Distribution and abundance of two species of codlet (Teleostei, Bregmacerotidae) larvae from the south-eastern Brazilian Bight |
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Authors: | YASUNOBU MATSUURA ANA CLAUDIA DE SILVA GARCIA MARIO KATSURAGAWA KAZUKO SUZUKI |
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Institution: | Institute Oceanográfico da Universidade de Sāo Pauh, Butantā, Sāo Pauh, 05508, Brazil |
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Abstract: | Two species of codlet (Bregmacerotidae) larvae were collected during nine survey cruises conducted in the south-eastern Brazilian Bight between 23oS and 30oS in 1985-91. Of 4846 codlet larvae collected during nine cruises, 99.2% were identified as Bregmaceros canton and only 0.8% were B. athanticus. The two species were more abundant during winter in the neritic region (60–135 m depth). Vertical distribution of codlet larvae was studied using the BIOMOC net, and vertical profiles of temperature/salinity and chlorophyll a concentration were recorded by CTD and fluorescent sonde. Only 9.0% of larvae were collected in the upper 30 m and 91.0% were found deeper (> 40 m). The depths of highest density of larvae bore a close relationship to the subsurface chlorophyll maximum layer. Some B. canton larvae were found in the upper 30 m layer at night, but no larva was found during the day. Water temperatures where B. canton larvae occurred ranged from 16 to 23oC, but most larvae were found at 18–20oC and in salinities of 35.5–36.5 psu. |
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Keywords: | codlet larvae south-eastern Brazil vertical distribution |
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