Dial behavioral responses of Metamysidopsis elongata atlantica (Crustacea, Mysida) to gradients of salinity and temperature

Andréa M Da S Gama,Danilo Calazans,Nelson F Fontoura

doi:10.1590/s0073-47212011000100014

Abstract

Metamysidopsis atlantica elongata (Bascescu, 1968) is a common mysid in the surf zone of sandy beaches from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where it is frequently recorded forming dense aggregations. Trough laboratory trials, behavioral responses to salinity (10, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40 e 45), temperature (10, 15, 20, 30±1ºC) and light (yes/no) were tested using adult males, adult females and juveniles. Although there was no response to temperature, the species showed clear response to salinity and light. In the presence of light, organisms remained in the bottom of the aquaria, but moved to surface when bottom salinities were increased. In the absence of light, adults moved to the surface. However, juveniles moved down to or remained on the bottom, maybe as a response to avoid adult predation.

Highlights

Metamysidopsis atlantica elongata (Bascescu, 1968) is a common mysid in the surf zone of sandy beaches from the state of
Metamysidopsis elongata atlantica (Bascescu, 1968) is a frequent and abundant mysid, observed in neritic zones of the Atlantic Ocean, frequently observed in dense patches (MAUCHLINE, 1980). This species was recorded in southeastern Brazil
E. atlantica were collected from the Cassino beach, in an area between the West

Summary

Introduction

Metamysidopsis atlantica elongata (Bascescu, 1968) is a common mysid in the surf zone of sandy beaches from the state of. T10 were performed under room light and from T11 to T15 under dark conditions, where the number with the asterisk represents the position where the organisms were released and the grey area the salinity at acclimatizing.

Results

Conclusion