Juvenile fish use of the shallow zone of beaches of the Cananéia-Iguape coastal system, southeastern Brazil

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo é descrever o uso por peixes juvenis da zona rasa de praias arenosas do sistema costeiro Cananéia-Iguape, São Paulo, Brasil, analisando o período de ocorrência e o padrão de utilização das espécies mais abundantes na área. Utilizando uma rede de arrasto de praia (picaré) mensalmente ao longo de um ano, foram amostrados 13861 indivíduos, pertencentes a 57 espécies e 24 famílias. As espécies analisadas utilizaram a área estudada com diferentes finalidades: Atherinella brasiliensis foi amostrada em todas as fases do desenvolvimento gonadal e, portanto, considerada como residente, juvenis de Trachinotus goodei utilizaram as praias para o crescimento, enquanto os juvenis de Mugil curema e Mugil liza como rota de migração do oceano para o estuário. Nossos resultados mostraram a importância das praias arenosas para peixes juvenis, principalmente na primavera e no verão, quando a maioria dos juvenis recruta na área, e coincide com o período de maior impacto pelos turistas. Como muitas espécies analisadas são comercialmente importantes, ressalta-se ainda a importância de preservação desses habitats costeiros para um melhor manejo pesqueiro.Abstract The purpose of the present study is to describe the juvenile fish use of the shallow zone of beaches of the Cananéia-Iguape coastal system, São Paulo, Brazil, analyzing its occurrence period and the patterns of utilization for the most abundant species. Using a beach seine monthly for one year, we sampled 13861 individuals, of 57 species and 24 families. The fish species used the study area for different proposes: Atherinella brasiliensis was sampled in all phases of gonadal development and considered as resident, juveniles of Trachinotus goodei used the beaches for growth and juveniles of Mugil curema and Mugil liza used the beaches as a route from the ocean to the estuary. Our results showed the importance of the sandy beaches for juvenile fish, especially in spring and summer when most juveniles occur and recruit. Unfortunately, this is the period of the most intense tourist activity. As many of the species studied are commercially important, this study highlighted the necessity of coastal habitat preservation for better fishery management

New data on abundance of lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris (Poey, 1868) at Lama Bay, Rocas Atoll, Brazil

The abundance and movement patterns of lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) at Lama Bay, BiologicalReserve Rocas Atoll, were reassessed by visual census. We considered tides and daylight periods to plan ourobservations during two expeditions in 2015. Using daily visual counts, the mean abundance of individuals was29 in austral summer (maximum 35) and 31 in winter (maximum 41). The results indicated that the local lemonshark population might have recovered after 18 years of a substantial drop in mean abundance. In addition,the movement pattern of the species corroborated previous studies related to their fidelity to the birthplace.These results justify the need of continuous monitoring of lemon sharks over the course of time at Rocas Atollusing non-lethal and non-invasive techniques

Ingestion of macroplastics by common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The anthropogenic impact of pollution by plastic debris has threatened marine life inhabiting benthic and pelagic habitats from the poles to the equa tor (e.g., Ryan and Moloney, 1993; Derraik, 2002; Thompson et al., 2004). The ingestion of plastics by marine organisms is an increasing global trend due to the increase of these polymers in the oceans (e.g., Lusher et al., 2013; Besseling et al., 2015; Lusher et al., 2015; Lusher et al., 2018; Ostle et al., 2019; Neto et al., 2020). After reaching marine ecosystems, plas tics can be found either in their large original size (i.e., macroplastic) or in small fragments (i.e., nanoplastics, microplastics, or mesoplastics) (Azevedo-Santos et al., 2019). Thus, the interaction of plastic debris with marine life is expected, and their ingestion has been documented in a wide range of marine organisms, including zooplankton, bivalves, fish, turtles, birds, and marine mammals (Azzarello and Van-Vleet, 1987; Lusher et al., 2015; Romero et al., 2015; Egbeocha et al., 2018). There are several possible reasons for the consumption of plastic debris by marine fish, includ ing mistaking plastic for food because the odor of plastic in the sea is like that of food (Savoca et al., 2017), confusing it with prey species associated with floating plastic material while feeding on them, and preying on smaller organisms that have previously ingested plastics (Possato et al., 2011; Varghese et al., 2013Institute of Oceanography of the University of Sao Paulo (IOUSP) Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES):7,546/13-0info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ingestion of macroplastics by common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Atlantic Ocean

dolphinfis

Past and contemporaneous otolith fingerprints reveal potential anthropogenic interferences and allows refinement of the population structure of isopisthus parvipinnis in the south Brazil bight

In this study, otolith geochemical signatures (Element:Ca ratios) were used to investigate the long-term spatial shifts of the population structure of Isopisthus parvipinnis, Bigtooth corvina, an economically and ecologically important Brazilian fish species. Two-hundred and ninety-seven juvenile individuals from historical (1975) and contemporary (2018/2019) samples were collected in five subareas [São Paulo: North—NSP, Center—CSP and South—SSP; Paraná (PR) and Santa Catarina (SC)] of the shallow waters off the coast of the South Brazil Bight were analyzed. The main informative single elements were Co:Ca, Cu:Ca, Li:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Ni:Ca, Na:Ca, and Rb:Ca. Multivariate analysis showed spatial differences in otolith chemical composition over the years. Samples from 1975 presented an overall low reclassification rate (58%), suggesting the existence of two population units: (1) SP + PR; and (2) SC. However, samples from 2018/2019 discriminated four distinct population units with a good overall reclassification (80%): (1) NSP; (2) CSP; (3) SSP + PR;and (4) SC. This spatial differentiation on the geochemical signatures probably reflects the effects of long-term temporal variability in oceanographic conditions, anthropogenic influence, and climate change on this coastal ecosystem. The data also corroborate and refines the population structure scenario of I. parvipinnis recently described using complementary phenotypic tags.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ichthyofauna as an environmental quality indicator of the Bertioga Channel, São Paulo (Brazil)

The aim of this study was to investigate the ichthyofauna structure in the region of the north outfall of the Bertioga Channel (São Paulo, Brazil) and the possible effects of the environmental quality loss. The samples were collected in a monthly basis, from September to December 2005, at two oceanographic stations with an otter-trawl. The fish fauna structure was evaluated by ecological indicators and the environmental quality evaluated by the ABC analysis and the Estuarine Fish Communities Index (EFCI). A total of 1553 individuals from 50 species were sampled. Ariidae and Sciaenidae amounted to 60 % and Cathorops spixii represented 36 % of all specimens collected. The highest richness and ecological diversity were recorded in December, while the highest numerical abundance was found in October. The majority of the species were represented by juveniles. The cluster analysis and canonical correspondence analysis showed a consistent and clear difference between the sampling stations, and the abiotic factors analyzed (temperature, depth and salinity) do not seem to have influence on the community structure. The ABC analysis suggested a moderate disturbed environment and the EFCI allowed classifying the area as "poor", due to the 12 metrics analyzed, concerning the reduction of the species diversity, composition and abundance, and modifications in the nursery function and trophic integrity of the area. Future studies should focus on jointly analyze chemical indicators of water and sediment with the biological indicators, to confirm the ichthyofaunal condition of the north outfall of the Bertioga Channel.O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a estrutura da ictiofauna na região da desembocadura norte do Canal de Bertioga (São Paulo, Brasil) e os possíveis efeitos da perda da qualidade ambiental. As amostras foram coletadas mensalmente de setembro a dezembro de 2005, em duas estações oceanográficas, com rede de arrasto. A estrutura da fauna de peixes foi avaliada por indicadores ecológicos e a qualidade ambiental por curvas ABC e um índice de comunidades de peixes estuarinos (EFCI). Um total de 1553 indivíduos em 50 espécies foi amostrado. Ariidae e Sciaenidae totalizaram 60% e Cathorops spixii representou 36% de todos os espécimes coletados. Maior riqueza e diversidade ecológica foram registradas em dezembro, enquanto a maior abundância numérica foi encontrada em outubro. A maioria das espécies foi representada por juvenis. As análises de agrupamento e de correspondência canônica mostraram uma diferença consistente e clara entre as estações de amostragem, e os fatores abióticos analisados (temperatura, profundidade e salinidade) parecem não ter influência sobre a estrutura da comunidade. A curva ABC sugeriu um ambiente moderadamente perturbado e o EFCI permitiu classificar a área como "pobre", a partir das 12 métricas analisadas, que consideraram a redução da diversidade específica, a composição e a abundância, bem como a modificação na função de berçário/infantário e a integridade trófica da área. Futuros estudos devem se concentrar em analisar conjuntamente os indicadores químicos da água, do sedimento e os indicadores biológicos, para confirmar a condição da ictiofauna da desembocadura norte do Canal de Bertioga

Metal concentration in muscle of two species of flatfish from Santos Bay, Southeastern Brazilian coast

The aim of this study was to investigate metals in muscles of two species of flatfish, using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Specimens were caught monthly throughout the year 2005. Sampling was done at six points in the Santos Bay under different anthropogenic influences. Analysis of 56 samples of muscle showed detectable amounts of Al, As, Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe, Sr, Mn, Hg, Ni, Se and Zn. Except Cu, there were no correlations with the levels of sediment contamination by metals and those found in muscles. Moreover, there were significant differences between juveniles and adults concerning the concentration of Al, Mn and As. According to Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency, some elements detected in the samples of muscle were above of permitted by law for consumption: Hg and Pb (in samples from the internal area), As (from the west side) and Se and Cr (from east side of the bay)

Bioacumulation of trace elements in hepatic and renal tissues of the\ud white mullet Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 (Actinopterygii, Mugilidae) in two coastal systems in southeastern Brazil

to the United States The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and the concentration of trace elements in hepatic and renal tissues of white mullet (Mugil curema) by Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Fish specimens were collected in two coastal areas of São Paulo state-Brazil: the Santos estuary (from March 2009 to February 2010) and the Cananéia-Iguape coastal estuarine system (from May 2008 to April 2009). For the elemental analysis, n = 470 sample tissues (liver and kidney) were pooled according to location and type of organ. Trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Zn and Br were observed in both tissues of M. curema with concentrations ranging from 800 lg g_1 for Fe to 7 lg g_1 for Cu. The concentrations of Cu and Zn showed statistical significant differences among the tissues of M. curema (p < 0.05). Relatively higher concentrations of Cu and Zn were observed in the liver tissue. There was no significantly difference in the elemental concentrations between the two studied areas. The Cu levels in liver tissues of M. curema were found to be above the maximum limits for consumption, accordin