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Evidence of seasonal changes in community structure for a coastal ecosystem in the central coast of Brazil, south-west Atlantic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2008

H.T. Pinheiro ,
A.S. Martins ,
J.N. Araújo  and
A.S.S. Pinto
H.T. Pinheiro*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brasil
A.S. Martins
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brasil
J.N. Araújo
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brasil
A.S.S. Pinto
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brasil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: H.T. Pinheiro, Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brasil email: htpinheiro@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study reports on the seasonal variations of the community structure of a coastal ecosystem, off the central coast of Brazil. Samples were collected on a monthly basis on board a bottom otter trawl vessel from October 2003 to September 2004. A total of 57 species belonging to 26 families and 10 orders were collected. Resident species, which presented a high proportion of juveniles throughout the year, were the most abundant. Among these, benthonic fish of the Sciaenidae family were the dominant species, followed by Tetraodontiformes, nektonic Sciaenidae and Clupeiformes. Benthonic fish were more abundant during the spring/summer months (October to February) and pelagic species dominated the autumn/winter months (May to September). However, these differences were not statistically significant. The spring/summer months were also characterized by reproduction activity, while the autumn/winter months saw high proportions of juveniles. Indicator species analyses showed that 5 species presented significant differences in their occurrence and abundance throughout the seasons of the year. This study shows that the coastal area is an important place for reproduction and a nursing ground of many species. It also shows evidence of community-level reproductive patterns for a tropical ecosystem. Future studies are necessary to identify the likely ecosystem forcings underlying these patterns.

Keywords

community structurecoastal zonesouth-west Atlantic
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 89 , Issue 2 , March 2009 , pp. 217 - 224
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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