Habitat use by the juvenile dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus and its relative abundance, in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Copyright © 2003 aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology.The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is a species whose stock management deserves special attention. It has an important role in hard-bottom ecosystems and, as a protogynous hermaphrodite; it is especially susceptible to overfishing. Data on the species’ use of habitat, and on the way environmental and behaviour parameters influence its abundance can help to improve management and conservation strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of bottom type, temperature and species behaviour on the abundance of E. marginatus, using a quadrate for visual census. An area of 80 mq., divided between rocky shore, rocky outcrop and sandy habitats was surveyed monthly. Densities of juveniles were: 1.16 groupers mˉ² over the rocky shore and 1.47 groupers mˉ² over the rocky outcrop, while no groupers were found over sand. Analysis of the yearly variation in abundance revealed a migratory pattern of dispersal and gathering. All size groups observed in this study were below the first maturation length.RÉSUMÉ: Le mérou Epinephelus marginatus est une espèce dont la gestion du stock réclame une attention spéciale. Son rôle est important dans les écosystèmes à fonds durs et en tant qu’hermaphrodite protogyne ; il est particulièrement sensible à la supêche. Des données sur l’utilisation de l’habitat par l’espèce et sur la façon dont les paramètres d’evironnement et de comportement déterminant sa fréquence peuvent aider à améliorer les stratégies de gestion et de préservation. L’objectif de cette étude consiste à évaluer l’impact di tye de substrat, de la température et du comportement de l’espèce sur l’abondance de E. margiantus, à l’aide d’un quadrat de recensement visuel. Une surface de 80m², composée de littoral rocheux, d’affleurements rocheux et d’habitats sableux, a été contrôlée mensuellement. Les densités de juvéniles étaient de: 1,16 mérous au mˉ² sur le littoral rocheux et de 1.47 au mˉ² sur les affleurements, alors qu’ils n’apparaissaient pas sur les fonds sableux. L’analyse de la variation annuelle en abondance a révélé un schéma migratoire de dispersion et de rassemblement. Tous les groupes observés dans cette étude avaient une taille inférieure à celle de la première maturation

Diversity and seasonal changes in the ichthyofauna of rocky tidal pools from Praia Vermelha and São Roque, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Copyright © 2011 Tecpar.Este trabalho realizou-se entre Abril de 1998 e Maio de 1999 e visou o estudo das comunidades de peixes em duas poças de maré situadas nas praias de Praia Vermelha (PV) e São Roque (SR), Santa Catarina, Brasil. A poça de PV é maior e mais próxima do sub-mareal. Os exemplares foram coletados mensalmente, durante a baixa-mar, com o anestésico quinaldina. Em PV recolheram-se 1287 peixes pertencentes a 19 espécies enquanto em SR foram capturados 553 peixes de 11 species. Em ambas as poças as espécies dominantes foram Bathygobius soporator (Gobiidae), Abudefduf saxatilis (Pomacentridae), Parablennius pilicornis (Blenniidae), Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Labrisomidae) e Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae). A diversidade e o número de peixes foram maiores nos meses de Verão e correspondem a uma época de recrutamento para as espécies A. saxatilis e E. marginatus.ABSTRACT: A survey of the tidal pool fish community was carried out between April 1998 and May 1999, at the beaches of Praia Vermelha (PV) and São Roque (SR), Santa Catarina, Brazil. The pool of PV was bigger and closer to the subtidal. Specimens were collected monthly at low tide, using quinaldine. In PV we collected 1287 fish belonging to 19 species and in SR 553 fish were caught corresponding to 11 species. In both pools, dominant species were Bathygobius soporator (Gobiidae), Abudefduf saxatilis (Pomacentridae), Parablennius pilicornis (Blenniidae), Gobiesox barbatulus (Gobiesocidae), Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Labrisomidae) and Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae). Summer months had higher abundance and diversity values, and correspond to a recruitment season for both A. saxatilis and E. marginatus

Newsletter of the Groupers and Wrasses Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature

After a long hiatus, we have finally assembled another newsletter for the Groupers & Wrasses IUCN Specialist group. This would not have possible without the leadership of Áthila Bertoncini, who formatted and compiled all of your contributions, Allen To and João Pedro Barreiros, we are most grateful for everybody’s efforts. […].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cleaning activity among Labridae in the Azores: the rainbow wrasse Coris julis and the Azorean blue wrasse Centrolabrus caeruleus

Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009.Cleaning interactions among the rainbow wrasse Coris julis and the azorean blue wrasse Centrolabrus caeruleus are presented with photographic registers, as well as the first record of the latter cleaning conspecifics from Azorean shallow rocky reefs

First record of Darwin’s Slimehead, Gephyroberyx darwinii (Johnson, 1866) (Beryciformes: Trachichthyidae), in association with Brazilian deep reefs

Copyright © 2004 aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology.Três espécies da família Trachichthyidae ocorrem no sul do Brasil: Paratrachichthys atlanticus, Hoplostethus occidentalis e Gephyroberyx darwinii. Esta última é uma espécie que atinge tamanhos da ordem dos 600 mm (CT), vive na província bentopelágica até profundidades de 1210 metros. É encontrada em águas subtropicais distribuindo-se entre os paralelos 43ºN e 35ºS, sendo utilizada como fonte de alimento no leste do Atlântico central. O presente trabalho reporta a ocorrência de Gephyroberyx darwinii na costa brasileira entre as localidades de Vila Velha (ES) e Rio Grande (RS), em áreas de plataforma externa e talude superior, com profundidades variando de 70 a 520 metros. Suas ocorrências nestas áreas estiveram relacionadas a lances de pesca (onde Lophius gastrophysus é espécie alvo) sobre formações de corais vivos. Dados biométricos e merísticos de três espécimes são apresentados no trabalho.ABSTRACT: Three species of the Trachichthyidae family occur in the south of Brazil: Paratrachichthys atlanticus, Hoplostethus occidentalis and Gephyroberyx darwinii. G. darwinii may attain a length of 600 mm (TL). This benthopelagic species occurs at depths down to 1210 m and is generally found in subtropical waters between 43ºN and 35ºS. It is commercially exploited in the east central Atlantic for food and for oil. In this paper we report the occurrence of G. darwinii off the south and south-east coasts of Brazil between Vila Velha (Espírito Santo State) and Rio Grande (Rio Grande do Sul State), in outer shelf and slope areas, at depths between 70 and 520 m. In Brazil the trachichthyids were usually caught while fishing for Lophius gastrophysus over deep coral bottoms. Meristic and biometric data are presented for the three collected specimens

Rocky reef fish community structure in two Azorean islands (Portugal) central North Atlantic

Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010.The community structure of shallow rocky reef fish fauna of the Azores Archipelago is described from underwater visual censuses carried out at eight areas (Terceira and Corvo Islands). A total of 52 fish species from 26 different families was observed, and the ten most abundant fish corresponded to 82.7% of all fish. Trophic categories are given for observed species with comments on distribution and densities along sampled depth strata. Mean densities along sampled strata were tested for significant differences. Sparidae, Labridae and Carangidae were the most speciose families being Diplodus sargus, Pagellus acarne, Coris julis, Thalassoma pavo and Tripterygion delaisi the most abundant species that consequently also accounted for the highest densities

Habitat use and abundance of goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in Brazil: a participative survey

Developing survey strategies for threatened species is often limited by access to sufficient individuals to acquire information needed to design appropriate conservation measures. The goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is a large reef fish, globally classified as critically endangered. In Brazil, fishing has been prohibited since 2002. Herein we investigated habitat use and abundance of E. itajara in Brazil drawn from a participative survey, which engaged volunteer divers in data-collection. A total of 188 reports were recorded between 2005 to 2011 throughout 13 Brazilian states. Our results revealed that habitat type influenced the relationship between total length and depth of occurrence of E. itajara. We observed a significant difference between habitats, artificial presented a nonlinear and natural an asymptotic relationship. This study underscores the importance of developing conservation measures addressing specific habitats and locations to enhance population recovery. Artificial structures (shipwrecks and manmade reefs) are critical habitats that must be considered as highly sensitive areas to E. itajara strategic conservation policies. We suggest the creation and implementation of marine protected areas, as key strategies for E. itajara conservation, especially for artificial habitats and aggregation sites124803810O desenvolvimento de estratégias de pesquisa para espécies ameaçadas é frequentemente limitado pelo acesso a indivíduos suficientes para adquirir informações necessárias para elaborar medidas de conservação adequadas. Dentre essas espécies, o mero (Epinephelus itajara) é um peixe recifal de grande tamanho, classificado globalmente como criticamente ameaçado. No Brasil, a pesca é proibida desde 2002. Investigou-se o uso de hábitat e abundância de E. itajara no Brasil através de uma pesquisa participativa, que engajou mergulhadores voluntários na coleta dos dados. Um total de 188 relatos foram registrados entre 2005 a 2011 em 13 estados brasileiros. Os resultados revelaram que o tipo de hábitat influenciou a relação entre o comprimento total e profundidade de ocorrência de E. itajara. Observou-se uma diferença significativa entre hábitats: hábitat artificial apresentou uma relação não linear e hábitat natural uma relação assintótica. Este estudo ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento de medidas de conservação abordando hábitats e locais específicos visando a recuperação populacional. Estruturas artificiais (naufrágios e recifes feitos pelo homem) são hábitats críticos que devem ser considerados como áreas relevantes para as estratégias políticas conservação de E. itajara. Sugere-se a criação e implementação de áreas marinhas protegidas como uma estratégia fundamental para a conservação de E. itajara, especialmente em hábitats artificiais e locais de agregaçãosem informaçã

Peixes de Costão Rochoso de Santa Catarina. I. Arvoredo

Este livro representa um passo importante no sentido de ampliar o conhecimento acerca da ictiofauna marinha do sul do Brasil e de sensibilizar pesquisadores, tomadores de decisão e o público em geral com relação à importância da conservação da Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo.ABSTRACT: The book is timely, as it provides meaningful support to regional management strategies, where the costal zone is in demonstrable irregular overgrowth. Although not specifically meant for management applications, the check list presented, as well as the photo-drawing guide is of great utility for many ecology/community studies. The book synthesizes a 10-year research effort, and is organized in several topics, which includes an introduction about the ABMR, a synopses on reef fish ecology biological adaptations of reef fish, systematic and rocky-shore habitat occupation. A check list and menaced species are also pointed out, as well as an explanation of how-to-use the guide, glossary and index. A total of 84 species are presented in colour underwater photos, common names are given in Portuguese, Spanish and English, with a detailed description of the most important distinctive features, pointed in schematic drawings of each species; behavior, feeding habits, reaction to divers and distribution are also reported. The book is a strong tool to accurately identifying the most common observed fish species when diving along South Brazil. This guide-book can surely be widely used in Brazil, especially to introduce young scientists and the general public in the rocky-shore fish ecology. Scuba divers will also benefit from this tool, which provides a practical way for further studying and identifying fishes