Diversificação fisiológica e morfológica de Micropogon furnieri (Desmarest, 1822) ao sul de Cabo Frio, Brasil

This paper deals with some aspects of faunistic diversification and refers to part of the distribution area of a sciaenid fish Micropogon furnieri (Desmarest, 1822) Jordan & Evermann 1884, widely distributed. Such species is characteristic of the tropical area and occurs along the Brazilian coast with highest abundance south of Cabo Frio. The analysis of variations of six meristic characters and eight body proportions and of some reproduction and growth features has shown that along the coast between latitudes 23ºS and 33ºS diversifi cation occurs within the species; such diversification implies in the existence of two populations, one occupying the area between 23ºS and 29ºS (area I) and the other between 29ºS and 33ºS (area II). The eco logical differences between the two mentioned areas according to our point of view is the reason for the species diversification in the whole area under observation. The differences recorded as the characteristics studied were suf ficient enough to illustrate the existence of two populations reproductively isolated suggesting that some gene exchange, if any, between both populations occurs in a very low rate. Our results show that abundance estimates of M. furnieri in this area must be made for each population as a whole until further studies on genetic characters are developed which may confirm the existence of gene exchange and if so, the gene flow rate. As the present study does not cover the total area of occurrence of Micropogon furnieri no hypothesis is extended to the general pattern of diversification (eventual presence of sub-species) and no systematic "status" and names are given to the populations identified