Isotopic, trace element and nutrient characterization of coastal waters from Ubatuba inner shelf area, south-eastern Brazil

This study presents new information on feeding habits of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, in south-eastern Brazil, together with new regression equations to evaluate the weight and length of fish from otoliths, showing an overview on the knowledge about this species’ diet in this area. Eighteen stomach contents had been analysed and compared to 180 samples collected in another eight feeding studies. The analysed specimens were either incidentally caught in gillnets used in coastal waters by the fleet based in the Cananéia main harbour (25°00′S 47°55′W), south of São Paulo State, or found dead in inner waters of the Cananéia estuary between 2003 and 2009. Based on the index of relative importance analysis, the most important fish species were the banded croaker, Paralonchurus brasiliensis. Doryteuthis plei was the most representative cephalopod species. Stellifer rastrifer was the most important fish species observed in dolphins in inner estuarine waters and P. brasiliensis in recovered dolphins from coastal waters. Loliguncula brevis is the only cephalopod species reported from dolphins found in inner estuarine waters up to date. Doryteuthis plei was the most important cephalopod species observed in coastal dolphins. When considering other feeding studies, the most representative fish family in the diet of S. guianensis was Sciaenidae, which is mainly represented by demersal fishes. The main preys of S. guianensis are abundant in the studied areas, which may indicate an opportunistic feeding habit. The majority of them are not the most important target species by the commercial fishery in south-eastern Brazil.

Download Full-text

Characterization of Energy Gradient in Enclosed Bays of Ubatuba Region, South-eastern Brazil

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science ◽

10.1006/ecss.1998.0368 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 431-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

M.M. de Mahiques ◽

M.G. Tessler ◽

V.V. Furtado

Keyword(s):

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Energy Gradient

Download Full-text

Trophic ecology and foraging areas of cetaceans sampled in the coastal waters of south-eastern Brazil assessed through skin δ13C and δ15N

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315421000217 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Victor Uber Paschoalini ◽

Genyffer Cibele Troina ◽

Laura Busin Campos ◽

Marcos César de Oliveira Santos

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Coastal Waters ◽

Trophic Ecology ◽

Trophic Position ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Eastern Coast ◽

Cetacean Species ◽

Δ13c And Δ15n ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Brazil

Abstract We investigated the habitat use and feeding ecology of 10 cetacean species encountered along the south-eastern coast of Brazil (24–26°S) using carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes. Hierarchical cluster analysis distinguished two main groups based on their isotopic patterns. One group included migratory baleen whales (Megaptera novaeangliae and Eubalaena australis) with the lowest δ13C and δ15N values, reflecting baseline isotopic values of their Subantarctic feeding grounds and consumption of lower trophic level prey. Resident species and those occasionally occurring in Brazilian coastal waters highly differed from the migratory whales in their isotopic values. In this group, Tursiops truncatus had the highest δ13C and δ15N values, indicating coastal habits and relatively higher trophic position. Similar δ13C values were observed in Sotalia guianensis, Pontoporia blainvillei, Orcinus orca and Steno bredanensis. However, the former two species had lower δ15N values than the latter two, indicating different trophic positions. The relatively lower δ13C values observed in Stenella frontalis suggest greater influence of pelagic prey in their diet. Furthermore, the lower δ13C values observed in Delphinus delphis and Balaenoptera edeni were associated with upwelling events that occur along the region, affecting the isotopic values of their main prey. Juvenile M. novaeangliae had higher δ13C and δ15N than the adults, which may indicate feeding in areas with different isoscapes and consumption of pelagic schooling fish with relatively higher trophic levels than krill. This study provides preliminary information that are useful to understand the habitat use and coexistence of cetacean species occurring in south-eastern Brazil.

Download Full-text

Predicting the Dispersal and Accumulation of Microplastic Pellets Within the Estuarine and Coastal Waters of South-Eastern Brazil Using Integrated Rainfall Data and Lagrangian Particle Tracking Models

Frontiers in Environmental Science ◽

10.3389/fenvs.2020.559405 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Gorman ◽

Alina R. Gutiérrez ◽

Alexander Turra ◽

Aruanã B. Manzano ◽

Danilo Balthazar-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Tracking ◽

Coastal Waters ◽

Rainfall Data ◽

Lagrangian Particle Tracking ◽

Lagrangian Particle ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Brazil

Download Full-text

Strandings and feeding records of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in south-eastern Brazil

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315404010082h ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 857-859 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Salvatore Siciliano ◽

Marcos César de Oliveira Santos ◽

André F.C. Vicente ◽

Fernando S. Alvarenga ◽

Émerson Zampirolli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coastal Waters ◽

East Coast ◽

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

South Eastern ◽

Coryphaena Hippurus ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Sula Leucogaster ◽

Feeding Activities ◽

Marine Vertebrates ◽

Janeiro State

Information on Balaenoptera edeni strandings along the Brazilian south-east coast and feeding associations with other marine vertebrates are reported. A total of 19 strandings were observed from 1972 to 2003 along ≈1200 km of coast. Strandings were evenly distributed among seasons with no distinguishable peaks. Besides the stranding data, opportunistic observations on Bryde's whales engaged in feeding activities were reported from nine cruises along São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro State coasts (22–24°S). Bryde's whales were observed preying on Brazilian sardines (Sardinella brasiliensis) in at least three events, and possibly two others. Associations with other marine vertebrates were observed, and included dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), unidentified sharks, terns (Sterna hirundinacea, Sterna spp.), brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), frigate birds (Fregata magnificens), parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius cf. parasiticus), albatrosses (Thalassarche spp.), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Stranding data and on-board observations support the hypothesis that Bryde's whales are common in coastal waters of south-eastern Brazil.

Download Full-text