Are the fish distribution patterns in an open coastal lagoon in the subtropical west Atlantic influenced by spatial and seasonal variations?

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the spatial-temporal variations of the fish fauna in an open coastal lagoon. Fish were collected in Lagoa da Conceição, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, totaling 19 sampling months between October 1987 and November 1989. Sampling took place at 7 sites, and in each of them cast net throws of different meshes, ‘puçá’ handheld fishing net, beach seine fishing net, and manual fishing hooks were used. A total of 8,299 individuals were collected, classified into 61 species belonging to 28 fish families, totaling 52,902.4 g. Regarding stay in the lagoon, 48 species (80%) were classified as visitors and the other 12 were residents. Significant differences were observed between seasons (n, biomass, species richness, and H’Loge), between areas (n and species richness), and in the interactions between the factors season and area (n and biomass). Data on fish fauna reinforce the ecological significance of the coastal lagoon environment as a nursery and feeding area, since most species are at recruitment stages within Lagoa da Conceição.

Keywords

• Fish fauna
• Lagoon
• Spatial-temporal variation