Composition and distribution of Serranidae (Actinopterygii:Perciformes) larvae in the Southeastern Brazilian Bight

Jana Menegassi del Favero,Mariana Rodrigues dos-Santos,Maria de Lourdes Zani-Teixeira,Mario Katsuragawa

doi:10.1590/s1679-87592019026406701

Jana Menegassi del Favero, Mariana Rodrigues dos-Santos

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-87592019026406701

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Abstract

This study describes the taxonomic composition and horizontal distribution of Serranidae larvae along the Southeastern Brazilian Bight (SBB, approximately 22°S and 28°S), and investigates how environmental and biological factors influence the larval distribution. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected in 10 oceanographic cruises conducted from 1975 to 1981. Serranidae larvae were identified into 15 species, including 11 genera and four subfamilies. Except for Diplectrum formosum, which was widely distributed throughout the SBB, Hyporthodus spp. and Baldwinella vivanus were distributed in the southern portion of the SBB, while other species were distributed mainly in the northern portion of the SBB, inside the 200 m isobath. Local depth, latitude, distance from the closest island and salinity were factors that influenced significantly on the distribution and abundance of the most abundant taxa D. formosum, Diplectrum spp., Serranus spp. and Mycteroperca spp. Significant progress was made in identifying grouper larvae from the SBB (Epinephelus morio, Epinephelus itajara and Hyporthodus nigritus).

Highlights

Serranids are economically and ecologically important (e.g. Heemstra et al, 2002; Craig et al, 2011)
In the Southeastern Brazilian Bight (SBB), there are about 38 species of serranids
Some species of serranids are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2019) as: (i) critically endangered (e.g. Epinephelus striatus), (ii) vulnerable (e.g. Epinephelus itajara, Hyporthodus niveatus, Mycteroperca microlepis) or (iii) at low risk/ near threatened (e.g. Hyporthodus nigritus, Paralabrax dewegeri)

Summary

Introduction

Serranids (e.g. groupers) are economically and ecologically important (e.g. Heemstra et al, 2002; Craig et al, 2011). They have high longevity (e.g. Epinephelus itajara lives approximately 37 years, according to Bullock et al (1992) and Bueno et al (2016)), relatively slow growth and late maturation (Heemstra and Randall, 1993; Bueno et al, 2016). They are synchronic or protogynous hermaphrodites (Sadovy and Shapiro, 1987; Heemstra and Randall, 1993; Bezerra and Silva, 2011). Some species of serranids are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2019) as: (i) critically endangered (e.g. Epinephelus striatus), (ii) vulnerable (e.g. Epinephelus itajara, Hyporthodus niveatus, Mycteroperca microlepis) or (iii) at low risk/ near threatened (e.g. Hyporthodus nigritus, Paralabrax dewegeri)

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