June Ferraz Dias

Rare data on a rocky shore fish reproductive biology: sex ratio, length of first maturation and spawning period of Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) with notes on Stegastes variabilis spawning period (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) in São Paulo, Brazil

This study presents data on the reproduction of Abudefduf saxatilis, a rocky shore inhabitant at the northern coast of Sao Paulo State. A total of 73 individuals were collected using hooks and baits. They were measured, weighed and dissected, sex and maturation stage were analysed, first macroscopically, then part of the material was taken for microscopical confirmation. Visual censuses were also done for underwater observation of eggs presence. Results showed equivalence of males and females in the population, first maturation occurring between 101 and 115mm of total length, spawning period occurs from November to February for Abudefduf saxatilis and October to January for Stegastes variabilis. Reproductive period for A. saxatilis was positively related to air temperature and thermic amplitude, but the environmental clue most likely to influence this rhythm is photoperiod. Transects with visual census of males guarding eggs were also a reliable tool for finding reproductive period in these demersal, egg-guarder species.

Reproductive and population dynamics of the Bay whiff Citharichthys spilopterus Günther, 1862 (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae) in the Mamanguá Inlet, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Bay whiffs, Citharichthys spilopterus, were sampled in Mamangua Inlet between March 1990 and March 1992 for evaluation of its reproductive dynamic. Bay whiffs presented a crescent gradient of abundance from the deepest to the shallowest stations. The mean total length by oceanographic station showed a clear tendency of a relationship between bigger sizes and higher depths. Males predominated along the studied period and on the smallest length groups. Higher values of alometric condition factor, gonadosomatic relationship and spawning stage of maturity indicated a higher degree of development of the gonads on March and November. Histological analysis showed spawning females in March and May 1990 in the stations closer to the mouth of the Inlet, and spawned females with old post-ovulatory follicles and high frequency of atresia at shallow stations, suggesting a migration to shallow and protected areas after spawning. Length of first gonadal maturation was 117 mm TL. We could conclude that C. spilopterus completes its life cycle within the Mamangua Inlet, spawning during autumn (March to May) and possibly November.

Ichthyofauna in an estuary of the Mataripe area, Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

The community structure and dynamics as well as some biological parameters of selected species of the ichthyofauna of the Mataripe estuarine region affected by the Landulfo Alves Oil Refinery (RLAM) were analyzed. Twenty stations were sampled with a gillnet in five different periods: August and December 2003, March and July/August 2004 and January 2005. Thirty-five actinopterygian species and one elasmobranch species were recorded, Oligoplites saurus, Diapterus rhombeus, Lutjanus synagris and Scomberomorus brasiliensis among them, on all the campaigns. A total of 1368 specimens, weighing 36.10 kg, were caught. The ichthyofauna total biomass was greater, in weight, on the eastern side of the study region, especially at the stations close to the shoals/reefs and the rocky bottom. A similar pattern was also observed for the diversity values. In general, low evenness and diversity were observed in the area studied, possibly as a result of the fishing gear used. D. rhombeus juveniles dominated in all but one of the samplings (July 2004), in which latter Cyclichthys spinosus was dominant. Carangids and species associated with consolidated bottoms were observed, although in small numbers, throughout the study period. In spite of the limitations imposed by the gear used for sampling, the estuarine area influenced by the RLAM was seen to play a role as a growth area for the great majority of species, especially the mojarra (D. rhombeus), but it offers no fishing potential due to the prevalence of young and small individuals. Evidence of imminent spawning was recorded for Pomadasys corvinaeformis in August 2003, and recent spawning in March 2004 for Oligoplites saurus. Further, mature individuals occurred in insufficient numbers to permit population level evaluation.

Liver damages and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes of Atherinella brasiliensis (Actynopterigii, Atherinopsidade) from two beaches in Southeast of Brazil

There are few environmental studies using biomarkers for the species Atherinella brasiliensis in Brazil. In the present work, the presence of hepatic histopathological lesions and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes were investigated in A. brasiliensis from Lamberto, a beach under influence of domestic wastes and marine activities. For comparison, fish were also sampled in Puruba, a non-polluted beach, located in the northeastern of Sao Paulo State. The frequency of lesions found in liver was in higher numbers in individuals from Lamberto than Puruba beach. The most critical injuries observed in A. brasiliensis were the presence of necrotic areas, leucocytes infiltration and piknotic nucleus. A high occurrence of cells with vacuolization was also observed. The hepatic lesion index of the fish from Lamberto beach showed significant high values (Iorg=13) when compared with fish from Puruba beach (Iorg=7) suggesting the influence of the several human activities in the studied site. Notched and blebed nucleous were observed in this study, and significant differences were found between the studied sites. However, these differences did not reflect the total nuclear alterations.

Reproductive strategy and fecundity of the keystone species Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Teleostei, Sciaenidae): an image processing techniques application

The authors are grateful to the Institute of Oceanography/ University of Sao Paulo (IOUSP) for sampling support and to the Post-graduate Program in Oceanography/CAPES for a Doctorate Scholarship (grant number: 7546/13-0). The first author also would like to thank H. Haslob from the Johann Heinrich von Thunen Institute (Institute of Sea Fisheries) for his availability and help with the grids and ImageJ routine. This research was conducted with the approval of the Institute for Biodiversity Conservation of the Brazilian Ministry of Environment (permit number 18493-1) and the Ethics Committee on Animal Experiments of the Institute of Oceanography of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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

The purpose of the present study is to describe the juvenile fish use of the shallow zone of beaches of the Cananeia-Iguape coastal system, Sao 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.

Pattern of distribution and environmental influences on the Scienidae community of the Southeastern Brazilian coast

The Sciaenids have among the highest species richness, numerical abundance and biomass of any family of fishes along the Brazilian coast. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition and spatial and temporal distribution of as well as the influence of temperature, salinity and depth on the sciaenid assemblage of Santos Bay. A total of 29,306 individuals belonging to 13 genera and 21 species were captured, between November 2004 and December 2005, with Stellifer rastrifer representing 70.4% of the total composition. Highest abundance and biomass occurred on the east side of the bay, and the highest species richness occurred near the mouth of the Santos Channel, which was also the site with least similarity to the other sites. Highest abundances occurred in April 2005 and lowest in September 2005. Key environmental factors influencing distribution of sciaenids were depth and temperature.

Condition of the Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879) larvae in the São Sebastião inner and middle continental shelf (São Paulo, Brazil)

Institut fur Meereskunde an der Universitat Kiel (Dusternbrooker Weg, 20, Kiel, Germany D-24105) Brazilian sardine is the most important target of purse seine fisheries along Southeastern Brazilian Bight. Fluctuations in the catch during the past 50 years have been noticeable (Matsuura, 1998; Cergole

Mugil curema as a PAH bioavailability monitor for Atlantic west sub-tropical estuaries.

This work aimed to evaluate the use of Mugil curema as a biomonitor for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bioavailability. Fish biliary metabolites from low-contaminated (Cananéia) and contaminated (Santos) Brazilian estuaries were analysed using a high-performance liquid chromatography apparatus coupled to fluorescence detectors connected in a series. In the Cananéia and Santos estuaries, total metabolite levels ranged from 0.85 to 34.4μgg-1 of bile and from 4.06 to 528μgg-1 of bile, respectively. Metabolite levels were not influenced by feeding status or sexual hormones (p<0.05), thus suggesting that M. curema is a good biomonitor for PAH bioavailability. In estuarine regions, it is possible to sample both the male and female genders of this species in any reproductive period.

Inventory of Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii species collected in the central coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

This biodiversity inventory of the central coast of Sao Paulo State presents species of demersal and pelagic fishes of Santos Bay, Bertioga Channel, and adjacent continental shelf, between Sao Sebastiao and Peruibe, from the coast till a depth of 100 m. Samples were taken during oceanographic campaigns using otter trawls, between November 2004 and February 2006. A total of 56,095 individuals were collected, belonging to the classes Chondrichthyes (three orders and fourteen species) and Actinopterygii (fifteen orders and 141 species). This list adds 27 species to those explicitly cited for the coast of Sao Paulo state, contributing to the knowledge of this group.