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Tryblionella is a large epipelic genus, widespread from fresh to marine waters. Most of the studies including the genus are based only in light microscopy. Few recent studies are exclusively dedicated to Tryblionella and the ultrastructure of some species is still little known. In this paper we present eleven species of Tryblionella found in epiphyton and microphytobenthos in Patos Lagoon salt marshes. All the species are described, illustrated in light and scanning electron microscopy and comments about their taxonomy, distribution and ecology are provided. Two taxa are reported for the first time in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and one in Southern Brazil. The number of species registered in this study comprises nearly a half of the number of species registered in the country. The high richness observed may be related to the dynamics of the salt marshes, which provides both the mixing of fresh and marine waters communities and the diversity of microhabitats. The great variability among the species analyzed allowed to extend the general concept of Tryblionella, adding features which were not considered in the previous characterizations of the genus. Resumo: Tryblionella é um gênero de diatomáceas epipélicas, distribuído de águas doces a marinhas. A maioria dos estudos que incluem o gênero baseia-se apenas em microscopia óptica. Poucos estudos recentes são exclusivamente dedicados à Tryblionella e a ultraestrutura de algumas espécies ainda é pouco conhecida. No presente artigo, apresentamos onze espécies de Tryblionella encontradas no epifíton e no microfitobentos nas marismas da Lagoa dos Patos. Todas as espécies foram descritas, ilustradas em microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura e comentários sobre a taxonomia, distribuição e ecologia foram fornecidos. Dois táxons foram registrados pela primeira vez para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul e um para a região Sul do Brasil. O número de espécies registradas neste estudo compreende cerca de metade das espécies registradas para o país. A grande riqueza observada pode estar relacionada à dinâmica das marismas, que proporciona tanto a mistura de comunidades de águas doces e marinhas quanto diversidade de microhabitats. A grande variabilidade entre as espécies analisadas permitiu que o conceito geral de Tryblionella fosse ampliado, incluindo características que não haviam sido consideradas nas caracterizações anteriores do gênero.

We evaluated the incidental catch of the blue crab in artisanal fisheries through the analysis of sex ratio, catch per unit effort, net positioning, and size in which the capture probability was 50% (P50). The specimens were collected from 2011 to 2013 in the estuary of Patos Lagoon, southern Brazil. The analysis showed a higher occurrence of males. Variations in the catch per unit effort showed greatest abundance values close to the mouth of the estuary. Catch per unit effort was similar when comparing fishing seasons and net positions. P50 indicated a low selectivity of the nets since it varied between studied areas but stayed below the size at first maturity. Catches indicated a greater effort on males, since females migrated to spawn in the ocean area adjacent to the estuary during the fishing period studied. The spatial variation of the catch per unit effort showed heterogeneity in fishing catches. Thus, optimal management of the resource should consider the particularities of each area.

RESUMO O levantamento florístico de espécies arbóreas foi realizado em uma mata de restinga no município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. O local de estudo é conhecido como Mata da Praia do Totó e compreende um remanescente formado por ambientes de matas de restinga arenosa e turfosa. Foi amostrado um total de 65 espécies nativas compreendendo 51 gêneros distribuídos em 34 famílias.A família que apresentou o maior número de espécies foi Myrtaceae com dez espécies, seguida de Salicaceae e Rubiaceae. Os gêneros mais representativos foram Myrsine e Eugenia, respectivamente com quatro e três espécies. A análise de similaridade amostrou que a mata arenosa é floristicamente relacionada com florestas ciliares e de encosta e a mata turfosa com outras florestas localizadas em áreas de saturação hídrica permanente do solo. A riqueza de espécies do local é elevada para matas de restinga no Rio Grande do Sul, provavelmente pela influência de florestas situadas na Serra dos Tapes e pela diversidade de ambientes que compõem a área de estudo. ABSTRACT The floristic survey of tree species was performed in a 'Restinga' forest, municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do sul State, Brazil. The area studied is known as 'Mata da Praia do Totó' ('Totó' beach forest), and comprises a remnant formed by a sandy and turf 'Restinga' forest. A total 65 native species were sampled comprising 51 genera distributed in 34 families. The family with the greatest number of species was Myrtaceae, with ten species, followed by Salicaceae and Rubiaceae. The most representative genera were Myrsine and Eugenia, respectivelly sampled with four and three species. The analysis of similarity sampled that the sandy forest is floristically related to riparian and hillside forests and the forest peat is related to other forests located in areas of permanent water saturation of soil. Species richness of the site is high for 'Restinga' forests in Rio Grande do Sul state, probably due to the influence of forests located in Serra dos Tapes and by diversity of the environments that make up the study area.

Although ariid catfishe species are known to use coastal systems during some stages of their life cycles, the energetic contribution of estuarine resources and habitat use by many species in this family are still unclear. We used stable isotope analyses to estimate the assimilation of primary carbon sources and to infer the use of estuarine and freshwater habitats by two ariid catfishes Genidens barbus (Lacepède, 1803) and Genidens genidens (Cuvier, 1829). An isotopic mixing model revealed that juveniles of both catfish species consume considerable amounts of estuarine-produced carbon sources (G. barbus: 54-87% and G. genidens: 36-84%). However, G. genidens adults rely more on freshwater-derived carbon sources (31-77%) than on estuarine sources (23-69%). These results support the hypothesis that both species occupy the estuary and assimilate organic carbon produced in this region during their early stages, but G. genidens adults consume carbon sources associated with the freshwater portion of the lagoon.

In Rio Grande do Sul State, there are four marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farms in the municipal districts of São José do Norte and Rio Grande, and other four with previous license for operation. Thus, the present study aimed to identify and characterize areas for marine shrimp farming located in the Southern portion of the Patos Lagoon estuary (32º00'S 52º00'W) by employing the analysis of satellite remote sensing (Landsat TM and ETM+/Google Earth), airborne remote sensing (35mm system ADAR 1000), terrestrial remote sensing (RICOH 500SE), and field expeditions, integrating data in a Geographical Information System (IDRISI Andes). As a result, the enterprises were built on coastal fields or in obliterated dune areas, which are favorable for cultivation. The proximity of possible consuming markets and local labor, relatively good access roads and local technical support also favor the projects. However, there must be caution in terms of changes in the original projects, which could cause environmental impacts and noncompliance of environmental norms, such as the occupation of salt marsh areas. Based on the obtained information, instruments can be created to help inherent legal decision-making to manage the activity for futures enterprises.No estado do Rio Grande do Sul existem quatro fazendas produtoras de camarões (Litopenaeus vannamei) marinhos nos municípios de São José do Norte e Rio Grande, e outras quatro fazendas já possuem licença prévia. Assim, o presente estudo propôs identificar e caracterizar as áreas destinadas a cultivos de camarões marinhos localizadas na porção sul do estuário da lagoa dos Patos (32º00'S 52º00'W), empregando análises de sensoriamento remoto orbital (ETM+/Landsat, Google Earth), aéreo (35mm/sistema ADAR 1000), terrestre (RICOH 500SE) e de saídas de campo, integrando os dados num Sistema de Informação Geográfica (IDRISI Andes). Resultados apontaram que os empreendimentos foram construídos sobre campos litorâneos ou em regiões de dunas obliteradas, regiões estas propícias para o cultivo. A proximidade dos possíveis mercados consumidores e mão de obra local, estradas de acesso relativamente boas e suporte técnico local também favorecem os projetos. No entanto, deve haver cautela em termos de mudanças nos projetos originais, o que poderia causar impactos ambientais e descumprimento das normas ambientais, tais como a ocupação de áreas de marismas. A partir das informações obtidas, podem ser criados instrumentos que auxiliarão na tomada de decisões legais para gerenciar a atividade em futuros empreendimentos.

Background: Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are recurrent in Patos Lagoon, in southern Brazil. Among cyanotoxins, [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR is the predominant variant whose natural cycle involves water and sediment compartments. This study aimed to identify and isolate from sediment a bacterial strain capable of growing on [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR. Sediment and water samples were collected at two distinct aquatic spots: close to the Oceanographic Museum (P1), in Rio Grande City, and on São Lourenço Beach (P2), in São Lourenço do Sul City, southern Brazil. Methods: [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR was isolated and purified from batch cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa strain RST9501. Samples of water and sediment from Rio Grande and São Lourenço do Sul were collected. Bacteria from the samples were allowed to grow in flasks containing solely [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR. This strain named DMSX was isolated on agar MSM with 8 g L−1 glucose and further purified on a cyanotoxin basis growth. Microcystin concentration was obtained by using the ELISA immunoassay for microcystins whereas bacterial count was performed by epifluorescence microscopy. The genus Pseudomonas was identified by DNA techniques. Results: Although several bacterial strains were isolated from the samples, only one, DMXS, was capable of growing on [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene from DMXS strain classified the organism as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. DMXS strain incubated with [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR lowered the amount of toxin from 1 μg.L−1 to < 0.05 μg.L−1 . Besides, an increase in the bacterial count–from 71 × 105 bacteria.mL−1 to 117 × 105 bacteria.mL−1 –was observed along the incubation. Conclusions: The use of bacteria isolated from sediment for technological applications to remove toxic compounds is viable. Studies have shown that sediment plays an important role as a source of bacteria capable of degrading cyanobacterial toxins. This is the first Brazilian report on a bacterium–of the genus Pseudomonas–that can degrade [D-Leu1 ] microcystin-LR, the most frequent microcystin variant in Brazilian freshwaters.

With a surface area of over 10,000 km 2, Patos Lagoon is Brazil's largest (choked) coastal lagoon. Directly or indirectly, Patos is associated with two other coastal lagoons, Mirim and Mangueira. Patos Lagoon reaches maximum water level height during the austral winter, in coherence with the rainy season. The longest (1961-2011) available rainfall (recorded at nearby Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil) and river discharge time series (1940-2011, in the tributary Jacuí River, at Rio Pardo) shows an overall increasing trend through the application of Mann-Kendall analysis. If, however, the series are split in two segments, negative trends become evident for the 1990-2011 period; in both cases earlier data showed a positive trend until ∼1989. Coherent with water inflow, the lagoon's water height level shows a seasonal Kendall's τ coefficient that is consistently negative for the month of April (statistically significant p). Rainfall over Patos' drainage basin is actively teleconnected with ENSO occurrences in the equatorial Pacific. This can be verified in Porto Alegre's rainfall as well as in the Jacuí River discharge time series and in the lagoon's water level variability; a distinctly negative Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) usually results in excess precipitation, high riverine discharge and, accordingly, above normal lagoon water level. The use of a method for harmonic analysis (Continuous Wavelet Transform or CWT) allows detecting decadal and inter-annual periodicities in the rainfall and discharge frequencies and in the lagoon's water level time series. Also, a change in the frequency pattern appears to have occurred in the late 1990s (i.e., simultaneous with the 1997 ENSO event?) and suggests that it may be connected with the trend change which resulted in the current negative slope observed in deseasonalized hydrological data and a fainter ENSO signal for the region. Fil: Pasquini, Andrea Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina Fil: Niencheski, Luis F.H.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Depetris Gallino, Pedro Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina

The extratropical cyclones are associates to frontals systems and air temperatures gradients at troposphere. The aim of this work was relate the effect of these cyclones in increase of salinity in the stream of access to Patos Lagoon. A climatologic analysis of extratropical cyclones that moved for northeast/east near to the coast of Rio Grande do Sul State, in two distinct periods: May 2006 to march 2007 and May 2007 to March 2008. The first one corresponds to an El Niño period and the second one to a La Niña period. This analysis was made through the satellite GOES-E images and for the surface synoptic maps available by CPTEC. The salinity data had been collected daily in the stream. The cyclogenesis during La Niña was bigger than El Niño, however in El Niño period they had been more representative in the climatic change in the region, mainly in increase of the south wind intensity, that pushes saline water for inside of the estuary, so had more than increase in the salinity caused by the south wind during this period. However exists, the significant relationship between the extratropical cyclones of and the increase of salinity in the estuary of Patos Lagoon Os ciclones extratropicais estão associados à sistemas frontais e gradientes de temperatura do ar na troposfera. O objetivo foi relacionar o efeito dos ciclones extratropicais no aumento da salinidade no canal de acesso à lagoa. Foi feita uma análise dos ciclones extratropicais que se movem na direção nordeste / leste, ao longo da costa do Rio Grande do Sul, em dois períodos distintos: Maio de 2006-Março de 2007 e maio de 2007 a março de 2008. O primeiro corresponde a um período de El Niño e o segundo de La Niña. Esta análise foi realizada com as imagens do satélite GOES-E e com mapas sinóticos de superfície fornecidos pelo CPTEC. Os dados de salinidade foram coletados diariamente no canal. Os ciclones extratropicais ocorreram, em maior número, durante a La Niña, mas durante El Niño foram dominantes na mudança do clima na região, principalmente no aumento da intensidade do vento sul, o que empurra a água salgada para o estuário. Portanto, existe uma relação significativa entre a passagem de ciclones extratropicais no Atlântico Sul e o aumento da salinidade no estuário da Lagoa dos Patos

Estudos sísmicos revelam paleocanais que dissecaram a região costeira do Rio Grande do Sul. Dois sistemas de paleocanais foram estabelecidos para a área da Lagoa dos Patos. O preenchimento do sistema de canais mais jovem e´Holoceno. Ele e´relacionado à última regressão marinha do Pleistoceno, correspondendo ao estágio isotópico 2 do oxigê nio. O processo de incisão e preenchimento do sistema mais antigo é relacionado ao evento regressivo-transgressivo anterior, correspondendo aos estágios isotópicos do oxigênio 6-5. As linhas de paleodrenagens foram conectadas àquelas previamente reconhecidas na plataforma continental. À montante, elas podem ser conectadas ao curso atual dos rios Camaquã e Jacuí. As redes de paleodrenagens reconhecidas na zona costeira representam um sistema de ligação entre a bacia de drenagem continental e sítios deposicionais na bacia marginal, dissecando a plataforma continental exposta durante um evento de regressã o forçada. A descarga do sistema mais jovem alimentou sistemas deltaicos instalados da borda da plataforma durante o período de mar baixo que perdurou até o final da última glaciação. A última transgressão afogou e preencheu os vales costeiros, fechando a ligação entre a Lagoa dos Patos e o Oceano Atlântico. Os sistemas de paleodrenagens aqui considerados devem ter desempenhado um papel importante na arquitetura, distribuição faciológica e no espaço de acomodação da bacia marginal durante as oscilações do nível marinho no Quaternário. Seismic studies reveals paleochannels that dissected the Rio Grande do Sul coastal zone. Two paleochannels systems were established in the Patos Lagoon area. The channel filling of the younger system is Holocene. It is related to the last marine regression of the Pleistocene, corresponding to the oxygen isotope stage 2. The incision and filling of the older system is related to the previous regressive-transgressive event, corresponding to the oxygen isotope stages 6-5. The paleodrainage paths were connected with those previously recognized on the adjacent continental shelf. Landwards, the paleodrainage lines can be linked with the present courses of the Camaquã and Jacuí rivers. The paleodrainage network recognized on the coastal zone represents a river-shelf system, linking the drainage basin to the depositional settings on the marginal basin, bypassing the continental shelf exposed during a forced regression event. The bypassing discharge of the younger system fed delta systems installed on the shelf edge during the sea level lowstand that lasted until the end of the last glaciation. The last transgression drowned the incised drainage, infilling it and closing the inlets formerly existing between the Patos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The incised paleodrainage herein considered may have played an important role on the basin-margin architecture, facies distribution and accommodation during the Quaternary sea level oscillations.

The Patos Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in the world, has long been receiving considerable anthropogenic input resulting from urban, rural and industrial activities. Thus, sewage contamination possibly originating from the more than 2 million inhabitants living within its drainage basin is examined in this study. Sediment samples collected from various points along the Lagoon were extracted, purified and analysed by GC-MS. Ten different sterols and ketones, including coprostanol and epicoprostanol, were identified and quantified. The highest coprostanol concentration was found near Porto Alegre City (1,423 ng g-1 dry wt.), whilst most sediment levels ranged between < DOL and 91.78 ng g-1. The highest concentrations were found at those three sites located closest to domestic outfalls though levels tended to decrease with distance from the sources. The 5b/(5b+5a) isomeric ratios indicated sewage contaminated sediments near Porto Alegre City, while the epicoprostanol/coprostanol ratio showed values characteristic of untreated sewage input. A Lagoa dos Patos (RS), considerada a maior lagoa costeira do mundo, tem sido afetada por diversas atividades antrópicas. Um risco de contaminação por esgoto ocorre devido ao estabelecimento de mais de 2 milhões de habitantes ao longo da bacia de drenagem desta região. Amostras de sedimentos foram coletadas e analisadas por CG-EM. Dez diferentes esteróis, incluindo coprostanol e epicoprostanol (fecais), e cetonas foram identificados e quantificados. A maior concentração de coprostanol foi encontrada próximo à cidade de Porto Alegre (1.423 ng g-1). Nos demais pontos, a concentração variou desde o limite de detecção até 91,78 ng g-1. As maiores concentrações foram encontradas próximo à descarga de esgotos e os níveis diminuíram com o aumento da distância desde as fontes. As razões isoméricas 5b / (5b+5a) indicaram sedimentos contaminados próximo a Porto Alegre. A razão epicoprostanol/coprostanol mostrou valores característicos do aporte de esgoto sem tratamento ao longo da Lagoa dos Patos.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of vegetated beds on macrofauna community structure of the estuarine soft bottoms of the Patos Lagoon, southern Brazil. Comparative analyses were made by faunal samples collected inside and outside in two kinds of vegetated beds: a sea grass meadows during the summer period and, an algal mats at winter one. The presence of theses vegetated beds had essentially favoring highest densities of epifaunal organisms by increase of substratum for fixation and feeding, which could to result at decrease of evenness and, consequently, of the diversity of macrofauna inside these beds such as registered at summer survey. Differences in the both evenness and diversity at winter survey as well in the composition and number of species at both times were not observed among habitats. These results indicate that the increase at structural complexity of habitat promoted by presence of vegetated beds not necessarily favoring the increase of the macrofauna diversity of the estuarine region of the Patos Lagoon.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the deposition impact of dredged material from Patos lagoon estuary on a benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in an adjacent coastal marine area. Nine sampling stations were chosen at random in the disposal area, and nine others in the same way in an adjacent control area. Samples were collected at a 19 m depth before sediment disposal (11 July 2000), during dredging and disposal operations (25 Oct. 2000), and three months thereafter (24 Aug. 2001). Statistical analysis indicated that sampling periods presented similar characteristics in both the control and disposal sites. Disposal of dredged sediment from Patos lagoon had no detectable detrimental effects upon macrobenthic faunal assemblage at the dumping site. This result is attributed both to adaptation of resident biota to dynamic sedimentary conditions and to the fine estuarine sediment dredged, the dispersion of which in the water column might have minimized sediment deposition and consequent damage to the benthic fauna. Objetivou-se avaliar o impacto da deposição de material dragado proveniente da região estuarina da lagoa dos Patos sobre a estrutura da associação macrobentônica no sítio de deposição, situado no ambiente marinho costeiro adjacente à desembocadura da laguna. Nove estações de coleta foram sorteadas, tanto no sítio de deposição quanto na área controle adjacente. As amostras, a 19 m de profundidade, foram coletadas antes do início de deposição do sedimento (11/07/2000), durante as operações de dragagem e deposição (25/10/2000) e três meses após o encerramento das atividades de deposição do material dragado (24/08/2001). Análises estatísticas indicaram que áreas controle e sítio de deposição apresentaram características faunísticas similares dentro dos períodos amostrais. Não foram detectados efeitos prejudiciais da deposição do sedimento sobre a associação de macroinvertebrados bentônicos na área de depósito. Este resultado pode ser atribuído às características da biota residente que está, provavelmente, adaptada às condições da dinâmica sedimentar do local e também às características predominantemente finas do sedimento dragado que, ao dispersar-se na coluna d'água, minimizaram a deposição das frações mais finas e um eventual dano ao macrozoobentos.

A three-dimensional numerical model is used to investigate the Patos Lagoon flow response to idealized northeasterly winds and river inflow. North of Ponta da Feitoria, in the central lagoon, the main balance in the alongshore direction at steady state is between the surface stress and the pressure gradient, with a small contribution from the bottom stress. The alongshore variability in the pressure gradient is balanced by the Coriolis acceleration. In the cross-shore direction, the balance is nearly geostrophic, with deviations from that balance in the shallow regions, where the bottom stress term makes a significant contribution. Close to headlands, nonlinear terms are also important, leading to an additional increase in the cross-shore pressure gradient. Relaxation events were found to be important for seiche generation in the central lagoon. Close to the lagoon's mouth, nonlinear terms were found to be the major terms balancing the pressure gradient generated in response to the wind forcing. After the wind relaxation, the pressure gradient in the estuarine region is reversed, driving a landward flow. River inflow acts to dampen out the generation of seiches following wind relaxations. A river inflow Q = 2000 m³ s-1 was found to be sufficient to shut down the landward flow generated following relaxation events.Um modelo numérico tridimensional é utilizado para investigar a circulação na Lagoa dos Patos em resposta aos ventos e à descarga fluvial. Ao norte da Ponta da Feitoria, o principal balanço na direção longitudinal é entre o estresse superficial e o gradiente de pressão, com pequena contribuição do estresse de fundo. A variabilidade longitudinal no gradiente de pressão é balanceada pela aceleração de Coriolis. Na direção transversal à lagoa, o balanço é aproximadamente geostrófico, com desvios deste balanço nas regiões rasas, onde o estresse de fundo contribui significamente. Os termos não lineares são importantes próximo aos cabos, causando um aumento adicional no gradiente de pressão na direção transversal. Eventos de relaxação são significativos na geração de seiches na parte central da lagoa. Próximo à desembocadura da lagoa, os termos não lineares são os principais termos contrapondo-se ao gradiente de pressão gerado pela ação dos ventos. O gradiente de pressão é revertido após a relaxação dos ventos, causando a entrada de água na lagoa. A descarga fluvial atenua a geração de seiches após a relaxação. Valores médios de descarga (Q = 2000 m³ s-1) são suficientes para impedir a entrada de água na lagoa após a relaxação do vento.

A comparative study of the infaunal recruitment patterns among disturbed surface sediment mounds around Chasmagnathus granulata Dana, 1851 burrows and undisturbed adjacent sediments was done in two intertidal soft bottom habitats (an upper and a lower mudflat zone) in an estuarine inlet of Patos Lagoon, southern Brazil. The most abundant infaunal organisms were recruits of the polychaete Laeonereis acuta Treadwell, 1923 and of the tanaid Kalliapseudes schubartii Mañé-Garzón, 1949. The densities of these species did not differ significantly between upper and lower mudflat habitats. These species showed lower densities around crab burrows than in adjacent areas, where differences in sediment characteristics were observed as well. The results indicate that C. granulata disturbances may play an important role in regulating the soft bottom benthic community by controlling infaunal recruitment in the estuarine intertidal mudflats of the Patos Lagoon.

This work presents the results of a high-resolution seismic reflection data survey carried out in the Patos lagoon inlet, near Rio Grande the southernmost harbor of Brazil. The analysis of the reflection patterns reveals the presence of transgressive/regressive barrier structures and beach/foredune-ridges. The mapping of these barrier structures allows a better understanding of the geological evolution of the Patos lagoon system during the Quaternary period and also helps to understand the evolution and migration of the actual lagoonal inlet between the Patos lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. Fil: Stalliviere Corrêa, Iran Carlos. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Aliotta, Salvador. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina Fil: Weschenfelder, Jair. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil

This study was conducted in two estuarine inlets (Saco da Mangueira and Saco do Arraial) at the Patos Lagoon estuary, southern Brazil. The changes in relative abundance and size of post-larvae and juvenile shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis and juvenile blue crab Callinectes sapidus were compared, considering the influence of salinity and the presence of submerged seagrass meadows. The analyses were performed using generalized linear models (GLM) for abundance variations and ANOVA for variations on the size of individuals. The pink shrimp was more abundant at Saco da Mangueira, in seagrass meadows and areas of higher salinity. The blue crab was more abundant at Saco do Arraial and in lower levels of salinity. The importance of submerged vegetation for the blue crab lies in a preference of smaller crabs of the species for the seagrass meadows. It has been shown that these species choose different habitats in the estuary, and both the salinity and the presence of submerged seagrass meadows influence the selection of habitat.