Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Table of Contents - 2005 - Volume 85, Issue 04  


Research Article

The contribution of microphytobenthos for scallop Euvola ziczac (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) feeding in a shallow area of the south-eastern Brazilian continental shelf

Franciane  Pellizzari a1c1, Carlos Alberto  Borzone a1, Paulo Ricardo  Pezzuto a2 and Leticia  Zehnder-Alves a1
a1 Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Beira Mar s/n°, Pontal do Sul, CEP 83255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil
a2 Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas, da Terra e do Mar, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Rua Uruguai, 458, Caixa Postal 360, CEP 88·302-202, Itajaí, SC, Brazil

Article author query
pellizzari f   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
borzone ca   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
pezzuto pr   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
zehnder-alves l   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

The general composition and abundance of microalgae in sediment, water column and stomach contents of scallops were studied at two Euvola ziczac beds on the south-eastern inner Brazilian continental shelf. These areas, which support an extensive demersal fishery, are hydrologically dominated by Tropical and Subantarctic Waters and exhibit a summer water intrusion of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW). The same genera of benthic diatoms, mainly <30 μmm, were found on sediment and scallop stomach samples. Despite the seasonal variation of hydrographic conditions, the composition and abundance of main benthic diatoms from sediment and stomachs did not change throughout the year. On the other hand, phytoplankton from the water samples collected above the seabed (mainly pelagic diatoms >30 μm and dinoflagellates) was composed of distinct taxa and presented a high seasonal variation in abundance. The prevalence of microphytobenthos in the scallop diet suggests the importance of this community to the sustainability of this valuable demersal fishery resource.

(Received April 12 2004)
(Accepted May 18 2005)


Correspondence:
c1 e-mail: francianep@yahoo.com