The present work investigates the composition larval fish assemblages in the area under the (BC). Ichthyoplankton was sampled during two oceano. Graphic cruises (November–December/1997 – spring; May/2001 – autumn) with. Seasonal variation and a coastal-ocean pattern in the distribution fish was observed and was\ud
Influenced by the dynamics of the water masses, Coastal Water (CW),Tropical Water(TW)and South Atlantic (SACW), the last two of which were transported by the BC., the shelf assemblage influenced by the dynamics of the water masses, Coastal Water(CW), (TW) and SouthAtlantic Central Water (SACW), the last .During spring, the shelf assemblage was dominated by larvae of small pelagic fishes, such as Sardinella brasiliensis, Engraulis anchoita and Trachurus lathami, and was associated with the enrichment of shallow water by the SACW upwelling. Inautumn, the abundance of coastal species larvae was reduced, and the shelf assemblage was dominated by Bregmaceros cantori. A transitional assemblage occurred ,and comprised mesopelagic and coastal species. In both seasons, the oceanic assemblage was dominated by the mesopelagic families, Myctophidae Sternopthychidae and Phosichthyidae.The between the northern, particularly in the shelf zone. This was especially the case during autumn when alatitudinal gradientin larval fish assemblages became more pronounced
