Temporal variation in composition, abundance and biomass of the fish fauna after impact on subtropical transitional water

Transitional waters are characterized by large variations in salinity, temperature, turbidity, among other factors, such as tidal cycle, wind action and rainfall, that are constantly changing over time. The distribution of biota in these environments is regulated by these natural variations and also by human activities, such as pollution, overexploitation of resources, acceleration of urbanization, suppression of habitats and changes in hydrological dynamics. The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal dynamics of the fish fauna of the Saco dos Limões Cove, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, after the construction of a highway. Fish community was evaluated over five years by annual and monthly variation in species richness, abundance and biomass. A total of 17,993 individuals were collected, distributed in 33 families, 59 genera and 79 species. The evaluated years were similar to each other in species composition. Community descriptors varied over time but did not show seasonal trends. In all years, abundance was higher than biomass, indicating both the disturbance and the ecosystem function as a nursery in the studied area. This was corroborated by the large number of juveniles of dominant species (Genidens genidens, Eucinostomus gula and Eucinostomus argenteus).(AU)

Ichthyoplankton of arvoredo biological marine reserve, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Arvoredo Island, located in Santa Catarina state - south Brazil, and its surrounding area were defined as a Conservation Unit (CU) in the category of Biological Reserve since 1990. This research aimed to analyze the inter-annual and seasonal (winter and summer) variations of ichthyoplankton densities at Arvoredo Biology Marine Reserve (ABMR), and their relationship with environmental variables in 1997/1998 (Campaign 1), 2007/2008 (Campaign 2) and 2008/2009 (Campaign 3). Fish eggs and larvae were sampled using a WP-2 net with 200 µm mesh size. The study area was influenced by three water masses, (i) Coastal Water throughout the whole year, (ii) Subtropical Shelf Water during the winter, and (iii) South Atlantic Central Water mainly in summer. A total of 4,891 eggs were collected and classified as Engraulidae and Sardinella brasiliensis (Clupeidae). The total number of larvae was 467 belonging to 5 orders, 19 families, and 21 species. Taxonomic composition demonstrated a seasonal pattern among periods, with the highest densities of Engraulidae occurring in winter and the families Carangidae, Clupeidae and Gerreidae in summer. The high number of families and abundance of ichthyoplankton observed in ABMR may be important in supplying the adjacent coastal areas impacted by fishing.(AU)

A Ilha do Arvoredo, localizada em Santa Catarina, Brasil, e sua região de entorno foram definidas como Unidade de Conservação, na Categoria de Reserva Biológica Marinha, em 1990. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar as variações sazonais (inverno e verão) e interanuais das densidades do ictioplâncton na região da Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo (RBMA), e suas relações com as variáveis ambientais em 1997/1998 (Campanha 1), 2007/2008 (Campanha 2) e 2008/2009 (Campanha 3). Os ovos e larvas de peixes foram coletados com uma rede WP-2 de 200 µm. A área de estudo foi influenciada por três massas d'água, (i) Água Costeira durante o ano todo, (ii) Água de Plataforma Subtropical durante o inverno, e (iii) Água Central do Atlântico Sul principalmente no verão. Um total de 4.891 ovos foram amostrados e classificados como Engraulidae e Sardinella brasiliensis (Clupeidae). Um total de 467 larvas foram coletadas e identificadas em 5 ordens, com 19 famílias e 21 espécies. A composição taxonômica mostrou sazonalidade entre os períodos, com as maiores densidades de Engraulidae no inverno e de Carangidae, Clupeidae e Gerreidae no verão. O número elevado de famílias e a abundância do ictioplâncton observada na RBMA podem ser importantes para o enriquecimento das áreas costeiras adjacentes impactadas pela pesca.(AU)