Population biology of the barbel drum Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus (Metzelaar, 1919) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) in Caraguatatuba Bay, Southeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Maíra Pombo Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo
  • Márcia Regina Denadai Instituto Costa Brasilis - Desenvolvimento Sócio-Ambiental
  • Flávia Borges Santos Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Eduardo Bessa Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso
  • Cristiane Moraes Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo
  • Alexander Turra Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592013000300001

Keywords:

Abundance, Total length, Temporal variation, Shallow coastal area

Abstract

This study evaluated the population biology of Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) in a shallow non-estuarine coastal area of southeastern Brazil. Monthly samples were taken from October 2003 through October 2004, in two distinct areas at depths from 1 to 4 m. C. gracilicirrhus was generally among the most abundant fish species during the period. Its density was significantly higher in a single sampling month, May 2004, in the South area, which may be explained by its migratory behavior together with its preference for deeper areas. Such behavior may lead to bias in community estimates that use few or only seasonal samples. C. gracilicirrhus individuals ranged from 4.0 to 10.2 cm long, with a main mode from 7.5 to 9.0 cm and a significant decrease in mean size from June onward. The estimation of body growth parameters was compromised by this population feature. Similarly, the prey spectrum was difficult to determine because of the deteriorated condition of the stomach contents, although crustaceans were clearly the most important items ingested. Amphipoda was the only subgroup that could be identified more precisely, mainly by the construction of their tubes.

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Published

2013-09-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Population biology of the barbel drum Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus (Metzelaar, 1919) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) in Caraguatatuba Bay, Southeastern Brazil . (2013). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 61(3), 169-175. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592013000300001