Ecological distribution of Penaeus schmitti (Dendrobranchiata: Penaeidae) juveniles and adults on the southern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the ecological distribution and the effects of environmental factor oscillation on the life cycle of Penaeus schmitti along the coastal area of Cananéia, southern São Paulo state, Brazil. Shrimp and environmental factors were sampled monthly from July 2012 to May 2014 at seven sampling stations covering both estuarine and marine environments, using a shrimp fishing boat. A total of 273 juveniles and 829 adults were sampled, and there were significant differences in body size (carapace length -CL) throughout the seasons (ANOVA). Smaller animals were observed in the summers of 2013 and 2014 and at sites closer to the coast, which are under estuarine influence. Adults were observed mostly in autumn and in deeper regions. We detected a positive relationship between the abundance of juveniles and the bottom water temperature and between the abundance of adults and the water salinity (canonical correspondence analysis). The presence of smaller individuals in the estuarine environment demonstrates the importance of the estuaries in this species' ontogeny, mainly concerning their protection, since this environment has physical (depth) and physiological (salinity) barriers to their predators. Furthermore, we could clearly observe the plasticity of juveniles in relation to environmental factors. In contrast, adults were less tolerant to the variation in environmental factors, mainly water salinity, which was a limiting factor of their distribution. Seasonal differences in body size could be directly associated to this species' life cycle and characterized by trophic and reproductive migratory activities between the estuarine and oceanic regions. ARTICLE HISTORY

Population dynamics of the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti (Burkenroad, 1936) on the southern coast of Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil

“…Litopenaeus schmitti is distributed throughout the western Atlantic, from Cuba (23°30′N) to the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul (29°45′S) (Perez-Farfante & Kensley, 1997). The species is usually found in coastal areas from shallow depths up to 30 m, and its distribution has been related to environmental factors, mainly salinity, in the south-eastern Brazilian coast (Bochini et al , 2014; Barioto et al , 2017).…”

“…The development of fisheries has shown the need for studies on the state of exploitation of stocks, as the commercial extinction and genetic changes of L. schmitti populations in Cuba demonstrates the high vulnerability of this species to overfishing (Borrel et al , 2007). However, although studies have been performed on population dynamics and distribution of L. schmitti populations from the coast of Cuba (Borrell et al , 2004, 2007), Venezuela (Andrade & Pérez, 2004; Diaz et al , 2013, 2014) and south-eastern Brazil (Capparelli et al ., 2012; Bochini et al ., 2014; Barioto et al ., 2017), little information is available for this species in north-east Brazil (Santos et al , 2006). Moreover, lack of information on this resource and lack of legislation in the state of Pernambuco that regulates shrimp fishing both result in a potential risk to the sustainability of the species and the maintenance of the fishing activity.…”

Growth parameters, longevity, and mortality of the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus spp. (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in four important fishing regions of southeastern Brazil

“…Cananéia is a protected area because it is considered one of the most productive estuarine ecosystems in the world (Carneiro et al, 2019; Mendonça & Katsuragawa, 2001; UNESCO, 2005). The high level of conservation in this region is extremely important for shrimp species that depend on estuaries to complete their life cycles, for example, Litopenaeus schmitti (Burkenroad, 1936), which is also considered an important fishing resource (Barioto et al, 2017).…”

Population dynamics of the crabHepatus pudibundus(Herbst, 1785) (Decapoda, Aethridae) on the southern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil

“…Shrimp fishing on the coast of the state of São Paulo and in adjacent waters is among the most important activities in the fishing economy in the south-eastern coast of Brazil, and mainly is directed at the seabob shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862), white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti (Burkenroad, 1936) and pink shrimps, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (Latreille, 1817) and F. paulensis (Pérez-Farfante, 1967) (Gasalla & Tomás, 1998; Severino-Rodrigues et al ., 2002; Fransozo et al ., 2016; Barioto et al ., 2017). Although this effort targets specific species (or group of species), other species will always be captured (Slavin, 1983).…”