Ichthyoplankton of arvoredo biological marine reserve, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Thais Rutkowski,Marcelo Rodrigues-Ribeiro,Renan Todesco Brilha,Paulo Ricardo Schwingel

doi:10.1590/s1679-62252011000400017

Thais Rutkowski, Marcelo Rodrigues-Ribeiro + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-62252011000400017

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Journal: Neotropical Ichthyology	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
Citations: 4	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade do Vale do Itajaí

Abstract

Arvoredo Island, located in Santa Catarina state - south Brazil, and its surrounding area were defined as a Conservation Unit (CU) in the category of Biological Reserve since 1990. This research aimed to analyze the inter-annual and seasonal (winter and summer) variations of ichthyoplankton densities at Arvoredo Biology Marine Reserve (ABMR), and their relationship with environmental variables in 1997/1998 (Campaign 1), 2007/2008 (Campaign 2) and 2008/2009 (Campaign 3). Fish eggs and larvae were sampled using a WP-2 net with 200 µm mesh size. The study area was influenced by three water masses, (i) Coastal Water throughout the whole year, (ii) Subtropical Shelf Water during the winter, and (iii) South Atlantic Central Water mainly in summer. A total of 4,891 eggs were collected and classified as Engraulidae and Sardinella brasiliensis (Clupeidae). The total number of larvae was 467 belonging to 5 orders, 19 families, and 21 species. Taxonomic composition demonstrated a seasonal pattern among periods, with the highest densities of Engraulidae occurring in winter and the families Carangidae, Clupeidae and Gerreidae in summer. The high number of families and abundance of ichthyoplankton observed in ABMR may be important in supplying the adjacent coastal areas impacted by fishing.

Highlights

Conservation units (CU) are protected areas that have their own rules for use and management, with the purpose of preservation and protection of plant or animal species, the scenic beauty and conservation of cultural and physical resources (IBAMA/GTZ, 1999)
Et al (1994) demonstrate that studies are needed to understand the patterns of displacement and habitat for all stages of life cycle to implement more effective marine reserves. With this in mind this study proposed the description of the ichthyoplankton community in the Arvoredo Biology Marine Reserve (ABMR) and the influence of physical and chemical processes on the distribution and abundance of species which could serve as a basis for sizing the importance and efficiency of CU to adjacent areas
In Arvoredo Biology Marine Reserve (ABMR) a total of 4,166 fish eggs were collected during the winter and 725 during the summer

Summary

Introduction

Conservation units (CU) are protected areas that have their own rules for use and management, with the purpose of preservation and protection of plant or animal species, the scenic beauty and conservation of cultural and physical resources (IBAMA/GTZ, 1999). On the coast of Santa Catarina State, south Brazil, Arvoredo Island and its surrounding region were classified as Conservation Unit (CU) in the category Biological Reserve (IBAMA, 2006). Arvoredo Biology Marine Reserve (ABMR) is located 11 km north of the island of Santa Catarina, in the coordinates of 27°09’30’’S 48°18’30’’W and 27°17’57’’S 48°25’30’’W (Fig. 1). This region covers a large area in the Atlantic Ocean, with 17,800 hectares and comprises a small archipelago of Arvoredo, Galé, Deserta, and Calhau de São Pedro islands (IBAMA, 2006). Extensive marine reserves that are off limits for fishing activity, can contribute to management strategies, increasing productivity, reducing environmental impacts, increasing the stocks of sedentary organisms, size and age structure, fecundity, and potential spawning (Hilborn et al, 2004; Roberts et al 2005, Bohnsack, 1999)

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