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As Coleções Zoológicas Didáticas (CZD), quando contextualizadas, podem potencializar o ensino de zoologia e auxiliar os processos relativos à preservação e conservação das espécies. Este estudo relata uma experiência de Projeto de Ensino que, visando contribuir para ações de Educação Ambiental e o ensino e aprendizagem de zoologia, criou e implementou uma CZD em Escola Técnica do Município de São Vicente (SP). O material reuniu 30 espécies representativas da biodiversidade costeira do Litoral Centro de São Paulo, com potencial interdicisplinaridade a ser trabalhada nas aulas de ciências e biologia. Para implementar a CZD, foi oferecido um curso aos docentes da escola, além de material de apoio ao uso dessa coleção.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:32:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Brazilian endemic batoid elasmobranch populations have declined dramatically in the past 40 years due to anthropic activities (e.g., overfishing). The Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii, included in the IUCN red list of endangered species [Critically Endangered (CR)], has been captured as by-catch by trawling fishing boats to the edge of extinction. Despite governmental conservation initiatives, the species is still caught and commercialized along the Brazilian coast. In this study, the authors report three rare aggregation events for the Brazilian coast of P. horkelii, inside the only nearshore no-entry Brazilian marine protected area. Strategies for its protection are also discussed. Laboratory of Ichthyology Department of Oceanography Federal University of Espírito Santo Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory Department of Ecology and Zoology Federal University of Santa Catarina Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM/UFRJ Avenida São José Barreto Biology of Teleosts and Elasmobranchs Laboratory (LABITEL) Department of Ecology and Zoology Federal University of Santa Catarina Elasmobranch Research Laboratory São Paulo State University Campus do Litoral Paulista Pça. Infante Dom Henrique Elasmobranch Research Laboratory São Paulo State University Campus do Litoral Paulista Pça. Infante Dom Henrique

The present study compares the trophic ecology of two guitarfishes (Pseudobatos percellens and Pseudobatos horkelii) from the continental shelf of the São Paulo State, Brazil, caught by the bottom pair trawls between 2007 and 2009. These two sympatric species are under different threat categories, "Vulnerable" and "Critically Endangered," respectively, according to Brazilian agencies. Thus, any study considering trophic ecology parameters is pivotal in understanding the trophic ecology role of such species in the ecosystem. The authors analysed 500 stomachs of P. percellens and 108 of P. horkelii, quantifying with dietary indexes: numerical (%N), gravimetric (%W), frequency of occurrence (%FO) and the prey-specific index of relative importance (%PSIRI). For P. percellens and P. horkelii, 26 and 14 different prey items were found, respectively. Crustacea and Teleostei were the most important prey items for both species, indicating a specialist feeding behaviour due to their low niche amplitude. The results provide evidence related to ontogenetic dietary shift in P. percellens and individual-level diet specialization in both species. These two benthic-demersal elasmobranchs are important mesopredators (3,7 for P. percellens, and 3,5 for P. horkelii) in the study area, with high trophic-level values.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:38:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-12 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundacao RENOVA Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) FAPES Instituto Linha D'Agua Understanding habitat-level variation in community structure provides an informed basis for natural resources' management. Reef fishes are a major component of tropical marine biodiversity, but their abundance and distribution are poorly assessed beyond conventional SCUBA diving depths. Based on a baited-video survey of fish assemblages in Southwestern Atlantic's most biodiverse region we show that species composition responded mainly to the two major hard-bottom megahabitats (reefs and rhodolith beds) and to the amount of light reaching the bottom. Both megahabitats encompassed typical reef fish assemblages but, unexpectedly, richness in rhodolith beds and reefs was equivalent. The dissimilar fish biomass and trophic structure in reefs and rhodolith beds indicates that these systems function based on contrasting energy pathways, such as the much lower herbivory recorded in the latter. Rhodolith beds, the dominant benthic megahabitat in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic shelf, play an underrated role as fish habitats, and it is critical that they are considered in conservation planning. Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, SAGE COPPE, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Lab Ecol Aquat & Educ Ambiental, Tres Rios, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Sul Bahia, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Porto Seguro, BA, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Santos, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil

Este artigo é uma homenagem ao professor e ictiólogo brasileiro Ulisses Leite Gomes, uma das maiores referências em morfologia e taxonomia de elasmobrânquios no mundo, e que agora está se aposentando após 40 anos de serviços prestados à Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). Aqui, contamos um pouco de sua história e de sua trajetória nos estudos de tubarões e raias e suas importantes contribuições para o conhecimento desse grupo. Ao final, apresentamos depoimentos de ex-alunos(as) e colegas de profissão, que gentilmente se unem a nós nessa homenagem, representando toda a comunidade acadêmica ictiológica. This article is a tribute to the Brazilian professor and ichthyologist Ulisses Leite Gomes, one of the greatest references in morphology and taxonomy of elasmobranchs in the world, and who is now retiring after 40 years of service at the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil. Here, we tell a little about his history and trajectory in the studies of sharks and rays and his important contributions to those groups' knowledge. At the end, we present testimonies from former students and professional colleagues, who kindly join us in this tribute, representing the entire ichthyological academic community.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:59:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-05-20 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) This study describes the fetal mummification process in two embryos of a 310 cm total length scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini caught in southeastern Brazil, in December 2017. Fourteen embryos were observed in total, in which two males in the left uterus presented different stages of mummification. Both mummified embryos were covered by an exudate (i.e., a mucous substance), indicating a hematic mummification process. All embryos were at the placentotrophic stage of development, indicating that they were close to parturition. An intrinsic characteristic is suggested as possible etiology for this condition, such as umbilical torsion, because both embryos were at different sizes and, therefore, at different development stages. In addition, the sample size did not allow the authors to presume any pollution effect once only one female was observed. Finally, fetal mummification and other embryonic development disorders might have populational impacts due to reduction in embryo survival and, consequently, recruitment. For this reason and considering that S. lewini is categorized as a critically endangered species, this study's results have conservational relevance. Univ Fed Rio Grande FURG, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Fisiol, Inst Ciencias Biol, Ave Italia Km 8, BR-96203900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisas Elasmobranquios, Inst Biociencias, Sao Vicente, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Biol Zool, Inst Biociencias, Rio Claro, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisas Elasmobranquios, Inst Biociencias, Sao Vicente, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Biol Zool, Inst Biociencias, Rio Claro, Brazil CAPES: 001 CNPq: 308430/2015-8

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T17:23:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 PetroRio An ethnoichthyological survey was conducted with fishers from traditional communities distributed between the Lakes Region and the northern Fluminense region, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study was developed based on semi-structured interviews, with fishers with at least 30 years of experience. Fishers were asked about changes noted for the biological communities with which they interact with, such as reports concerning abundance changes, the disappearance of certain species or the insertion of new ones, as well as weight and size changes. The reported ethno-names were confirmed at the specific level whenever possible through photographs and complementary descriptions. Eighty-five fishers aged between 39 to 83 years old were interviewed. Fishing activity times ranged from 30 to 68 years, averaging 40.6 years. Fishers reported differing estimates from what was expected according to the known length-weight relationship for the reported species. In general, length estimates were closer to the expected for medium-sized fish from 0.3 m to 1 m. Sixty-nine ethno-names and their variations were identified, associated with 58 fish categories. Of this total, denominations were associated to 47 local fauna species or genera, while one ethno-name was not linked to any taxonomic identification. This study is the result of research financed by the Brazilian Fund for Biodiversity and the Pescarte Environmental Education Project, a mitigation measure required by the Federal Environmental Licensing, conducted by IBAMA. Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Lab Biol & Tecnol Pesqueira BioTecPesca, BR-21941590 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Programa Posgrad Ecol, BR-21941590 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Fluminense, BR-24220008 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:41:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-07-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Oropharyngeal dermal denticles and oral papillae are present throughout the oropharyngeal cavity, and incorporate the use of taste buds to orally process and evaluate the food items, whereas oral denticles are thought to provide a form of protection against abrasion during food consumption and improve ventilation efficiency. Herein, are compared the microstructure of the oropharyngeal denticles and papillae of large predatory requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae) (Carcharhinus brevipinna, C. leucas, C. limbatus, C. obscurus, C. signatus, and Galeocerdo cuvier), under scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the largest oral denticles were found in adults of C. signatus, followed by juveniles of G. cuvier, C. leucas, and C. obscurus, respectively. Oral papillae were found to be larger in G. cuvier, C. signatus, and in C. leucas, and all these specimens presented round-shaped papillae. The higher denticles densities were found in the oral cavity of C. signatus, however, this species presented the lowest density of papillae. Carcharhinus limbatus presented the second highest rate of denticles density, followed by G. cuvier, C. obscurus, C. leucas, and C. brevipinna. The highest density of papillae was found in C. brevipinna, indicating that the density of denticles is inversely proportional to the papillae distribution, the same as we observed in C. signatus. The denticles density seems to be higher as the animal increases in size, as we observed in adult specimens of C. signatus, and this shark presented two different morphologies of denticles, different from the other species studied here. This may suggest that densities and sizes of these structures differ as the animals grow, expressed by the prey spectrum availability and the dietary shifts due to the distinct habitat which the species are associated during their life cycles. Instituto de Biociências Campus de Rio Claro Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Av. 22A, 1515, Bela Vista Laboratório de Pesquisa de Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n - Parque Bitaru Laboratório de Anatomia e Fisiologia Comparada LAFCOM e Núcleo de Ictiologia do Vale do Alto Juruá (NIVAJ) Campus Floresta Universidade Federal do Acre, Estrada do Canela Fina, Km 12, Glebra do Formoso Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco Laboratório de Histologia Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, travessa 14, Butantã Instituto de Biociências Campus de Rio Claro Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Av. 22A, 1515, Bela Vista Laboratório de Pesquisa de Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n - Parque Bitaru CNPq: 142174/2018-1 FAPESP: 142174/2018-1 FAPESP: 2010/52677-6 FAPESP: 2012/22692-9

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T15:01:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-04-07 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum, Ginglymostomatidae) are one of the most exhibited shark species in aquariums worldwide. However, in these locations, their reproductive success rate is frequently low. Considering that there is probably an olfactory mediation for nurse shark reproduction, and that environmental enrichment has a potentially positive effect on reproduction of captive animals, the present study aimed to evaluate whether the use of olfactory enrichment would stimulate olfactory-driven behaviors and consequently generate effects in the exhibition of reproductive behaviors by the species both in the short and long term. The study was divided into three phases (control, short-term enrichment and long-term enrichment), was conducted at two institutions with distinct husbandry and used aqueous extracts of basil leaves as olfactory enrichment. Eleven individuals were selected through focal sampling for behavioral observations with instantaneous recording, the total of 120 h of observation were divided into active and inactive periods. Results showed that basil-based olfactory enrichment was effective in increasing the occurrence of reproductive behaviors in both female and male nurse sharks. Additionally, the long-term results showed higher effects in males, which strengthen the theory of olfactory mediation of reproductive behavior in the species as individuals became aware of the sensory cues in the environment and performed more olfactory-driven reproductive behaviors. It is important to note that enrichment effects are different between sexes and therefore close monitoring and scheduling are essential to avoid over-stimulation or habituation to the enrichment. Sao Paulo State Univ, Elasmobranch Res Lab, Coastal Campus Sao Vicente, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Aquario Sao Paulo, R Huet Bacelar 407, BR-04275000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Vet Med & Husb, Dept Anim Reprod, Av Prof Orlando Marques Paiva 87, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Lab Bioprospect Nat Prod, Coastal Campus Sao Vicente, Praca Infante Dom Henr S-N, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Elasmobranch Res Lab, Coastal Campus Sao Vicente, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Lab Bioprospect Nat Prod, Coastal Campus Sao Vicente, Praca Infante Dom Henr S-N, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil CAPES: 001

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:31:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-02-25 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Save Our Seas Foundation Guitarfishes and angelsharks are two of the most endangered elasmobranch groups. Despite this, limited knowledge exists regarding the effects of environmental contamination in these groups. For this reason, this study assessed the concentrations of metals in liver and muscle of three guitarfishes (Pseudobatos horkelii, P. percellens, and Zapteryx brevirostris) and one angelshark species (Squatina guggenheim) captured during the year of 2019 in one of the most impacted areas in South America: the Sao Paulo State coast, Brazil, Southwest Atlantic. Cadmium (Cd) Chromium (Cr) Cupper (Cu) Iron (Fe), Mercury (Hg), and Lead (Pb) were determined by atomic spectrometry, with samples being previously acid digested. Among the non-essential metals, Cd had the highest mean concentrations for all species, followed by Pb and Hg, whereas Fe had the highest mean levels among the essential metals analyzed, followed by Cu and Cr. Liver and muscle samples had different concentrations, with liver presenting the highest concentrations. Except for Cd, non-essential metals had relatively low concentrations when compared to other elasmobranch species reported in the literature, which could be explained by the efficiency in metabolizing these compounds or differential life history patterns among the species studied herein and other. Considering that all species analyzed herein arc typically consumed, human health impacts must be considered, especially concerning Cd concentrations. Furthermore, Cd, Cr and Pb were above the safety limits, indicating potential hazard for human consumption. In conclusion, our results suggest that these species are exposed to metals and that concentrations above the safety limits observed for these species must be taken into consideration regarding human consumption. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Univ Fed Rio Grande FURG, Inst Ciencias Biol, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Fisiol, Av Italia Km 8, BR-96203900 Rio Grande, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Elasmobranch Res Lab, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, Brazil Univ Fed Rio Grande FURG, Inst Ciencias Biol, Av Italia Km 8, BR-96203900 Rio Grande, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Elasmobranch Res Lab, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, Brazil CAPES: 001 Save Our Seas Foundation: SOSF 422

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:10:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-09-01 Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Save Our Seas Foundation Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Vagile, large-bodied marine organisms frequently have wide range dispersion but also dependence on coastal habitats for part of their life history. These characteristics may induce complex population genetic structure patterns, with resulting implications for the management of exploited populations. The scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini, is a cosmopolitan, migratory shark in tropical and warm temperate waters, inhabiting coastal bays during parturition and juvenile development, and the open ocean as adults. Here, we investigated the genetic connectivity and diversity of S. lewini in the western Atlantic using large sample coverage (N = 308), and data from whole mitochondrial control region (mtCR) sequences and ten nuclear microsatellite markers We detected significant population genetic structure with both mtCR and microsatellites markers (mtCR: ΦST = 0.60; p < 0.001; microsatellites: Dest 0.0794, p = 0.001, FST = 0.046, p < 0.05), and isolation by distance (mtCR r = 0.363, p = 0.009; microsatellites markers r = 0.638, p = 0.007). Migration and gene flow patterns were asymmetric and female reproductive philopatry is postulated to explain population subdivisions. The notable population differentiation at microsatellites markers indicates low-levels of male-mediated gene flow in the western Atlantic. The overall effective population size was estimated as 299 (215–412 CI), and there was no evidence of strong or recent bottleneck effects. Findings of at least three management units, moderate genetic diversity, and low effective population size in the context of current overfishing calls for intensive management aimed at short and long-term conservation for this endangered species in the western Atlantic Ocean. Laboratório Genômica e Evolução Molecular Departamento de Genética Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Rua Professor Doutor Antonio Celso Wagner Zanin s/nº, Rubião Júnior Departamento de Ciências do Mar Instituto do Mar Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Rua Carvalho de Mendonça, 144 Save Our Seas Shark Research Center USA and Guy Harvey Research Institute Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive Laboratório de Genética e Conservação Universidade Santa Cecília - UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Mota, 8 Laboratório de Pesquisa de Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Praça Infante D. Henrique, s/n Laboratório Genômica Integrativa Departamento de Morfologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Laboratório Genômica e Evolução Molecular Departamento de Genética Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Rua Professor Doutor Antonio Celso Wagner Zanin s/nº, Rubião Júnior Laboratório de Pesquisa de Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Praça Infante D. Henrique, s/n Laboratório Genômica Integrativa Departamento de Morfologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation: 0000 Save Our Seas Foundation: 000000 FAPESP: 2007/03065-5 FAPESP: 2007/03067-8 FAPESP: 2017/02420-8

Este trabalho apresenta um guia de identificação simplificado das espécies de tubarões, raias e quimeras (conjuntamente chamados de peixes cartilaginosos) que ocorrem na costa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Esse trabalho é direcionado a pesquisadores, professores universitários, estudantes de biologia, oceanografia, veterinária, mergulhadores, pescadores, outros profissionais ligados ao mar, e mesmo o público em geral que se interesse pela vida marinha e pelos Chondrichthyes. As chaves de identificação são baseadas em caracteres morfológicos e morfométricos externos, de fácil conferência mesmo por leigos. Para cada ordem, família, gênero e espécie, são apresentados nomes populares, caracteres morfológicos distintivos, faixas de tamanho, distribuição espacial, hábitos e biologia, e outras observações quando pertinentes. Para a área estudada, são reconhecidas neste guia, tubarões: seis ordens, dezenove famílias, trinta e dois gêneros e sessenta e uma espécies; raias: quatro ordens, catorze famílias, vinte e quatro gêneros e trinta e oito espécies; quimeras: uma ordem, três famílias, três gêneros, quatro espécies e, finalmente, quimeras: uma ordem, três famílias, três gêneros e quatro espécies

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T20:09:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-08-15 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Nurse sharks are vulnerable of extinction in Brazil. Although its reproductive behavioral repertoire is already known, including indications that females are not passive to the attempts of males, no indication of proceptive behavior of females of this species is known. Considering that proceptive behavior is what initiates or increases the probability of a male exhibiting sexual behaviors directed at a female, the present study carried out behavioral observations in two groups of nurse sharks in reproductive period to identify possible proceptive behaviors. The present work identified a new behavior, here referred to as Body Movement (BM), as an indicator of proceptivity. This behavior corresponded on average to 47.68% of the reproductive behaviors performed by the females and its occurrence was positively correlated (r = 0.5143341 / p = 0.04152 - Spearman) with the occurrence of socio-reproductive behaviors of males. Being able to identify signs of proceptivity in animals is important to understand the reproductive context in which a group is found and to allow greater attention to animals that are able to reproduce, in order to create more efficient reproductive management programs to develop long-term sustainable population management. Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Elasmobranch Res Lab, Praca Infante Dom Henr S-N, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Aquario Sao Paulo, R Huet Bacelar 407, BR-04275000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Vet Med & Husb, Dept Anim Reprod, Ave Prof Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Elasmobranch Res Lab, Praca Infante Dom Henr S-N, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil CAPES: 001

The present study analysed the condition factor (K) and the hepato-somatic index (I H ) of the Brazilian sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon lalandii during its entire life cycle. Discontinuity of liver growth was observed after sexual maturity. High condition values were recorded in the length classes of 300-350 mm (neonates), when the livers represented about 8% of total mass, decreasing until the length classes of 400-450 and 450-500 mm in females and males, respectively. Seasonal analysis exhibited low I H values in the summer, while for K, low values were in spring, indicating greater investment for body growth during spring and for gonad maturation in summer. Such findings indicate that this small coastal shark species accumulates reserve substances in the liver that will be used during reproduction. The decline in I H values in juveniles suggests that reserves provisioned by the mother to the neonate liver can be used in the first months of life.

The night shark, Carcharhinus signatus, is a mesopelagic, semi‐oceanic shark species found only in the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most frequently caught sharks in pelagic longline fisheries and is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite their prevalence in commercial fisheries, the population genetic structure of the night shark has not been assessed. The present study investigated the genetic diversity, genetic connectivity, and phylogeography of the species throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, based on complete mitochondrial control region (mtCR) sequence data (n = 152) and genotypic data from nine nuclear microsatellites (n = 119). The mtCR sequence revealed 19 haplotypes, with overall haplotype and nucleotide diversities of 0.74 (±0.027) and 0.0034 (±0.0019), respectively, whereas the nuclear microsatellite observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.408 and 0.421, respectively. There was significant population structure (ФST = 0.429; P

Occurrence of multiple whitetip reef sharks Triaenodon obesus in the Atlantic Ocean is reported for the first time from near a sunken ferry off the Parana coast in south-eastern Brazil. This occurrence is hypothesized to have been caused by either a human introduction or a remarkably long oceanic displacement.

Many populations of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are experiencing severe declines due to the high demand for shark fins in Asia, the activities of unregulated fisheries, and increases in shark and ray catches. Recently, the effects of the decline in the populations of marine fish species on genetic diversity have drawn increasing attention; however, only a few studies have addressed the genetic diversity of shark and ray populations. Here, we report the results of a quantitative analysis of the genetic diversity of shark and ray species over the past 20 years and discuss the importance and utility of this genetic information for fisheries management and conservation policies. Furthermore, we suggest future actions important for minimizing the gaps in our current knowledge of the genetic diversity of shark and ray species and to minimize the information gap between genetic scientists and policymakers. We suggest that shark and ray fisheries management and conservation policies consider genetic diversity information, such as the management unit, effective population size (Ne), haplotype and nucleotide diversity, observed heterozygosity, and allelic richness, because the long-term survival of a species is strongly dependent on the levels of genetic diversity within and between populations. In addition, sharks and rays are a group of particular interest for genetic conservation due to their remarkable life histories.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:15:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-03-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Save Our Seas Foundation The silky shark, Carcharhinus falciformis, is a large-bodied, oceanic-coastal, epipelagic species found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. Despite its commercial importance, concerns about overexploitation, and likely ecological significance of this shark as an upper trophic-level predator, understanding of its population dynamics remains unclear for large parts of its distribution. We investigated the genetic diversity, population structure and demographic history of the silky shark along the western Atlantic Ocean based on the use of 707 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region (mtCR). A total of 211 silky sharks were sampled, originating from five areas along the western Atlantic Ocean. The mitochondrial sequences revealed 40 haplotypes, with overall haplotype and nucleotide diversities of 0.88 (± 0.012) and 0.005 (± 0.003), respectively. The overall population structure was significantly different among the five western Atlantic Ocean regions. Phylogenetic analysis of mtCR sequences from globally sourced silky shark samples revealed two lineages, comprising a western Atlantic lineage and western Atlantic—Indo-Pacific lineage that diverged during the Pleistocene Epoch. In general, tests for the demographic history of silky sharks supported a population expansion for both the global sample set and the two lineages. Although our results showed that silky sharks have high genetic diversity, the current high level of overexploitation of this species requires long-term, scientifically informed management efforts. We recommend that fishery management and conservation plans be done separately for the two western Atlantic matrilineal populations revealed here. Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Av. 24-A, 1515 Laboratório de Pesquisa de Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Campus do Litoral Paulista, Praça Infante D. Henrique, s/n Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes Núcleo Integrado de Biotecnologia., PO BOX 411 Save Our Seas Shark Research Center USA and Guy Harvey Research Institute Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive Laboratório de Oceanografia Pesqueira Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Av. 24-A, 1515 Laboratório de Pesquisa de Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP Campus do Litoral Paulista, Praça Infante D. Henrique, s/n FAPESP: #2009/59660-6 FAPESP: #2013/08675-7

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T17:03:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-12-20 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundacao Estadual de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Espirito Santo PROTRINDADE Here we present records of sharks obtained using baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVS) at two Brazilian oceanic islands. Fourteen of the 60 deployments recorded 19 sharks in Trindade Island. In Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA), two pelagic and two demersal deployments recorded two and one shark, respectively, including the locally extinct Galapagos shark Carcharhinus galapagensis. Stereo-BRUVS should be considered as adjuncts to other non-invasive methods to monitor shark populations. Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Oceanog, Programa Posgrad Oceanog Ambiental, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Fed Fluminense, Dept Biol Marinha, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Curtin Univ, Sch Mol & Life Sci, Perth, WA, Australia Univ Fed Para UFPA, Nucleo Ecol Aquat & Pesca Amazonia, Aquat Ecol Grp Lab, Belem, Para, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil CNPq: 441241/2016-6 CNPq: 441243/2016-9 CAPES: 001 PROTRINDADE: 405426/2012-7

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T20:13:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-11-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The age and growth of three endemic threatened guitarfish species were analysed using vertebrae of Pseudobatos horkelii, P. percellens and Zapteryx brevirostris. Edge and marginal-increment analyses were used to evaluate the periodicity of the formation of the band-pairs, suggesting deposition of one band-pair per year, from late winter to late spring. The von Bertalanffy growth model was used to describe the growth of these species with the following parameters, for pooled sexes: P. horkelii L-infinity = 126.93, k = 0.19 and t(0) = -1.51; P. percellens L-infinity = 109.31, k = 0.16 and t(0) = -1.78; Z. brevirostris L-infinity = 60.37, k = 0.24 and t(0) = -1.42. Our results are essential to understanding the resilience and vulnerability of these species to harvest, which can contribute to management and conservation actions of these species. Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Biol Sci, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Florida, Sch Forest Resources & Conservat, Fisheries & Aquat Sci Program, 427 McCarty Hall C,POB 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Marine Ecol & Conservat Lab LABECMar, Santos, Brazil Moss Landing Marine Labs, Pacific Shark Res Ctr, Pob 450, Moss Landing, CA 95039 USA Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Elasmobranch Lab, Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Biol Sci, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Elasmobranch Lab, Sao Paulo, Brazil FAPESP: #2010/02397-7 FAPESP: #2012/00713-4

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:37:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2019-10-09T18:34:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1679-62252019000100209.pdf: 3096853 bytes, checksum: b54e312f2e7cd9d539ef632adf7ef78f (MD5) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) This study provides information on the reproductive biology of the Brazilian blind electric ray Benthobatis kreffli, endemic to southern and southeastern Brazil. Individuals were caught by bottom trawl carried out in 2003 and 2007. at 492-501 m depth off the Sao Paulo State continental slope. A total of 152 females (115-299 mm) and 144 males (91-243 mm) were sampled. Maturity was first observed at 177 and 162 mm, with total length at 50% maturity of 191 and 176 mm in females and males respectively. Uterine fecundity ranged from 1-3 and was not related to female total length. Size at birth estimated from the largest near-term observed embryos and smallest free-swinuning ray was 91-100 nun. The low fecundity observed is typical of deepwater elasmobranch species, as well as late maturity in comparison with costal species. The relatively large size-atbirth suggests that this species invests more in length of each embryo than in litter size, increasing the offspring's survival chance. In this context, these parameters highlight the vulnerability of this and other deepwater species to non-natural death, mostly caused by deep-sea fisheries. Univ Fed Rio Grande, Inst Ciencias Biol, FURG, Av Italia Km 8, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11380972 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil UNESP, Inst Biociencias, Campus Rio Claro,Av 24 A 1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11380972 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil UNESP, Inst Biociencias, Campus Rio Claro,Av 24 A 1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil CAPES: 001 CNPq: 308430/2015-8

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:13:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Palosuojelurahasto Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) No-take marine reserves (NTRs), i.e. areas with total fishing restrictions, have been established worldwide aiming to promote biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Brazil has 3.3% of its exclusive economic zone protected by 73 different NTRs, however, most of them currently lack scientific knowledge and understanding of their ecological role, particularly regarding rocky reefs in subtropical regions. In this context, this study aimed to contrast a network of NTRs with comparable fished sites across a coastal biogeographic gradient to investigate the effect of fishing and habitat variability on the abundance and body size of rocky reef fish. We used Baited Remote Underwater stereo-Video (stereo-BRUVs) and Diver Operated stereo-Video (stereo-DOVs) systems to simultaneously sample reef fish and habitat. Model selection and results identified habitat and biogeographic variables, such as distance from shore, as important predictor variables, explaining several aspects of the fish assemblage. The effect of protection was important in determining the abundance and body size of targeted species, in particular for epinephelids and carangids. Conversely, species richness was correlated with habitat complexity but not with protection status. This is the first study using these survey methods in the Southwestern Atlantic, demonstrating how a network of NTRs can provide benchmarks for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Campus de Rio Claro Laboratório de Pesquisa em Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Campus do Litoral Paulista UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia (UWA) Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha Instituto do Mar Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ciências do Meio Ambiente Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) Campus Três Rios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Campus de Rio Claro Laboratório de Pesquisa em Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Campus do Litoral Paulista Palosuojelurahasto: #1043_20151 CNPq: 308430/2015-8

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T20:09:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-08-20 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Owing to poorly mineralising structures, ageing deep-water elasmobranchs requires unconventional techniques. The aim of the present study was to develop an ageing method for the goblin sharkMitsukurina owstoni(Jordan, 1898) using Alcian blue staining of the vertebral column. One vertebral centrum from a male individual measuring 315.2-cm total length (TL) was aged with a minimum age of 27 years. Using a Bayesian von Bertalanffy growth model informed by back-calculated length at age, a literature search of maximum male TL, the TL of the smallest free-swimming individuals and informative priors, we estimated males grow to 374 cm TL, mature at 16 years and live up to 60 years. Our results provide useful life history information, with the aim of elucidating the cryptic biology of this deep-water shark. Oregon State Univ, Coastal Oregon Marine Expt Stn, 2030 SE Marine Sci Dr, Newport, OR 97365 USA Univ Florida, Sch Forest Resources & Conservat, Fisheries & Aquat Sci Program, 118 Newins Ziegler Hall,POB 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA Moss Landing Marine Labs, Pacific Shark Res Ctr, 8272 Moss Landing Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039 USA Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Marine Ecol & Conservat Lab, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Elasmobranch Lab, Praca Infante Dom Henrique S-N,Parque Bitaru, BR-11380972 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Elasmobranch Lab, Praca Infante Dom Henrique S-N,Parque Bitaru, BR-11380972 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2010/02397-7

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:19:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-09-17 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The age and growth of subtropical populations of the Brazilian and Caribbean sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandiiandR. porosusrespectively) were determined by combining direct and indirect ageing methods, maximising the use of available information. Using vertebrae ageing forR. lalandii, the theoretical maximum length L-infinity and growth coefficientkwere 661.9 mm and 1.14 year(-1)for males and 751.7 mm and 0.59 year(-1)for females. Vertebrae were not sampled forR. porosus. Values ofL(infinity)andkfrom electronic length-frequency analyses (ELEFAN) were 762 mm and 0.71 year(-1)for maleR. lalandii, 791 mm and 0.67 year(-1) for femaleR. lalandii, 1040 mm and 0.41 year(-1)for maleR. porosusand 1165 mm and 0.31 year(-1) for female R. porosus. Growth during the first year of life in relation to birth size was 80.3% for R. lalandiiand 55% forR. porosus. Both species exhibit rapid growth, primarily in the first year of life. The growth estimates forR. lalandii and R. porosus are even faster than those reported in previous studies from tropical populations. Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Oregon State Univ, Coastal Oregon Marine Expt Stn, 2030 SE Marine Sci Dr, Newport, OR 97365 USA Univ Florida, Sch Forest Resources & Conservat, Fisheries & Aquat Sci Program, 118 Newins Ziegler Hall,POB 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA Inst Chico Mendes Conservacao Biodiversidade, Ctr Nacl Pesquisa & Conservacao Biodiversidade Ma, Ave Carlos Ely Castro,195 Ctr, BR-88301445 Itajai, SC, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2012/00713-4 FAPESP: 2010/02397-7

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:23:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-08-19 The movement and activity patterns of the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, a vulnerable species off Brazil, were investigated using mark-recapture and acoustic telemetry at an oceanic insular Marine Protected Area, the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. A total of 93 sharks were captured and tagged, ranging from 82 to 265 cm of total length (TL). Nurse sharks were captured throughout the year, and all life-stages used the insular shelf. Fifteen sharks (16% of the total) were recaptured after periods at liberty ranging from 3.5 h to 705 days, and the distances between tag and recapture locations ranged from 0.07 to 3.5 km. Site fidelity and movements of 10 sharks ranging from 107 to 265 cm TL were investigated for 18 months with an array of automated telemetry receivers. The mean period of detection of the monitored sharks was 66 days, ranging from 13 to 119 days. One individual 158 cm TL was monitored with active tracking for 17 days, with distances between daily locations ranging from 0.84 to 3.32 km, exhibiting movements similar to those of sharks monitored by automated telemetry. Despite remaining motionless or exhibiting short range movements for several hours or days, nurse sharks can be relatively wide-ranging, and protected areas alone cannot be the only conservation measure used to protect this species, which requires a set of protective measures, including fisheries management. Elasmobranch Research Lab, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-970 Natal RN, Brazil College of Fishery Engineering, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, 11900-000 Registro SP, Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:18:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-03-22 A new record of the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the marine environment near the rocky reef of a coastal island in Brazil is described here, being the first published report of a semi-aquatic mammal by baited remote underwater video system. This species is not usually sighted in marine waters away from the mainland coast, and it has never been reported in this environment in this region. This individual may have increased its feeding grounds further offshore as food resources close to the mainland are reduced. Baited videos present a relatively low cost option to understand better these animals existing in different habitats, improving the monitoring for these species and providing valuable information on their distribution, habitat use, and life history. Instituto de Biociências Campus de Rio Claro Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 22A, 1515, Bela Vista Laboratório de Pesquisa em Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Campus do Litoral Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitaru Instituto de Biociências Campus de Rio Claro Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 22A, 1515, Bela Vista Laboratório de Pesquisa em Elasmobrânquios Instituto de Biociências Campus do Litoral Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitaru

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:27:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Elasmobranchs present four clasper movements, which can be seen in different contexts from mating to no obvious reason. Three movements have been reported in Carcharias taurus and here the first occurrence of clasper flaring in this species is described. Clasper flaring was observed while other species were in a reproductive state and their aggressive behaviour towards the subject of this study was also observed. Elasmobranch Research Lab São Paulo State University Coastal Campus of São Vicente São Paulo Aquarium, R. Huet Bacelar, 407 - Vila São José Animal Reproduction Department São Paulo University School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics Elasmobranch Research Lab São Paulo State University Coastal Campus of São Vicente

The hunting tactics of lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris, are described from underwater and cliff-top observations in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, western equatorial Atlantic, Brazil. Two main tactics were observed in the shallow waters of sandy beaches and reefs environments: (i) “substrate inspection” of crevices and holes over rocky and reef bottoms, and (ii) “sardine blitz”, which refer to striking schools of fishes (mainly sardines) in the surf zone. The first tactic was restricted to juveniles up to 2 m of total length, whereas subadult and adult sharks with total length larger than 2 m displayed the second. As lemon sharks use waters less than 5 m depth to hunt, perform social behaviours and predator avoidance, results highlight the importance of properly managing these habitats for their conservation, especially in areas where tourism has increased substantially. RESUMO As táticas de caça do tubarão-limão, Negaprion brevirostris, são descritas a partir de observações subaquáticas e de mirantes no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, no Atlântico ocidental equatorial, Brasil. Duas táticas principais foram observadas em águas rasas de praias arenosas e ambientes recifais: (i) “inspeção do substrato” de fendas e cavidades em fundos recifais e rochosos e (ii) “ataques a sardinhas”, que se referem a ataques repentinos a cardumes de peixes (principalmente sardinhas) na zona de arrebentação. A primeira tática esteve restrita a tubarões jovens com até 2 m de comprimento total, enquanto a segunda foi executada por subadultos e adultos com comprimento total acima de 2 m. Como os tubarões-limão utilizam águas com profundidades inferiores a 5 m para caçar, realizar interações sociais e evitar predadores, os resultados realçam a importância de se manejar adequadamente estes hábitats para sua conservação, especialmente em áreas onde o turismo tem aumentado substancialmente.

Two defensive tactics of neonates of nurse sharks, Ginglymostoma cirratum, are reported based on underwater observations. Described as “hiding behaviour” and “substrate resemblance”, the defensive strategies were categorized according to the predominant habitat in which the individuals were found and to the behaviour displayed by the sharks in the presence of the observer. In structurally more complex habitats with a wide availability of shelters, the preferential behaviour displayed by neonates is to hide inside holes or crevices. When in open areas deprived of refuges, neonates tend to resemble arborescent coverings as seaweed banks or colonies of octocorals, which allows the use of more exposed habitats without increasing the susceptibility of capture by predators. Both aspects are relevant for a better understanding of the behaviour of neonates of G. cirratum and have important implications for identifying important habitat in nursery areas, and also for the management of this vulnerable species off South America.

In this paper we tested the hypothesis that potamotrygonid stingrays are expanding their distribution to novel areas via artificial passages constructed for river navigation in the Upper Parana River basin, Southeastern Brazil. Individuals of Potamotrygon falkneri and Potamotrygon motoro were captured, fitted externally with t-bar anchor tags, and released downstream of the Jupia Dam – a hydro power plant constructed in the 1970s that has no fish pass system, but had a navigation lock installed in 1998 for the movement of ships. A total of 182 stingrays were marked, and recaptures of individuals of both species occurred within a period of two to 12 months after the first capture, with recapture rates around 5% for P. falkneri (n=6) and 3% for P. motoro (n=2). Two individuals of P. falkneri were recaptured upstream of the Jupia Dam, about eight kilometers from the first capture site. This fact attests to the ability of stingrays to overcome artificial barriers such as hydro power plants through navigation locks. The Upper Parana River basin is densely populated, so the spread of potamotrygonids will increase the risk of injury from stingrays’ barbs. Their use of navigation locks is relevant for management actions, including reducing the risk of human-stingray interactions.

A new Southwestern Atlantic species of Parmaturus, P. angelae, new species, is described from two specimens captured off Brazil. It is distinguished from congeners by the following characters: origin of the first dorsal fin anterior to pelvic-fin origin, presence of well-developed upper and lower caudal crests of denticles, dorsal fins subequal, lateral denticles teardrop-shaped and lacking lateral cusplets, denticles evenly spaced, proportional dimensions, and vertebral counts. Parmaturus angelae, new species, is the second species of the genus reported from the Atlantic Ocean and only the third species outside of the Indo-West Pacific region. Parmaturus remains rather poorly defined as only two species have been studied anatomically in any detail.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:33:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 The Rio skate Rioraja agassizii is a threatened endemic skate species frequently caught as bycatch in the western South Atlantic. However, there is no biological information about its age and growth parameters, which would be necessary to provide science-based information for the development of management strategies for this species. The aim of the present study was to provide information about the age and growth parameters of R. agassizii. In all, 138 vertebrae from individuals ranging in size from 9.0 to 53.2-cm total length (TL) were analysed. The edge analysis indicated a trend for annual band deposition in the vertebrae. Maximum ages estimated for males and females were 6 and 10 years respectively. Akaike's information criterion indicated that the modified two-parameter form of the von Bertalanffy growth function (using length at birth L-0 = 9.0 cm TL) provided the best fit, with derived parameters of theoretical maximum length L-infinity = 49.6 cm TL and growth coefficient k = 0.27 for males and L-infinity = 59.0 cm TL and k = 0.22 for females. Our results are important to understanding the resilience of this skate species to harvest, which can contribute to the development of fisheries management strategies and conservation programs. Univ Florida, Florida Museum Nat Hist, Florida Program Shark Res, 1659 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA Fundacao Univ Fed Rio Grande, Inst Oceanog, Lab Ecol Paisagem Costeira, Ave Italia Quilometro 8, BR-96201900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonca,144 Encruzilhada, BR-11070100 Santos, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11380972 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11380972 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil

Similar to many small, range-restricted elasmobranchs, the Brazilian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) is listed as ‘data deficient’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Data on stock assessment and sustainability are scarce, and there is no information on population structure. This constitutes a management problem because this shark comprises approximately 50% of the catch of small coastal sharks in Brazil. In this study, populations of R. lalandii distributed from the Caribbean to southern Brazil were investigated using sequences from the mitochondrial DNA control region. Analysis of molecular variance revealed strong structuring between population samples from the Caribbean and those from the Brazilian coast (ФST = 0.254, P

The reproductive biology of the guitarfish Rhinobatos percellens was studied from 751 specimens caught by bottom pair trawlers off the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, between c. 24° 00' S; 45° 15' W and c. 25° 10' S; 47° 52' W, from September 2007 to August 2009. The total length (L(T)) and total mass (M(T)) relationship for males and females combined was M(T) = 1·29E-06 L(T) (3·15) (r = 0·99, n = 751). The mean L(T) of sexually mature specimens was 548 mm for males and 583 mm for females. Clasper growth was allometric and showed three distinct phases. Most claspers were calcified in specimens of c. 550 mm L(T). The mean diameter of the largest oocyte was 29·8 mm, the mean ovarian fecundity was seven oocytes and ovulation occurred between August and November. Uterine fecundity ranged from two to 13 embryos (mean of five embryos). Larger females had higher litter sizes and larger embryos; the size-at-birth was c. 200 mm L(T). The hepato-somatic index oscillated seasonally for males and females; the gonado-somatic index had little variation in males, but varied seasonally in females. The presence of many non-pregnant adult females and of encapsulated eggs during two consecutive seasons suggests a resting period between gestations and the possibility of diapause.

A cryptic lineage of hammerhead shark closely related to but evolutionarily distinct from the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) was recently documented in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Here, we demonstrate using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences that this cryptic lineage also occurs in the western South Atlantic Ocean, extending its distribution >7,000 km from its only previously reported location. Our results also further validate the existence of this evolutionarily distinct hammerhead shark lineage. The southern hemisphere cryptic individuals were 1.6 and 5.8% divergent from S. lewini (sensu stricto) for the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial control region loci, respectively, and formed a strongly supported, reciprocally monophyletic sister group to sympatric S. lewini. Coalescent analysis (ITS2 locus) yielded a divergence estimate of ~4.5 million years between S. lewini and the cryptic lineage. Given expanding concerns about overfishing of the large-bodied hammerhead sharks, this cryptic lineage needs to be formally recognized and incorporated into shark management and conservation planning to avoid the inadvertent, potential extirpation of a unique hammerhead lineage.

Sharks of the genus Rhizoprionodon are among the most important predators along the coastal marine ecosystems, and they represent an important economic resource for the small-scale fisheries. To properly manage and conserve exploited shark species, detailed analyses of their population structure are needed. To evaluate the gene flow and levels of the genetic diversity among populations of the Caribbean sharpnose shark R. porosus, we identified the nucleotide sequence based on collections (n = 321 specimens) from 10 different areas, including the Caribbean Sea and several locations along the entire Brazilian coast. The analysis of 802 nucleotides from the mitochondrial DNA control region revealed 53 distinct haplotypes. The majority of these haplotypes were restricted to their collection locales with a significant genetic structure detected among the overall populations (Φ ST = 0.237, P

Despite Springer’s (1964) revision of the sharpnose sharks (genus Rhizoprionodon), the taxonomic definition and ranges of Rhizoprionodon in the western Atlantic Ocean remains problematic. In particular, the distinction between Rhizoprionodon terraenovae and R. porosus, and the occurrence of R. terraenovae in South American waters are unresolved issues involving common and ecologically important species in need of fishery management in Caribbean and southwest Atlantic waters. In recent years, molecular markers have been used as efficient tools for the detection of cryptic species and to address controversial taxonomic issues. In this study 415 samples of the genus Rhizoprionodon captured in the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to southern Brazil were examined for sequences of the COI gene and the D-loop and evaluated for nucleotide differences. The results on nucleotide composition, AMOVA tests, and relationship distances using Bayesian-likelihood method and haplotypes network, corroborates Springer’s (1964) morphometric and meristic finding and provide strong evidence that supports consideration of R. terraenovae and R. porosus as distinct species. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Corresponding author: rochaf_bio@yahoo.com.br The elasmobranch Rajidae family, known usually as skates, is the most numerous group among cartilaginous fishes, having almost 245 species with very conservative morphology (EBERT and COMPAGNO, 2007). Elasmobranch egg capsules are widely recognised as important in species identification and provide relevant information concerning their reproductive biology (ODDONE et al. , 2004). The genus Psammobatis GUNTHER, 1870 comprises eight species, four of them recorded in Brazil (PARAGO, 2001): P. extenta (GARMAN, 1913), P. rutrum JORDAN, 1890, P. bergi MARINI, 1932, and P. lentiginosa (BIGELOW and SCHROEDER, 1953). Psammobatis extenta , the little skate, is endemic to the continental shelf of the western South Atlantic, ranging from Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (22°56’S) to Patagonia, Argentina (~ 45°S) (PARAGO, 2001). Recent studies of P. extenta have focused mainly on its reproduction, morphology and feeding habits (BRACCINI and PEREZ, 2005; BRACCINI and CHIARAMONTE, 2002a; 2002b) and detailed information concerning its egg capsules is lacking. Only the egg capsules of P. scobina (PHILIPPI, 1857), from the Southeastern Pacific, have been accurately described (CONCHA et al. , 2009); short descriptions of the egg capsules of P. rudis , P. normani and P. bergi have been presented with their reproductive biology (MABRAGANA and COUSSEAU, 2004 and SAN MARTIN et al. , 2005). The present study describes the egg capsules of Psammobatis extenta , a small common rajid species of the western South Atlantic. Sixty-one egg capsules were removed directly from the 35 female Psammobatis extenta oviduct, thus avoiding species misidentification. The females were collected by bottom trawlers on the Sao Paulo continental shelf, at 30 to 50 m depths (between 24°12’S; 46°04’ W and 24°08’S; 46°50’W), during 2002, except in autumn. The general morphology, color, texture, presence and number of eggs, presence and position of attachment fibrils, presence and shape of velum and keel and finally, presence, position and shape of ventilation fissures were all recorded. The measurements taken were: capsule length (without horns), maximum width, anterior and posterior horn lengths, capsule height, and thickness and width of lateral keel. Both the terminology and morphometrics follow TEMPLEMAN (1982), ODDONE et al. (2004) and TREOLAR et al. (2006). Only fully developed capsules were used in the calculations made and the terms ‘anterior’/‘posterior’ and ‘dorsal’/‘ventral’ refer to the position of the egg capsules in the female oviduct (TEMPLEMAN, 1982). Capsules were fixed in formalin and preserved in 70% ethanol. The total length of the females was measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. Differences between anterior and posterior horn lengths and between right and left egg capsules were verified with Student´s t-test and the relationship between the females´ total length and the body length of the capsules was investigated by linear regression (SOKAL and ROHLF, 1995). The capsule measurements are presented in Table 1. Only one egg capsule was found in each female’s oviduct and just one egg was found per capsule. Almost 75% of the gravid females had capsules in both oviducts and when only one capsule was present, it was in the left oviduct (except for one female, which had developing horns on the right shell gland). The fully developed egg capsules are rectangular, with a horny process on each corner and a brownish copper in color (Fig. 1). The capsule walls are symmetrically convex, with the highest point situated centrally. Both capsule walls present a

Nowadays, because of the constant increase in the capture and trade of sharks all over the world and reports of several species already showing important signs of over-exploitation, the establishment of registration mechanisms, evaluation and fishery control become urgent. Morphological identification of captured sharks is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, due to the removal of the animals’ parts. At this point, techniques of genetic identification through the molecular markers are considered essential tools for fishery monitoring. In this study, we present a method of multiplex-PCR, based on the gene Cytochrome Oxidase I, with species-specific primers developed for simultaneous identification of nine species of lamniform and carcharhiniform sharks, some of which are worldwide distributed.

The RFLP represents a fast and non-expensive tool to access species identification and can be used by fishery and law enforcement authorities to gather data from legal and illegal ray fisheries. In the present study, partial sequences of 16S and COI mitochondrial genes were submitted to RFLP analysis and the results showed that there is a high interspecific variability and no intraspecific polymorphism, making them an useful marker for guitarfish identification. All samples of Rhinobatidae: Rhinobatos percellens, R. horkelli, and Zapteryx brevirostris were positively identified. The main contribution of these forensic identification techniques is the possibility of evaluating population genetics of species status in order to improve conservation plans involving these species.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:42:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S1676-06032009000300004.pdf: 336166 bytes, checksum: 494bad2e5b3c6a977bdeaf682399badf (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:42:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S1676-06032009000300004.pdf: 336166 bytes, checksum: 494bad2e5b3c6a977bdeaf682399badf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:30:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1676-06032009000300004.pdf: 336166 bytes, checksum: 494bad2e5b3c6a977bdeaf682399badf (MD5) S1676-06032009000300004.pdf.txt: 28674 bytes, checksum: 03d5a4804db9746836ffdc9812c9a104 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:12:19Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S1676-06032009000300004.pdf: 336166 bytes, checksum: 494bad2e5b3c6a977bdeaf682399badf (MD5) S1676-06032009000300004.pdf.txt: 28674 bytes, checksum: 03d5a4804db9746836ffdc9812c9a104 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:12:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1676-06032009000300004.pdf: 336166 bytes, checksum: 494bad2e5b3c6a977bdeaf682399badf (MD5) S1676-06032009000300004.pdf.txt: 28674 bytes, checksum: 03d5a4804db9746836ffdc9812c9a104 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Estômagos de 222 tubarões-azuis coletados ao longo da costa brasileira foram analisados, sendo 116 da região nordeste e 106 da região sul. Um total de 51 táxons de presas foram identificados. Os itens mais importantes na região sul foram baleias Mysticeti, teleósteos, o peixe gempilídeo Ruvettus pretiosus e o nomeídeo Arioma bondi. Cefalópodes foram mais diversos, com preferência pelas espécies migradoras verticais Histioteuthis spp., Cranchiidae e o polvo epipelágico Ocythoe tuberculata. Na região nordeste, o tubarão-azul consumiu principalmente teleósteos, incluindo o peixe alepisaurídeo Alepisaurus ferox e o gempilídeo Gempylus serpens. Entre os cefalópodes, Histioteuthis spp. e o polvo epipelágico Tremoctopus violaceus foram os itens principais. Predação sobre cardumes foi ocasional, como observada para Arioma bondi. Aves também foram consumidas em ambas as regiões. Puffinus gravis foi o quinto item mais freqüente na região nordeste. Durante o ciclo migratório reprodutivo, o tubarão-azul costuma predar nas adjacências da termoclina, que é mais profunda na região nordeste e mais perto da superfície na região sul. Stomachs from 222 blue sharks collected along the Brazilian coast were analyzed - 116 from the northeastern region and 106 from the southern region. A total of 51 prey taxa were identified. The most important prey items in the southern region were Mysticeti whales, teleosteans, the gempylid Ruvettus pretiosus and the nomeid Arioma bondi. Cephalopods were more diverse, with dominance of vertical migrants Histioteuthis spp., Cranchiidae and the epipelagic octopus Ocythoe tuberculata. In the northeastern region, blue sharks consumed mainly teleosteans, including the alepisaurid Alepisaurus ferox and the gempylid Gempylus serpens. Among cephalopods, Histioteuthis spp. and the epipelagic octopus Tremoctopus violaceus were the dominant items. Predation upon schooling prey was occasional, as observed on Arioma bondi. Birds also were consumed in both regions; Puffinus gravis was the fifth most frequent item in the northeastern region. During the reproductive migration cycle, blue sharks likely prey in the thermocline, which is deeper in the northeastern region and closer to the surface in the southern region. Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Biologia Marinha Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) Departamento de Pesca Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Biologia Marinha

Summary Size-related and seasonal evaluation of the dietary composition of fat snook (Centropomus parallelus Poey 1860) in the upper sector of an estuary of the southeastern coast of Brazil were carried out based on stomach analyses of specimens ranging from 40 to 170 mm standard length. Results reveal that C. parallelus is a carnivorous species feeding mainly on benthic crustaceans. Relatively high stomach replenishment suggests that this environment is an important feeding ground for fat snook juveniles. Multivariate analyses indicated that predator size effect is significantly more important than seasonal variation in determining dietary composition. Predator length was associated with increased consumption of palaemonid shrimps (Macrobrachium spp.) and grapsid crabs, and decreased foraging on tanaids (Kalliapseudes schubarti), thus showing a preference shift from smaller to larger prey. Predator length was also positively associated with an increase in the stomach repletion index. Additionally, allometric growth of both gape and head were consistently correlated with this ontogenetic dietary transition, suggesting that such changes might be related to an individual’s ability to capture and consume larger, more elusive prey. The digestive tube is short and grows isometrically, which is in accordance with the carnivorous habit of this estuarine fish and its maintenance through ontogeny.

A molecular approach based on nuclear 5S rDNA sequence variability was applied successfully to correctly identify samples from the two Rhizoprionodon species collected in the wild or sold in markets. The sequence of the non-transcribed spacer (NTS) of the 5S rDNA showed high interspecific variability and no intraspecific polymorphism, making it a useful marker for sharpnose shark identification. Polymorphisms in the NTS sequences of Rhizoprionodon sharks also created unique restriction patterns for each species after PCR-RFLP analysis. The 5S rDNA polymorphism represents a fast and non expensive tool to access species identification when rapid and unequivocal identification of shark products is needed, particularly for future management and other investigations.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T19:05:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S1415-47572008000200033.pdf: 92287 bytes, checksum: 7e5a3d17fb8a6480823403a896f452e4 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T19:05:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S1415-47572008000200033.pdf: 92287 bytes, checksum: 7e5a3d17fb8a6480823403a896f452e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T20:08:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1415-47572008000200033.pdf: 92287 bytes, checksum: 7e5a3d17fb8a6480823403a896f452e4 (MD5) S1415-47572008000200033.pdf.txt: 25106 bytes, checksum: 0b5a624e186947917e5e8165e2f3a23a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:51:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S1415-47572008000200033.pdf: 92287 bytes, checksum: 7e5a3d17fb8a6480823403a896f452e4 (MD5) S1415-47572008000200033.pdf.txt: 25106 bytes, checksum: 0b5a624e186947917e5e8165e2f3a23a (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:51:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1415-47572008000200033.pdf: 92287 bytes, checksum: 7e5a3d17fb8a6480823403a896f452e4 (MD5) S1415-47572008000200033.pdf.txt: 25106 bytes, checksum: 0b5a624e186947917e5e8165e2f3a23a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Sharks are suffering from intensive exploitation by worldwide fisheries leading to a severe decline in several populations in the last decades. The lack of biological data on a species-specific basis, associated with a k-strategist life history make it difficult to correctly manage and conserve these animals. The aim of the present study was to develop a DNA-based procedure to discriminate shark species by means of a rapid, low cost and easily applicable PCR analysis based on 5S rDNA repeat units amplification, in order to contribute conservation management of these animals. The generated agarose electrophoresis band patterns allowed to unequivocally distinguish eight shark species. The data showed for the first time that a simple PCR is able to discriminate elasmobranch species. The described 5S rDNA PCR approach generated species-specific genetic markers that should find broad application in fishery management and trade of sharks and their subproducts. Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Morfologia Universidade Estadual Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Genética Universidad de Oriente Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Morfologia Universidade Estadual Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Genética