Mira Estuary Research Articles

Do eel grass beds and salt marsh borders act as preferential nurseries and spawning grounds for fish? An example of the Mira estuary in Portugal

The fish communities of the Mira estuary (Portugal) have been studied as a whole since 1986. It was possible to identify two different types of habitat that act as nursery areas and spawning grounds for a large number of fish species — the eel grass beds and the salt-marsh-bordered zone. The importance of these habitats is due, not only to the number of species present, but also to their abundance. However, as the eel grass beds only extend over a small surface in the Mira estuary, the salt marshes become of vital importance for the marine fish, especially those with economical value. As several major modifications are planned for the Mira estuarine bed and valley in the near future, suggestions are given in order to preserve the estuarine ecosystem equilibrium.

LARVAL AND POSTLARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUD CRAB PANOPEUS AFRICANUS A. MILNE EDWARDS (DECAPODA: XANTHIDAE) REARED IN THE LABORATORY

ABSTRACT The larvae of Panopeus africanus obtained from females collected in the Bay of Cadiz (Spain) and the Mira estuary (Portugal) were reared from hatching to metamorphosis. The larval series has 4 zoeal and 1 megalopal stages. This paper presents a description of the larval and first postlarval stages, and a comparison with described larvae of other species of Panopeus.

Rhythms of larval release of decapod crustaceans in the Mira Estuary, Portugal

Rhythms of larval release of the most abundant decapod crustaceans in the Mira Estuary, Portugal, were observed based on plankton samples made over consecutive ebbing tides during one lunar cycle in June 1986. Most species showed a semi-lunar rhythm of larval release, centered on crepuscular high tides around the quarter moons. The study suggests that the larval-releasing activity is connected to the hour of the high tide rather than to tidal amplitude.

The Tagus and Mira estuaries (Portugal) and their role as spawning and nursery areas

Journal of Fish BiologyVolume 33, Issue sA p. 249-250 The Tagus and Mira estuaries (Portugal) and their role as spawning and nursery areas M. J. Costa, M. J. Costa Department of Zoology, University of Lisbon, PortugalSearch for more papers by this author M. J. Costa, M. J. Costa Department of Zoology, University of Lisbon, PortugalSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1988 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1988.tb05585.xCitations: 13AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume33, IssuesADecember 1988Pages 249-250 RelatedInformation

Redescription of the leptomedusanBlackfordia virginica

Previous records ofBlackfordia virginica, from river estuaries and marineconnected lagoonal systems, show the species to be euryhaline and eurythermal. The collection of the medusa in the estuary of the River Mira provides not only a second record for the eastern North Atlantic but also further evidence of the medusa's requirement for such conditions. It is known to tolerate salinities of 3–35‰ (distribution). Measurements of salinity in the Mira Estuary in April and November 1984, when the medusae were collected, were 15 and 32.5‰ respectively (J. Paula, personal communication).