Diet composition of abundant fish species in the shallow waters of the Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Coastal habitats have great ecological importance with estuarine environments providing feeding sites for many fish species, especially during juvenile life stages. This study investigates the diet composition and trophic guild organization of the common and abundant ichthyofauna in shallow areas of the Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Bahia, Brazil, and their relationships with environmental parameters. Six fish sampling campaigns were carried out in the shallow zones (infralittoral) of the Paraguaçu River estuary which encompasses the inner and outer (marine exposure) reaches of theTSB. The stomach contents of 1231 individualsbelonging to common and abundant species were examined. A total of 32 food items were identifiedand fish were into four trophic guilds: detritivores, zoobenthivores I, zoobenthivores II, and zooplanktivores. The relationship between the guilds and environmental parameters showed that zoobenthivores II and zooplanktivores guilds had a positive relationship with salinity and pH, explaining 86% of data variability, though only the salinity variable was significant. This study provides basic information about the diet composition of common and abundant species in the TSBand their organization into trophic guilds. In addition, demonstrates that shallow waters fish across all guilds have broadly similar diets, comprising food items that are usually associated with bottom waters.

Demersal ichthyofauna of the inner continental shelf off Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil / Ictiofauna demersal da plataforma continental interna ao largo de Ilhéus, Bahia, Brasil

We present an inventory of demersal fishes from the inner continental shelf off Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. Three sites were sampled monthly, between March 2003 and February 2005, with standardized bottom trawls (30 minutes, 16 m depth, 22/16 mm mesh). A total of 7.857 specimens were captured, belonging to three species of Chondrichthyes and 95 species of Actinopterygii (77 genera and 40 families). The occurrence of Ampharius phrygiatus represents a southern range extension for this species, which was previously known only from the narrow coastal stretch between Guyana and Maranhão State (Brazil). The record of Synodus poeyi represents the first record of this species in Brazil and in the South Atlantic, as it was previously recorded only in the Caribbean. The general structure of the demersal fish assemblage is described and commented upon.

Apresentamos aqui um inventário de peixes demersais da plataforma continental interna em frente a Ilhéus, Bahia, Brasil. Três locais foram amostrados mensalmente, entre março de 2003 e fevereiro de 2005, com arrastos de fundo padronizados (30 minutos, 16 m de profundidade, malha de 22/16 mm). Foram capturados 7,793 indivíduos pertencentes a três espécies de Chondrichthyes e 95 espécies de Actinopterygii (77 gêneros e 40 famílias). A ocorrência de Ampharius phrygiatus representa uma extensão do limite sul conhecido para essa espécie, que era conhecida de um trecho costeiro relativamente restrito, entre a Guiana e o Maranhão (Brasil). O registro de Synodus poeyi representa o primeiro registro dessa espécie no Brasil e no Atlântico Sul, uma vez que ela havia sido previamente registrada apenas no Caribe. A estrutura geral da assembléia de peixes demersais é descrita e comentada.

Novos registros para a ictiofauna da praia de Itapema (Baía de Todos os Santos)-II / New recordes to ichthyofauna of Itapema beach

São apresentados dois novos registros de peixes para a Praia de Itapema (principalmente substrato lamoso, Baía de Todos os Santos, estado da Bahia, litoral nordeste do Brasil, cerca de 12º42'S-38º45'w): família Sciaenidae: Bairdiella ronchus (Cuvier, 1830) (4 exemplares) e família Pomacanthidae: Pomacantbus paru (Boch, 1787) (1 exemplar). Todos jovens de pequeno porte.