Distribution and abundance of post-larvae and juvenile pink shrimpFarfantepenaeus paulensis(Pérez Farfante, 1967) in a subtropical estuary

Abstract

The spatial and temporal variability in the relative abundance of the post-larvae (PL) and juvenile (JU) stages of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis was investigated in the estuary of Lagoa dos Patos, southern Brazil. This analysis enabled the identification of differential distribution patterns. Pink shrimp abundance was studied to understand what factors influence the occupation of the estuary. Monthly samples were taken with a trawl net at 12 sites in the estuary from September 2010 to January 2013. Comparisons were made between protected and unprotected sites. Both PL and JU had a wide distribution in the estuary. The temperature was not a significant variable for explaining abundance variability. The abundance of PL increased with salinity and influenced PL entry to the estuary. The highest abundances of PL were found in unprotected areas and protected sites at the mouth of the estuary, while juveniles were unevenly distributed with higher abundance in protected areas. Recruitment period of PL in the estuary was October to March, and of juveniles was November to February. We suggest that the preservation of unprotected shallow waters and protected areas at the mouth of the estuary are key to further recruitment of the species in the estuary.

Bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed literature on the Patos Lagoon, southern Brazil

“…There was a clear dominance of studies performed in the estuarine region of the Patos Lagoon, which is supported by the predominant use of "estuaries'' and "Patos Lagoon estuary" Among the articles analyzed in our study, biota was relatively more investigated than other environmental compartments (sediment and water column), especially in the PLE. This fact may stem from the high ecological relevance of the PLE in sustaining the life cycle of important fishery resources (Odebrecht et al 2017) such as the pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus paulensis; Pérez Farfante 1967) (e.g., Soares et al 2004, Vianna & D'Incao 2006, Ballester et al 2007, Peixoto et al 2013, Noleto-Filho et al 2017, Ruas et al 2019, which was represented in the most cited articles (Ballester et al 2007) and also appeared among the most abundant keyword, the whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri; Desmarest 1823) (e.g., de Figueiredo & Vieira 2005, Mendoza-Carranza & Vieira 2008, Costa et al 2014, Franzen et al 2019) and the grey-mullet (Mugil platanus; Günther 1880) (e.g., Eiras et al 2007. Indeed, the most studied estuarine areas worldwide have been selected in accordance to their regional economic and ecological importance (Olisah & Adams 2021).…”