAKA et al, 2000;MUELBERT et al, 2008;GOÇALO et al, 2011;GARBINI et al 2014;KATSURAGAWA et al, 2014;PORCARO et al, 2014). However, a variety of oceanographic and climatic factors influence distribution and abundance of fish eggs and larvae, not just on seasonal temporal scales, but also on interannual (e.g.…”