We examined the spatial and temporal variations of coastal and oceanic epipelagic copepods (rainy–dry seasons of 2009) in a tropical area of the south-west Atlantic. Zooplankton samples were obtained at 48 stations along six transects perpendicular to the coast, in the subsurface water between the 25 and 3000 m isobaths, by horizontal hauls using a Multinet. Abundance (42–64,753 ind. m−3), biomass (0.08–113 mg C m−3) and daily copepod production (0.17–163.20 mg C m−3 d−1) showed longitudinal and latitudinal variability. The highest values were observed over the southern continental shelf during the dry season. Temoridae, Undinula vulgaris and Paracalanus quasimodo dominated the biomass and daily copepod production during the rainy season; while Calanoides carinatus, Calanopia americana, Clausocalanidae, Temoridae, Paracalanidae and Subeucalanidae dominated during the dry season. The copepod assemblages formed four different groups: rainy season–continental shelf (1), dry season–continental shelf (2), rainy season–continental slope (3) and dry season–continental slope (4). Temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and suspended particulate matter explained 45% of the productivity distribution of the dominant copepod species. This study is the first attempt to examine the biomass and daily copepod production in oceanic waters in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, and it showed that copepod biomass and production in a tropical region can be relatively high compared with other regions of the world's oceans.

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Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da temperatura e da taxa de alimentação sobre o crescimento e a produtividade de juvenis de robalo-peva (Centropomus parallelus). Utilizou-se experimento fatorial com duas temperaturas (25 e 28 o C) e duas taxas de alimentação (3 e 6% da biomassa ao dia), com três repetições para cada combinação de temperatura e taxa. Os peixes (9,80±0,41 g; 9,86±0,14 cm) foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia durante 60 dias. A cada 15 dias, foram realizadas amostragens para corrigir a quantidade de ração oferecida. Não houve mortalidade durante o experimento. Maior crescimento em peso e comprimento foi obtido nos animais submetidos à temperatura de 28ºC. Ganho de peso, biomassa final, conversão alimentar aparente e taxa de crescimento específico foram influenciados pela taxa de alimentação e pela temperatura. A oferta de 3% da biomassa ao dia a 28ºC proporciona melhores índices de crescimento e produtividade para juvenis de robalo-peva.Termos para indexação: Centropomus parallelus, aquicultura, bem-estar animal, desempenho produtivo, qualidade da água. Growth and yield of juvenile fat snook at different temperatures and feeding ratesAbstract -The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of temperature and feeding rates on growth and productivity of juvenile fat snook (Centropomus parallelus). A factorial experiment with two temperatures (25 and 28°C) and two feeding rates (3 and 6% of biomass per day) was used, with three replicates for each combination of temperature and rate. Fish (9.80±0.41 g; 9.86±0.14 cm) were fed twice a day during 60 days. Every 15 days, samples were taken to correct the amount of food offered. No mortality was observed during the experiment. A greater growth in weight and length was obtained in animals subjected to the temperature of 28°C. Weight gain, final biomass, apparent food conversion, and specific growth rate were influenced by feeding rate and temperature. The offer of 3% of biomass per day at 28°C provides better growth and productivity indices for juvenile fat snook.

Decapod larvae assemblages were studied in the tropical estuaries off southeastern Brazil (Piraquê-açú and Piraquê-mirim rivers estuaries). A total of 32 taxa of decapod larvae were recorded. Brachyuran larvae dominated in Piraquê-açú estuary, with 62% of the relative abundance, and 49% in Piraquê-mirim estuary. Mean larvae concentrations ranged from 17.2 m -3 at Piraquê-mirim (August 2003) to 221.1 m -3 at Piraquê-açú (April 2003). The assemblage of larvae in both estuaries was diverse, especially at Piraquê-mirim, which showed higher ecological stability. The high spatial heterogeneity of the Piraquê-açú and Piraquê-mirim estuarine system resulted in the division of the assemblage into two well-defined groups (truly estuarine and euryhaline). Salinity spatial gradient was a key factor in the structure and distribution of larvae.

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