Distribution and abundance of Pleuronectiformes larvae off Southeastern Brazil

The objective of this study was the description of the composition, abundance and density in horizontal and vertical distribution of Pleuronectiformes larvae on the southeastern Brazilian continental shelf. The samples were collected with bongo nets and a Multi Plankton Sampler (MPS), both in summer and winter 2002. A total of 352 flatfishes larvae were collected in summer and 343 in winter, representing three families and a total of 13 taxa: Paralichthyidae (Citharichthys cornutus, C. spilopterus, Citharichthys sp., Cyclopsetta chittendeni, Syacium spp., Etropus spp. and Paralichthys spp.), Bothidae (Bothus ocellatus and Monolene antillarum) and Cynoglossidae (Symphurus trewavasae, S. jenynsi, S. plagusia and S. ginsburgi). The most abundant taxa were Etropus spp., Syacium spp. and Bothus ocellatus. Etropus spp. occurred mainly as far out as the 200 m isobath and Syacium spp. from 100 m. B. ocellatus was present mainly in the oceanic zone between Ubatuba and Rio de Janeiro as from the 200 m isobath. The greatest average densities of these species occurred in the strata from 0 to 20 m depth in summer and between 20 and 40 m in winter.O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a composição, abundância, densidade, distribuição horizontal e vertical das larvas de Pleuronectiformes ao longo da plataforma continental Sudeste brasileira. As amostras foram coletadas na plataforma continental sudeste com redes bongô e Multi Plankton Sampler (MPS), no verão e inverno de 2002. Um total de 352 larvas de linguado foi coletado no verão e 343 no inverno, representadas por três famílias e totalizando 13 táxons: Paralichthyidae (Citharichthys cornutus, C. spilopterus, Citharichthys sp., Cyclopsetta chittendeni, Syacium spp., Etropus spp. e Paralichthys spp.), Bothidae (Bothus ocellatus e Monolene antillarum) e Cynoglossidae (Symphurus trewavasae, S. jenynsi, S. plagusia e S. ginsburgi). Os táxons mais abundantes foram Etropus spp., Syacium spp. e Bothus ocellatus. Etropus spp. ocorreram principalmente até a isóbata de 200 m e Syacium spp. a partir de 100 m. B. ocellatus esteve presente principalmente na zona oceânica entre Ubatuba e Rio de Janeiro a parir da isóbata de 200 m. As maiores densidades médias dessas espécies ocorreram nos estratos de 0 a 20 m de profundidade, no verão, e entre 20 a 40 m, no inverno

Spatial And Temporal Distribution Patterns Of Larval Sciaenids In The Estuarine System And Adjacent Continental Shelf Off Santos, Southeastern Brazil

Based on data collected during the project "The influence of the Santos-São Vicente estuarine system on the ecosystem of the adjacent continental shelf" (ECOSAN), from Nov/2004 to Mar/2006, the space-temporal distribution pattern of Sciaenidae larvae in relation to biotic and abiotic factors was investigated. Bongo net was used for sampling, aboard the R/V "Prof. W. Besnard" on the shelf, and the boats "Veliger II" and "Albacora" in the estuarine region. Twelve taxa were identified: Bairdiella ronchus, Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus, Cynoscion spp., Isopisthus parvipinnis, Macrodon atricauda, Micropogonias furnieri, Menticirrhus spp., Nebris microps, Ophioscion punctatissimus, Paralonchurus brasiliensis, Stellifer rastrifer and Stellifer spp. Sciaenidae larvae were widespread on the continental shelf in both campaigns (frequency of occurrence >;80%). They were most abundant in Mar/2006 (mean = 6.47 larvae.m-2; sd = 8.36) and least abundant in Sep/2005 (mean = 2.37 larvae.m-2; sd = 3.33). The average abundance in the estuarine region ranged from 0.12 larvae.m-2 (sd = 0.11) in Jun/2005 to 4.28 larvae.m-2 (sd = 1.99) in Nov/2004. Frequency of occurrence minimum occurred in Aug/2005 (50%) and the maximum in Nov/2004 (100%). The presence of Sciaenidae larvae in most locations and periods suggests that the reproductive process of this family in the region is continuous, spawning being more intense in the warmer months.Baseando-se em dados coletados durante o projeto "A Influência do Complexo Estuarino da Baixada Santista sobre o Ecossistema da Plataforma Continental Adjacente" (ECOSAN), nov/2004 - mar/2006, foram investigados os padrões de distribuição espaço-temporal das larvas de Sciaenidae relacionando-os com fatores bióticos e abióticos. A rede bongô foi utilizada como amostrador do ictioplâncton, a bordo de três embarcações: o N/Oc "Prof. W. Besnard" na plataforma, e os barcos "Veliger II" e "Albacora" na baía e canais. Doze táxons foram identificados: Bairdiella ronchus, Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus, Cynoscion spp., Isopisthus parvipinnis, Macrodon atricauda, Micropogonias furnieri, Menticirrhus spp., Nebris microps, Ophioscion punctatissimus, Paralonchurus brasiliensis, Stellifer rastrifer and Stellifer spp. Na plataforma continental as larvas de cienídeos tiveram ampla distribuição nas duas campanhas (frequência de ocorrência >; 80%), sendo mais abundantes em mar/2006 (6,47±8,36 larvas.m-2) e menos abundantes em set/2005 (2,37±3,33 larvas.m-2). No estuário, a abundância média das larvas de cienídeos variou entre 0,12±0,11 larvas.m-2 (jun/2005) e 4,28±1,99 larvas.m-2 (nov/2004); a frequência de ocorrência foi mínima em ago/2005 (50%) e máxima em nov/2004 (100%). A presença das larvas na maioria das estações de coleta do sistema estuarino de Santos e plataforma continental adjacente sugere uma atividade reprodutiva contínua, com desova mais intensa nos meses mais quentes

Spatial And Temporal Distribution Patterns Of Larval Sciaenids In The Estuarine System And Adjacent Continental Shelf Off Santos, Southeastern Brazil

Based on data collected during the project "The influence of the Santos-São Vicente estuarine system on the ecosystem of the adjacent continental shelf" (ECOSAN), from Nov/2004 to Mar/2006, the space-temporal distribution pattern of Sciaenidae larvae in relation to biotic and abiotic factors was investigated. Bongo net was used for sampling, aboard the R/V "Prof. W. Besnard" on the shelf, and the boats "Veliger II" and "Albacora" in the estuarine region. Twelve taxa were identified: Bairdiella ronchus, Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus, Cynoscion spp., Isopisthus parvipinnis, Macrodon atricauda, Micropogonias furnieri, Menticirrhus spp., Nebris microps, Ophioscion punctatissimus, Paralonchurus brasiliensis, Stellifer rastrifer and Stellifer spp. Sciaenidae larvae were widespread on the continental shelf in both campaigns (frequency of occurrence >80%). They were most abundant in Mar/2006 (mean = 6.47 larvae.m-2; sd = 8.36) and least abundant in Sep/2005 (mean = 2.37 larvae.m-2; sd = 3.33). The average abundance in the estuarine region ranged from 0.12 larvae.m-2 (sd = 0.11) in Jun/2005 to 4.28 larvae.m-2 (sd = 1.99) in Nov/2004. Frequency of occurrence minimum occurred in Aug/2005 (50%) and the maximum in Nov/2004 (100%). The presence of Sciaenidae larvae in most locations and periods suggests that the reproductive process of this family in the region is continuous, spawning being more intense in the warmer months