RCAAP Repository

Some observations on the circalittoral benthic fauna of the region south of Cabo Frio (RJ) are presented. This fauna is similar to that of Mediterranean and Oriental Atlantic region.

Fifteen species of scale-bearing Polychaetes, from bottom samples collected along the north-eastern coast of Brazil by the Laboratório de Ciências do Mar (formerly Instituto Oceanográfico) da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, are discussed. The area, explored in the course of two series of cruises carried out by this Laboratory, ranges from Sergipe to Ceará states. With two exceptions, all the species were caught during the first series of cruises, off the coast of Sergipe and Alagoas (approximately between 9.º and 11.º of latitude south). This series has its name "AKAROA" from the trawler boat used by the Laboratory. The two others come from samples taken by the fishing boat "CANOPUS", off the Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará coast. Although no new species occurred, some are interesting because of their relative rarity. Three good specimens of Pareulepis fimbriata (Treadwell), here considered synonymous with P. geayi (Fauvel), were present at two different stations. Harmothoë aculeata Andrews, from the coast of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, is believed to the vicarial species of Harmothoë areolata Grube, from Europe. Pontogenia chrysocoma (Baird) seems to be a rather common species in the area. It is the best represented species with 4 specimens, each one from a different station. The Polyodontidae are represented by two huge Polyodontes oculea (Treadwell) (anterior fragments caught by trawl) and another less robust Polyodontes assumed to be similar to Panthalis pustulata Treadwell. This last species, having branchiae and no true penicillate setae, should be considered as belonging to the genus Polyodontes. The other species are: Lepidasthenia virens (Blanchard), Lepidonotus caeruleus Kinberg, Psammolyce arenosa (delle Chiaje), P. fimbriata Hartman, P. flava Kinberg, Sthenolepis grubei (Treadwell), S. oculata (Hartman), Sigalion arenicola Verrill, Thalenessa lewisii (Berkeley), and a Harmothoë near extenuata Grube, with all the scale lost.

This paper presents the results of observations carried on during the period 1964-1967 on fish captured by a fixed fish-trap, located in the Lagoon of Cananéia, São Paulo, Brazil. The local catch consisted mainly on two species: "carapeba" (Diapterus rhombeus) and "taínha" (Mugil cephalus) . Nine out of the 32 species captured in 1967 were studied in detail. Specimens of sexually matured "taínha" were present in a well defined period, from April to August, so that one may assume the possibility of spawning at that time. This period agrees with the minimum water temperature and local commercial fishing trap operations. The size of first sexual maturation was observed in six different species, respectively for male and female, "carapeba", 13 and 12 cm; "taínha", 33 and 38 cm; "parati" (Mugil curema), 28 and 30 em; "paru" (Pomocanthus arcuatus) , 11 and 13 em; "robalo" (Centropomus paralellus) , 24 and 16 em; and 18 em for female of "sargo-de-dentes" (Archosargus aries). This kind of fishing was influenced by meteorological and hydrographic conditions, mainly by water temperature and salinity.

The growth of Phaeodactylum tricornutum, cultured at 7,000 lux and 25º C, in twelve-day experiments using enriched water collected at the surface and 50.0 m depth from coastal waters offshore of Ubatuba area, was carried out. Different water enrichements were made by the aseptic addition of several nutrients, at each depth, according to Smayda (1964). The nitrogen out measured in terms of Carbon-14 assimilation and cloropyll concentration, was found to be a primary limiting factor for marine phytoplankton production.

The histologic observations carried out in the ovary of the pink shrimp reveal, during the sexual cycle, which presents phases that may be identified also by the anatomical examination, three cell types beyond the follicle-cells. All the cells of the proliferation zone, in the various initial phases of the oogenesis, were named oogonia, because its distinction requires cytological studies. Observations about the peripheral bodies of the germinaI cells prosecute by means of electron microscope and histochemical tecniques.

Several stations were occupied off the coast of Santos, with the purpose of studying the diurnal vertical migration of plankton. The results showed that in the region, the patterns of migration of net plankton are quite diversified and they cannot be related to differ ent seasons or oceanographie parameters.

The occurrence of Tosia parva (Perrier, 1881), Marginaster pectinatus Perrier, 1884 and Ldbidiaster radiosus Liltken, 1871 in the South Atlantic region is registered for the first time. The new varieties, Phrixometra longispina brasiliensis var. n., and Holothuria (Vaneyothuria) lentiginosa brasiliensis var. n., are de scribed. The genus Calliophidiaster Tommasi, 1970 is redescribed and its differences with Linckia Nardo, 1934, are reinforced. Ophiomyxa vivipara Studer, 1886 and Ophiura fallax Cherbonnier, 1959 are de scribed for the first time from Brazil. Amphiura iraciae sp. n. and A. rosae sp. n. are described.

The distribution of Cladocora debilis Meth in the region between Cabo Frio (23º S) and Rio Grande do Sul (34º35' S) is discussed. Its bathymetric distribution in that region is of 46 to 338 meters. It is one of the most conspicuous species of the circalitoral of the subtropical region of Brazil.

This paper reports on part of the species of the marine isopod genus Serolis (Crustacea, Flabellifera, Serolidae) collected from benthic stations performed during one of the cruises of the Brazil ian Navy Oc/S "Almirante Saldanha" along southern South America. The species reported are Serolis polccris Richardson, 1911, Serolis elliptica Sheppard, 1933, Serolis uaperta Moreira, 1971, and Serolis foresti Bastida & Torti, 1970. A complete synonymy is given for each of these species, as well as the main distinctive characteristics enabling its ready recognition. Some remarks are provided on features not lengthned treated on previous accounts. The geographi cal distribution of all named taxa is given. Serolis uaperta is for the first time reported from off State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and Uruguay, extending considerably southernwards its southern limit of distribution. Both Serolis foresti and Serolis elliptica are also for the first time recorded from off Uruguay.

This paper is a contribution to the knowledgment of some aspects of the reproduction of Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879) from the area between 23º40'S and 24º20'S, Brazil. The individual spawning, fecundity, maturation and gonadal indexes, condition factor and spawning power, have been evaluated for the spawning periods of 1963-64 and 1964-65 and the results were statistically analysed. Fecundity/ total length, total weight, ovarian weight and body weight relations were determined for each period and the results statisticaly compared, showing significant differences between the periods under observation.

During the periods of April, July, 1970 and July, 1973, océanographic cruises were conducted in order to investigate the variability of the Brazil Current in the region between Cabo de Sao Tomé and Guanabara Bay. The geostrophic model of ocean circulation was applied using the hydrographie data collected during the cruise. From this study, a maximum velocity of 70 cm/sec and a volume trans port of 14 x 10(6) m³/sec were reported. The dynamic topography with reference to the 500 db surface, showed the presence of anticyclonic eddies during the periods of April, 1970, and July, 1973. The thermohaline structure within a meander of the Brazil Current is also presented utilizing the data coming from a continuous salinity and temperature recorder in conection with the data coming from a simultaneous BT section.

Um aspecto importante a ser apontado no presente trabalho ê o fato de se ter acompanhado de um modo ininterrupto, durante 10 dias, as anomalias nas distribuições das propriedades físicas da água do mar. Os resultados experimentais obtidos na região costeira a oeste de Cabo Frio durante esse pe ríodo mostraram a preponderância dos processos advectivos e difusivos que alteram a distribuição da temperatura e da salinidade na superfície do mar. Essa anomalia pode ser indicada por nuvens do tipo cúmulos formada por convecção penetrante, fato verificável pela comparação dos dados térmicos de superfície, com fotografias obtidas pelo satélite ERTS.

Foi desenvolvido um método para análise do ferro acumulado em células de fitoplâncton, usando ferrocianeto de potássio como agente complexante. Com esse objetivo montaram-se duas experiências: uma em que se mostra o acúmulo de ferro em relação à idade das células e uma segunda experiência onde a assimilação é plotada em função da concentração de EDTA no meio de cultura.

Uma nova espécie de Gnathiidea (Crustácea, Isopoda) batial, Bathygnathia magnifica sp. n., é descrita para a ciência. Foi coletada ao largo da região centro-sul do Brasil, a 387 m de profundidade. A presente espécie destaca-se das demais do gênero, que são cegas, pela presença de olhos depauperados, de coloração amarelada. Pela primeira vez, também, uma espécie de Bathygnathia é coletada a tal profundidade. Todas as demais descritas ocorrem em profundidades maiores do que 700 metros.

The development and growth of Janaira gracilis are described and discussed. The sampling was carried out once a month from January 1972 to January 1973 at the pier of Base Norte, Instituto Oceanográfico USP, Ubatuba, State of São Paulo. Four distinct marsupial stages were disclosed in the development of Janaira gracilis as well as 9 distinct postmarsupial stages for the females and 10 for the males. Every postmarsupial instar can be distinguished by morphological features, such as first antennae articles, first and seventh pereopod, first and second pair of pleopods and the oostegites. During the course of development females undergo less morphological changes than males. Considering the final stages, in average males are larger than females. It is suggested that the decrease in growth of females may be related to the crescent energy demand for reproduction. Males reach sexual maturity before females.

The Asteroidea collected during the cruises of the R/V "Prof. W. Besnard" along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) from April 1968 to January 1972 were studied. Twenty-four species are reported from the continental shelf for the area between Torres (29ºS) and Chui (34ºS). Labidiaster radiosus Lutken, Luidia clathrata (Say), Marginaster pectinatus Perrier, Mediaster trindadensis Bernasconi, Sclerasterias subangulosa (Verrill) and Tosia parva (Perrier) are new records for the area; Luidia barbadensis Perrier and L. elegans Perrier are new records for Brazil and Pectinidiscus aliciae sp. n. constitutes the first record of the genus from the Americas and is compared with the other two known species of the genus: P. annae and P. sibogae. Ecological data and the geographic distribution for each species are given. Keys for identification are provided. The general hydrology of the area and the biogeography are discussed and correlations of asteroid abundance with two commercially important fish species are made.

This paper analyses some aspects on the length/weight relation ship of Sardinella brasiliensis and its variations as a function of their reproductive cycle and displacements along the Brazilian coast between 23ºS and 28ºS. The area surveyed was divided into five sub-areas, each one covering one degree of latitude. The relationship and its variations between shoals were studied for each sub-area at different seasons and for the sub-areas at the same season. The absence of a variation pattern for the length/weight relationship has shown to be the result of seasonal changes in the physiological aspects of fish (as a function of their reproductive cycle) as well as result of behaviour of individuals in two main areas: 23ºS-25ºS and 26ºS-28ºS, which are spawning areas, spawning occuring during spring and summer at the first and only during spring at the latter. After spawning the young (from both areas) more at different times to a common trophic area where they find suitable conditions (25ºS26ºS), returning to their original sub-areas at different occasions, following their first sexual maturation. Although spawning takes place at different times and sites, with the convergence of young to a common nursery, mixing might occur. Further studies on meristics and body proportions are being developed regarding the existence of different populations.

The biological aspects of incubating females of Janaira gracilis Mbreira & Pires, are described. The marsupium is formed by 4 pairs of oostegites arising from pereopods I-IV. The oostegites appear for the first time at the post-marsupial stage 7 (preparatory stage 1), growing successively at each moult until stage 9 (brooding stage 1), when they reach fully development. The sizes of the eggs increase with the body size of the females. The number of eggs, per female, is a linear function of the body volume, i.e., the fecundity increases with the female's body size. The number of eggs, embryos and juveniles decrease during the marsupial development. This decrease in brood number is higher between the last two marsupial stages, i.e., from stage C to D, than between the preceding marsupial stages. The average and overall brood mortality rate is of 38.95%.

The life cycle and seasonal population changes of Janaira gracilis Moreira & Pires, is studied in detail. J. gracilis is the most common isopod of the phytal fauna of Sargasswn cymosum from Praia do Lamberto, Ubatuba, State of São Paulo (23º30'S and 45º07'W). The samples were collected once a month from January 1972 to January 1973. The data show a reproductive period continuous throughout the year with two peaks of major reproductive intensity. It is also discussed the populations characteristics and the sex ratio fluctuations.

Data on distribution and abundance of larvae of the Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis, are presented based on samples collected in waters off southern Brazil during 1969 to 1971. The distribution pattern and relative abundance of sardine larvae during three spawning seasons are discussed. Relative abundance, using regional census estimates, was calculated each year. In general, larval abundance in each subarea coincided with that of eggs, although the area of distribution of larvae was larger than the spawning area. Estimates of larval abundance showed that the 1970-71 spawning season was the poorest, both in larval and egg abundance, despite the enlarged size of the area surveyed. The average temperature at stations where sardine larvae occurred was 23.4º C, ranging from 14.6 to 27.4º C, and the average salinity was 35.6º /oo, ranging from 35.0 to 36.7º /oo. Distribution of the larvae in different depth zones was analysed. Larvae usually were most abundant in the 51-100 m depth zone. No tendency for a unidirectional transport of larvae was observed; apparently they move from the spawning ground in all possible directions, spreading over the continental shelf. An estimate of survival rate of larvae, based on length frequency data pooled from the three years, was calculated. Undersampling of larvae during daytime was observed. The mean night-day catch ratio, based on larvae from all length classes sampled, was 3.93.