The deep sea teleost fish fauna of the Brazilian North Coast

Data on the deep sea fishes found off the northern Brazilian coast are restricted to the results of the surveys of the RV Oregon, a research vessel of the North American National Marine Fisheries Service, and the REVIZEE Program. The REVIZEE Score-Norte Program focused on commercial fish species and natural resources with potential for exploitation on the continental shelf and slope off the northern coast of Brazil. In this sense, the REVIZEE Score-Norte Program generated little information on species of no commercial value, did not catalog its inventory in zoological collections, and did not publish species lists. Given this considerable knowledge gap on the deep-sea fish found off the North coast of Brazil, we compiled all the available data on the deep-sea fish of this region and also retrieved photographic records from the REVIZEE Score-Norte Program, including the PRODEMERSAL and PROTUNA projects. Considering the published records, specimens deposited in zoological collections, and the interpretation of photographic records, we compiled a list of 63 species of deep-sea fish from the North coast of Brazil. An additional 30 species were found in the published records from the PRODEMERSAL and PROTUNA, but were considered to be doubtful or pending confirmation.(AU)

Os dados sobre peixes de profundidade encontrados na costa Norte do Brasil são restritos aos resultados de coletas realizadas pelo RV Oregon, um navio do Serviço Nacional de Pesca Marítima da América do Norte, e do Programa REVIZEE. O Programa REVIZEE Score-Norte teve como foco as espécies de peixes com valor comercial e recursos naturais com potencial para exploração na plataforma continental da costa Norte do Brasil. Contudo, o REVIZEE Score-Norte gerou pouca informação sobre as espécies sem valor comercial, não catalogou o material da biodiversidade inventariada, assim como não gerou listas de espécies. Dada a lacuna no conhecimento sobre os peixes de profundidade da costa norte do Brasil, nós compilamos todos os dados disponíveis e recuperamos registros fotográficos do Programa REVIZEE Score-Norte, incluindo os projetos PRODEMERSAL e PROTUNA. Considerando os registros publicados, espécimes depositados em coleções zoológicas e os registros fotográficos, apresentamos uma lista de 63 espécies de peixes de profundidade na costa Norte do Brasil. Outras 30 espécies encontradas nos registros publicados do PRODEMERSAL e PROTUNA, foram consideradas duvidosas, carecendo de confirmação.(AU)

The deep sea teleost fish fauna of the Brazilian North Coast

Data on the deep sea fishes found off the northern Brazilian coast are restricted to the results of the surveys of the RV Oregon, a research vessel of the North American National Marine Fisheries Service, and the REVIZEE Program. The REVIZEE Score-Norte Program focused on commercial fish species and natural resources with potential for exploitation on the continental shelf and slope off the northern coast of Brazil. In this sense, the REVIZEE Score-Norte Program generated little information on species of no commercial value, did not catalog its inventory in zoological collections, and did not publish species lists. Given this considerable knowledge gap on the deep-sea fish found off the North coast of Brazil, we compiled all the available data on the deep-sea fish of this region and also retrieved photographic records from the REVIZEE Score-Norte Program, including the PRODEMERSAL and PROTUNA projects. Considering the published records, specimens deposited in zoological collections, and the interpretation of photographic records, we compiled a list of 63 species of deep-sea fish from the North coast of Brazil. An additional 30 species were found in the published records from the PRODEMERSAL and PROTUNA, but were considered to be doubtful or pending confirmation.(AU)

Os dados sobre peixes de profundidade encontrados na costa Norte do Brasil são restritos aos resultados de coletas realizadas pelo RV Oregon, um navio do Serviço Nacional de Pesca Marítima da América do Norte, e do Programa REVIZEE. O Programa REVIZEE Score-Norte teve como foco as espécies de peixes com valor comercial e recursos naturais com potencial para exploração na plataforma continental da costa Norte do Brasil. Contudo, o REVIZEE Score-Norte gerou pouca informação sobre as espécies sem valor comercial, não catalogou o material da biodiversidade inventariada, assim como não gerou listas de espécies. Dada a lacuna no conhecimento sobre os peixes de profundidade da costa norte do Brasil, nós compilamos todos os dados disponíveis e recuperamos registros fotográficos do Programa REVIZEE Score-Norte, incluindo os projetos PRODEMERSAL e PROTUNA. Considerando os registros publicados, espécimes depositados em coleções zoológicas e os registros fotográficos, apresentamos uma lista de 63 espécies de peixes de profundidade na costa Norte do Brasil. Outras 30 espécies encontradas nos registros publicados do PRODEMERSAL e PROTUNA, foram consideradas duvidosas, carecendo de confirmação.(AU)

Diversity and structure of the stomatopod (Crustacea) community on the Amazon continental shelf

The present study aimed to characterize the biodiversity of the Stomatopoda species found off the coast of the northern Brazilian states of Amapá and Pará, within the region's Exclusive Economic Zone. Two distinct sectors were surveyed, to the north and to the south of Cape Norte. The specimens were collected during fishery surveys carried out between 1996 and 1998 by the Revizee Program, using bottom shrimp trawl nets. The specimens were identified at the Crustaceans Laboratory of the Center for Research and Management of Fishery Resources of the Northern Coast and the Carcinology Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. The 189 identified specimens represented Lysiosquilla scabricauda (Lamarck, 1818) (n = 2), Parasquilla meridionalis Manning, 1916 (n = 1), Squilla empusa Say, 1818 (n = 6), and Squilla lijdingi Holthuis, 1959 (n = 180). Only three species were collected in each of the survey sectors, with L. scabricauda and S. lijdingi being captured in both sectors. Squilla lijdingi was dominant in both sectors, whereas the other species were considered to be rare. Squilla lijdingi was very frequent in the northern sector, although the other stomatopods were infrequent. In the southern sector, L. scabricauda was sporadic, S. empusa was frequent, and S. lijdingi was very frequent. A significant difference was observed in the number of specimens captured in both sectors. The Shannon index was 0.6144 bits.ind-1 for the northern sector and 0.2708 bits.ind-1 for the southern one, whereas equitability was 0.3876 in the North and 0.1708 in the South. The stomatopods were collected at depths between 32 and 109 m, and were captured primarily on gravelly bottoms in the northern sector, and on muddy substrates in the southern sector. Stomatopods were more abundant in the northern sector during the dry season from June to November, whereas they were more common in the South during rainy season, from December to May.

Diversity and structure of the stomatopod (Crustacea) community on the Amazon continental shelf

The present study aimed to characterize the biodiversity of the Stomatopoda species found off the coast of the northern Brazilian states of Amapá and Pará, within the region's Exclusive Economic Zone. Two distinct sectors were surveyed, to the north and to the south of Cape Norte. The specimens were collected during fishery surveys carried out between 1996 and 1998 by the Revizee Program, using bottom shrimp trawl nets. The specimens were identified at the Crustaceans Laboratory of the Center for Research and Management of Fishery Resources of the Northern Coast and the Carcinology Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. The 189 identified specimens represented Lysiosquilla scabricauda (Lamarck, 1818) (n = 2), Parasquilla meridionalis Manning, 1916 (n = 1), Squilla empusa Say, 1818 (n = 6), and Squilla lijdingi Holthuis, 1959 (n = 180). Only three species were collected in each of the survey sectors, with L. scabricauda and S. lijdingi being captured in both sectors. Squilla lijdingi was dominant in both sectors, whereas the other species were considered to be rare. Squilla lijdingi was very frequent in the northern sector, although the other stomatopods were infrequent. In the southern sector, L. scabricauda was sporadic, S. empusa was frequent, and S. lijdingi was very frequent. A significant difference was observed in the number of specimens captured in both sectors. The Shannon index was 0.6144 bits.ind-1 for the northern sector and 0.2708 bits.ind-1 for the southern one, whereas equitability was 0.3876 in the North and 0.1708 in the South. The stomatopods were collected at depths between 32 and 109 m, and were captured primarily on gravelly bottoms in the northern sector, and on muddy substrates in the southern sector. Stomatopods were more abundant in the northern sector during the dry season from June to November, whereas they were more common in the South during rainy season, from December to May.

Diversity and structure of the stomatopod (Crustacea) community on the Amazon continental shelf

The present study aimed to characterize the biodiversity of the Stomatopoda species found off the coast of the northern Brazilian states of Amapá and Pará, within the region's Exclusive Economic Zone. Two distinct sectors were surveyed, to the north and to the south of Cape Norte. The specimens were collected during fishery surveys carried out between 1996 and 1998 by the Revizee Program, using bottom shrimp trawl nets. The specimens were identified at the Crustaceans Laboratory of the Center for Research and Management of Fishery Resources of the Northern Coast and the Carcinology Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. The 189 identified specimens represented Lysiosquilla scabricauda (Lamarck, 1818) (n = 2), Parasquilla meridionalis Manning, 1916 (n = 1), Squilla empusa Say, 1818 (n = 6), and Squilla lijdingi Holthuis, 1959 (n = 180). Only three species were collected in each of the survey sectors, with L. scabricauda and S. lijdingi being captured in both sectors. Squilla lijdingi was dominant in both sectors, whereas the other species were considered to be rare. Squilla lijdingi was very frequent in the northern sector, although the other stomatopods were infrequent. In the southern sector, L. scabricauda was sporadic, S. empusa was frequent, and S. lijdingi was very frequent. A significant difference was observed in the number of specimens captured in both sectors. The Shannon index was 0.6144 bits.ind-1 for the northern sector and 0.2708 bits.ind-1 for the southern one, whereas equitability was 0.3876 in the North and 0.1708 in the South. The stomatopods were collected at depths between 32 and 109 m, and were captured primarily on gravelly bottoms in the northern sector, and on muddy substrates in the southern sector. Stomatopods were more abundant in the northern sector during the dry season from June to November, whereas they were more common in the South during rainy season, from December to May.(AU)

New or little known demosponges (Porifera) from Espírito Santo coast and seamounts (Brazil)

Phorbas capixaba sp. nov. is described from 54 m depth off Guarapari, diagnosed by its two clear-cut categories of isochelae from Phorbas spp. known from the Western Tropical Atlantic. Four nomina nova are proposed for homonyms in Phorbas spp.: P. bergmontae nom. nov. for P. areolatus Bergquist & Fromont, 1988, preoccupied by P. areolatus (Thiele, 1905); P. burtoni nom. nov. for P. arborescens sensu (Burton, 1956), preoccupied by P. arborescens (Ridley, 1884); P. hechteli nom. nov. for P. ramosus (Hechtel, 1983), preoccupied by P. ramosus (Lendenfeld, 1888; in part - composite species); P. tanitai nom. nov. for P. purpureus (Tanita, 1961), preoccupied by P. purpureus (Carter, 1886). Three little known species are redescribed: Aplysina alcicornis Pinheiro et al., 2007; Mycale (Aegogropila) escarlatei Hajdu et al., 1995 and Yucatania sphaeroidocladus (Hartman & Hubbard, 1999). All three are new records for Espírito Santo. The first and the last of these are range extensions, while the other fills a distribution gap. A list of sponges hitherto recorded from off Espírito Santo state, with indication of the bibliographic source of the record is given in appendix. In total, 118 species were compiled from 23 publications.

New or little known demosponges (Porifera) from Espírito Santo coast and seamounts (Brazil)

Phorbas capixaba sp. nov. is described from 54 m depth off Guarapari, diagnosed by its two clear-cut categories of isochelae from Phorbas spp. known from the Western Tropical Atlantic. Four nomina nova are proposed for homonyms in Phorbas spp.: P. bergmontae nom. nov. for P. areolatus Bergquist & Fromont, 1988, preoccupied by P. areolatus (Thiele, 1905); P. burtoni nom. nov. for P. arborescens sensu (Burton, 1956), preoccupied by P. arborescens (Ridley, 1884); P. hechteli nom. nov. for P. ramosus (Hechtel, 1983), preoccupied by P. ramosus (Lendenfeld, 1888; in part - composite species); P. tanitai nom. nov. for P. purpureus (Tanita, 1961), preoccupied by P. purpureus (Carter, 1886). Three little known species are redescribed: Aplysina alcicornis Pinheiro et al., 2007; Mycale (Aegogropila) escarlatei Hajdu et al., 1995 and Yucatania sphaeroidocladus (Hartman & Hubbard, 1999). All three are new records for Espírito Santo. The first and the last of these are range extensions, while the other fills a distribution gap. A list of sponges hitherto recorded from off Espírito Santo state, with indication of the bibliographic source of the record is given in appendix. In total, 118 species were compiled from 23 publications.

New or little known demosponges (Porifera) from Espírito Santo coast and seamounts (Brazil)

Phorbas capixaba sp. nov. is described from 54 m depth off Guarapari, diagnosed by its two clear-cut categories of isochelae from Phorbas spp. known from the Western Tropical Atlantic. Four nomina nova are proposed for homonyms in Phorbas spp.: P. bergmontae nom. nov. for P. areolatus Bergquist & Fromont, 1988, preoccupied by P. areolatus (Thiele, 1905); P. burtoni nom. nov. for P. arborescens sensu (Burton, 1956), preoccupied by P. arborescens (Ridley, 1884); P. hechteli nom. nov. for P. ramosus (Hechtel, 1983), preoccupied by P. ramosus (Lendenfeld, 1888; in part - composite species); P. tanitai nom. nov. for P. purpureus (Tanita, 1961), preoccupied by P. purpureus (Carter, 1886). Three little known species are redescribed: Aplysina alcicornis Pinheiro et al., 2007; Mycale (Aegogropila) escarlatei Hajdu et al., 1995 and Yucatania sphaeroidocladus (Hartman & Hubbard, 1999). All three are new records for Espírito Santo. The first and the last of these are range extensions, while the other fills a distribution gap. A list of sponges hitherto recorded from off Espírito Santo state, with indication of the bibliographic source of the record is given in appendix. In total, 118 species were compiled from 23 publications.

Observações hidrológicas e resultados de modelagem no espalhamento sazonal e espacial da pluma de água Amazônica

In this study, we present surface synoptic data collected during four oceanographic cruises undertaken in March-April 1995, October-November 1997, April-May 1999 and August-September 2001 in the Brazilian Program “REVIZEE/SCORE-NO” and a combination of model results (1/6 deg.). The emphasis of this paper is to point out the monthly changes on the spreading of the Amazon plume over the external Amazon shelf area and the eastern region of the Amazon River. Hydrographic data and model results demonstrated that during March-May, the Amazon plume moved southwestward along the northern coast of Brazil, decreasing during August-September; but this was not observed during October-November. Model results revealed ring signatures shedding from the North Brazil Current (NBC). Results also showed that during August the Amazon plume encircling the NBC retroflection was around 7º N.

Neste estudo são apresentadas as análises espaciais e temporais dos dados sinóticos coletados durante quatro campanhas oceanográficas do programa “REVIZEE/SCORE-N” realizadas em março-abril de 1995, outubro-novembro de 1997, abril-maio de 1999 e agosto-setembro de 2001. Em complemento às análises dos dados hidrológicos, foram utilizados resultados do modelo numérico CLIPPER - Experimento ATL6 (1/6 deg.). A ênfase deste artigo é avaliar o deslocamento sazonal e espacial da pluma de água Amazônica nas regiões localizadas à sudoeste, noroeste e em frente à foz do rio Amazonas. Dados hidrológicos e resultados do modelo demonstram que durante os meses de março-maio a pluma do rio Amazonas move-se para sudoeste, ao longo da costa norte brasileiro, tendendo a diminuir o deslocamento da pluma para sudoeste durante os meses de agosto-setembro. De outubro a novembro, não foi observado ou registrado o deslocamento da pluma para sudoeste. Resultados do modelo revelam anéis gerados pela retroflexão da Corrente Norte do Brasil (CNB) em torno de 7º N, e também a influência de água proveniente do rio Amazonas em volta desses anéis durante o mês de agosto.