Abstract: Numerous studies have quantified microplastics in biological and environmental samples in recent years, but contamination by airborne microplastic particles during laboratory analysis remains an unsettling possibility. We designed and tested a protocol to minimize airborne contamination during the screening of samples in laboratory conditions in order to increase the level of certainty that microplastics counted really comes from samples. Despite the care and default measures in laboratory routine, some airborne contamination in blanks was found (3.8%) at the beginning of sample screenings. After introducing more stringent procedures on our airborne contamination control protocol (ACC Protocol), a highly significant (p<0.0001) reduction was registered (1.1%). Thus, we prove that the use of a more stringent protocol should be an essential part of future studies quantifying microplastics in any samples. This study concludes that a protocol with simple, low-cost, but stringent measures can reduce airborne microplastic contamination, being applicable to any laboratory setting.

Resumo O estuário do Rio Paraíba, maior e mais importante do estado da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil, sofre intensa degradação ambiental pela população humana no seu entorno, e possivelmente várias espécies de peixes estão ameaçadas neste habitat. Nós apresentamos uma lista de espécies de peixes capturadas neste estuário, com base em espécimes tombados na coleção da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Quatro ordens de Chondrichthyes e 26 ordens de Osteichthyes foram identificadas. Um total de 187 espécies de peixes foi registrado, incluindo oito espécies de Chondrichthyes e 179 Osteichthyes, com 123 gêneros e 57 famílias. Em relação à riqueza, Perciformes dominou com 32 espécies, seguido por Acanthuriformes e Clupeiformes. Comparando estuários ao longo do nordeste brasileiro e considerando nosso longo período de amostragens, seria esperada uma riqueza maior. De acordo com a lista vermelha da IUCN, Urotrygon microphthalmum é tida como Criticamente Ameaçada e mais sete espécies são classificadas como Vulnerável: Rhizoprionodon porosus, Rhinoptera bonasus, Megalops atlanticus, Epinephelus itajara, Hyporthodus niveatus, Lutjanus cyanopterus e Cynoscion acoupa. Três dessas espécies também aparecem na mesma categoria na lista brasileira de espécies ameaçadas, tendo todas elas, suas populações em declínio. Em relação aos Elasmobranchii, Carcharhinus porosus é listada como Criticamente Ameaçada em nosso país e globalmente. Esse inventário abrange e organiza o conhecimento acerca da comunidade de peixes que ocorre nesse importante ecossistema, com inferências sobre hábitos de vida, guildas ecológicas e status de conservação das espécies de peixes.

Abstract The Paraiba River estuary is the largest and most important estuary of Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. It is under intense environmental degradation by the surrounding human population, and possibly several fish species are at risk in this habitat. Scientific sampling of the ichthyofauna started in the late 1970’s and proceeded until recently. We present a list of fish species captured in this estuary, based on voucher specimens housed at the Federal University of Paraiba collection. Four orders of Chondrichthyes and 26 orders of Osteichthyes were identified. A total of 187 fish species, including eight species of Chondrichthyes and 179 Osteichthyes, with 123 genera and 57 families were identified. Perciformes dominated in terms of richness (32 species), followed by Acanthuriformes and Clupeiformes. Comparing estuaries along the Brazilian northeastern coast and considering our large time sampling span, a higher richness would be expected. According to the IUCN Red List, Urotrygon microphthalmum is considered Critically Endangered and more seven species are classified as Vulnerable: Rhizoprionodon porosus, Rhinoptera bonasus, Megalops atlanticus, Epinephelus itajara, Hyporthodus niveatus, Lutjanus cyanopterus, and Cynoscion acoupa. Three of these species also appear in the same category in the threatened Brazilian list, all of which have declining population trends. Concerning the Elasmobranchii, Carcharhinus porosus is listed as Critically Endangered in our country and globally. This inventory organizes and broadens knowledge on the fish community that occurs in this important ecosystem, with inferences about life habits, ecological guilds and conservation status of the fish species.

The present study investigated the reproductive biology of Sciades herzbergii in the Paraíba do Norte River Estuary, Brazil. We aimed to characterize the reproduction of the species with respect to sex ratio, spawning season, condition factor and length at first maturity. Specimens were captured between August 2009 and July 2010 in a stretch of the main channel of the estuary. In the laboratory, they were measured, weighed and macroscopically classified with regard to sex and gonad development stage, and their gonads were weighted. The monthly distribution of the sexes and their respective stages of maturation were determined. The gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (K) and the length at first maturity were calculated for males and females. The sex ratio was determined monthly and throughout the entire study period and the chi-square test was used to evaluate if the sex ratio differed from 1:1. The Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the correlation between GSI and K values. A total of 260 individuals were captured. It was impossible to determine the sex of 32 individuals, possibly due to their young age. The sex ratio did not differ throughout the overall study period, but significant differences were found in December and May, with a predominance of females, and in March, when males predominated. Spawning activities were concentrated between December and March, as determined by the greater incidence of mature females and higher GSI values. The spawning of the S. herzbergii population is characterized as staggered due to its long duration. For females, K values were not significantly correlated with the GSI, but the decrease in K values in the spawning period indicates that energy is being spent in reproduction. With regard to males, the distribution of developmental stages did not follow the same clear pattern as that seen with females. However, the GSI indicated a greater investment in gonads in October, with a decrease up to July (end of the data acquisition period). For males, K values exhibited a positive correlation with GSI, with a gradual decrease beginning in February up to July, indicating energy that energy was being consumed, which was certainly related to the mouth brooding of eggs and neonates. Mean length at first maturity was 212 mm for females and 240 mm for males. Sciades herzbergii completes its lifecycle in the estuary and exhibits post-spawning parental care. This species is abundant in the estuary studied and information on the reproductive biology of this resident is necessary to the management of the estuarine environment.

Estrutura e organização das assembléias de peixes de águas rasas (<1,5 m) foram estudadas em dois ecossistemas sul-brasileiros sob influências marinhas ou continentais, uma laguna e uma baía. Dados abióticos foram obtidos para definir a hidrologia dos locais, e descritores bióticos foram avaliados para caracterizar a estrutura das assembléias. Transparência, salinidade e matéria orgânica melhor distinguem os locais. Foram capturadas 69 espécies distribuídas em três guildas ecológicas. Descritores como densidade, diversidade e equitabilidade foram diferentes em cada local. Hidrodinamismo e geomorfologia determinaram a estrutura e a organização das assembléias de peixes nestas águas rasas. Observou-se que variações nos atributos hidrológicos gerados por aportes marinhos ou continentais podem alterar mais rapidamente, e em freqüências mais regulares, as condições na lagoa do que aquelas na baía.

The general structure and organization of the shallow water (<1.5 m) fish assemblages were studied in two southern Brazilian ecosystems, a bay and a lagoon, under different marine or continental influences. The abiotic factors were measured to define the hydrology of the sites and the biotic descriptors were evaluated to characterize the assemblage structures. Transparency, salinity and organic matter were the abiotic factors which best distinguished the sites. A total richness of 69 species was observed. Ecological guilds, density, diversity and evenness indices values were different at each site. The hydrodynamism and geomorphology determined the structure and the organization of the fish assemblages in these shallow waters. It was observed that the variations in the hydrological attributes generated by the marine or continental water movements were able to alter the conditions in the lagoon more quickly and at more regular frequencies than those in the bay.

Este artigo apresenta os resultados do primeiro estudo sobre a alimentação natural de Hippocampus reidi, uma das espécies de cavalos-marinhos mais intensamente comercializadas pelo mercado aquarista. Seus principais objetivos foram descrever os itens alimentares e categorias de presas consumidos pela espécie e fornecer informações acerca da estratégia alimentar e dos componentes inter e intra-individuais para a largura de nicho. As amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente por meio de busca intensiva, entre outubro de 2005 e setembro de 2006, no estuário do rio Mamanguape, Paraíba, onde os cavalos marinhos foram marcados, anestesiados com óleo de cravo e submetidos à técnica da lavagem estomacal. Para cada cavalo-marinho registrou-se a altura, sexo, estágio de vida e estado reprodutivo. Após a coleta de dados, todos os cavalos-marinhos foram devolvidos ao mesmo local onde haviam sido encontrados e o material obtido através da lavagem foi identificado, em laboratório, até o menor nível taxonômico possível, com o auxílio de especialistas. Os itens alimentares foram descritos através de freqüência de ocorrência, abundância relativa, índice de preponderância e abundância específica; já a estratégia alimentar e contribuição para a largura de nicho foram descritos através do método de Amundsen. Os principais itens encontrados foram nematodos e crustáceos, não tendo sido encontradas diferenças entre os itens consumidos e o estado reprodutivo dos cavalos marinhos. Entretanto, verificou-se que exemplares de maior porte consumiram uma maior proporção de itens grandes. Os resultados sugerem que H. reidi apresenta uma estratégia alimentar generalista e com alta variação entre os fenótipos. Nossos resultados sugerem que a técnica da lavagem estomacal pode vir a representar uma ferramenta útil em estudos acerca de cavalos-marinhos.

This paper presents the results of the first analysis of the natural diet of Hippocampus reidi, one of the most sought after seahorse species in the international aquarium trade. Its main goals were to investigate food items and prey categories consumed by the species, and to discuss feeding strategy and inter and intra-individual components of niche breadth. Data were gathered from October 2005 to September 2006 at the Mamanguape estuary, State of Paraíba, NE Brazil. Food items from seahorses anaesthetized with clove oil were obtained by using a modified version of the flushing method, and were counted and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Specimens were marked and had their height, sex, life and reproductive stage recorded, and then returned to the same place where they were found for the further assessment of anaesthetization/gut flushing on seahorses. Food items were analyzed using frequency of occurrence, relative abundance, index of preponderance and prey-specific abundance using the points method. The graphic method of Amundsen et al. (1996) was used to interpret the feeding strategy and contribution to niche breadth. Nematodes and crustaceans were the most important items found, the latter item usually being the most commonly found in the gut contents of syngnathids. No significant differences in diet composition were found between reproductive stages, however, a higher proportion of large items were consumed by the larger seahorses. The feeding strategy and niche breadth analysis suggests that H. reidi has a generalist feeding strategy, with high variation between phenotypes. Our results suggest that the anaesthetization-flushing technique has the potential to be a useful tool in seahorse research.

Estudou-se a composição da dieta de peixes em dois tipos de ambiente de áreas rasas estuarinas - marisma e manguezal, objetivando avaliar se essas formações vegetais desencadeiam na ictiofauna respostas diferentes quanto à alimentação. As seis espécies avaliadas, as mais abundantes nessas áreas, mostraram-se predominantemente planctívoras, porém com particularidades quanto ao tipo de vegetação ocupada. Na marisma, Atherinella brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) apresentou a dieta com maior número de itens e menor similaridade em relação às demais espécies. No manguezal tal isolamento coube a Anchoa januaria (Steindachner, 1879), espécie com maior participação de Decapoda Brachyura e Decapoda não-Brachyura, e única que nesse ambiente incluiu Gammaridae na dieta. Anchoviella lepidentostole (Fowler, 1911) identificou-se com Anchoa lyolepis (Evermann & Marsh, 1900) na marisma e com Opisthonema oglinum (Le Sueur, 1818) e Harengula clupeola (Cuvier, 1829) no manguezal. Uma situação comum a marisma e manguezal registrou-se entre O. oglinum e H. clupeola, espécies com dietas praticamente restritas a Diatomacea e Copepoda. Evidenciou-se o quanto as espécies são capazes de variar sua dieta com o ambiente, provavelmente em resposta à disponibilidade local. Mais que isso, porém, constatou-se que, seja na marisma, seja no manguezal, mesmo havendo mudança nos hábitos tróficos das espécies, cada uma delas mantém um padrão de diferenças em relação às demais que compõem a assembléia, fato que possivelmente assegura a abundância e coexistência entre elas nas áreas estuarinas rasas.

Diet of fish inhabiting shallow waters close to salt marshes and mangroves was analyzed in order to evaluate how different the influence of these environments on fish feeding habits is. The six studied species, the most abundant in these areas, are mainly planctyvores, however they showed particularities in each area. In salt marshes Atherinella brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) presented the largest number of food items and the lowest value of similarity regarding other species. In mangroves these attributes were presented by Anchoa januaria (Steindachner, 1879), the main species to feed on Brachyura and non-Brachyura Decapoda, and the only one in this area that includes Gammaridae in its diet. Anchoviella lepidentostole (Fowler, 1911) showed a large affinity with Anchoa lyolepis (Evermann & Marsh, 1900) in salt marshes but a large one with Opisthonema oglinum (Le Sueur, 1818) and Harengula clupeola (Cuvier, 1829) in mangroves. Similar behaviour between salt marsh and mangrove has linked H. clupeola to O. oglinum, in which diet was composed almost integrally by Diatomacea and Copepoda. The ability of fish to change their feeding habits according to the environment is well-known worldwide; here it probably results from the availability of preys, which is supposed to be different between salt marshes and mangroves. However, it was also observed that, although food items change from salt marsh to mangrove, the relationships between species remain different in both areas, helping them to be abundant in the shallow estuarine waters.

As amostras foram obtidas mensalmente na baixa-mar de quadratura em uma planície de maré da Baía de Paranaguá, Brasil, com duas redes de pesca tipo picaré: uma com malha de 1mm, 30m de comprimento e 3m de altura, e outra com malha de 10mm, 65m de comprimento e 2m de altura. Foram capturados 8890 peixes, de 24 famílias e 53 espécies. As espécies Harengula jaguana e Atherinella brasiliensis foram as mais abundantes, representando 62,4% da captura total. Foi observada uma tendência sazonal na abundância numérica dos peixes, com as menores capturas ocorrendo durante o inverno e parte da primavera. A riqueza em espécies apresentou padrão padrão sazonal, com decréscimo gradual ao longo do inverno e aumento marcante no verão. Os índices de estrutura da comunidade indicaram mudanças estacionais. As similariedades faunísticas permitiram a separação dos meses de coleta em 4 grupos principais. O padrão sazonal foi vizível nas espécies numericamente dominantes e a Análise de Cluster revelou 5 grupos principais.

Studies were carried out on fish assemblages in a tidal flat. Samples were obtained monthly at low tide of the half moon in the tidal flat of Paranaguá Bay, Brazil, with two seine nets, one with a 1 mm mesh, 30 m in length and 3 m in height and another with a 10 mm mesh, 65 m in length and 2 m in height. A total of 8,890 fish were captured, comprising 24 families and 53 species. The most abundant species were Harengula clupeola and Atherinella brasiliensis, which represented 63.4% of the total, capture. A seasonal tendency was observed in the abundance of fishes, with less fishes being captured during winter and part of spring. The number of species showed a seasonal pattern, with the gradual decrease through winter and a marked increase in summer. The community structure index indicated seasonal changes in the assemblage. The faunistic similarities between months separated the 12 months into four major groups. The seasonal pattern was apparent in the numerically dominant species and the Cluster Analysis revealed five main groups.

As amostras foram obtidas mensalmente na baixa-mar de quadratura na Gamboa do Baguaçu, Baía de Paranaguá, Brasil, com uma rede tipo picaré, com malha de 1mm, 30 m de comprimento e 3 m de altura. Foram capturados 30104 peixes pertencentes a 21 famílias e 47 espécies. A espécie Anchoa parva foi a mais abundante, tanto em número como em peso. As capturas em número e peso foram maiores no outono e parte do inverno. Nenhuma tendência sazonal foi observada nos índices da estrutura da comunidade. O agrupamento dos meses definidos pela análise de cluster normal refletiram diferenças na ocorrência qualitativa e quantitativa dos taxa mais importantes. Algumas afinidades ecológicas, e não somente os padrões sazonais de abundância, parecem evidentes na sazonalidade dos agrupamentos de espécies revelados através da análise de cluster. A análise de componentes principais reflete principalmente os períodos de chuva e seca.

Studies were carried out on structure and dynamics of fish assemblages in the Baguaçu tidal creek, Paranaguá Bay, Brazil. A total of 30,104 fish were captured, comprising 21 families and 47 species. Both in weight and in number, the species Anchoa parva prevailed. Monthly captures in number and weight were largest in the autumn and part of the winter. No seasonal tendency was observed in the indexes of community structure. The dendrogram produced by the classification of the samples separated the 12 months of collection into three groups, reflecting differences in the qualitative and quantitative occurrences of the most important taxa. Some ecological likeness, not only seasonal patterns of abundance, seemed evident in the seasonality of the groupings of species revealed through the cluster analysis. The principal component analysis reflected mainly the periods of rain and drought

The utilisation of multiple gears and the surveying of other areas than that of mangrove habitats have increased in 27 the number of fish species known in the Guaratuba Bay, an estuarine ecosystem located in the southern of Brazilian coastal region (25º52'S, 48º39'W). The new occurrence of a typically freshwater species (Pimelodidae) and of several Clupeiformes and Gobiidae species, reveals the importance of the salt marsh and the innermost zones of this Bay to the distribution of certain fish groups.

A alimentação do cangulo ou canguá, Stellifer rastrifer, foi estudada no manguezal da Baía de Guaratuba entre fevereiro 1996 e fevereiro 1997. Constatou-se que a dieta está baseada em invertebrados, sobretudo Decapoda Brachyura e Polychaeta. Secundariamente, registram-se vegetais superiores, Copepoda, Gammaridea e Mollusca. O grau de participação dos itens varia com a estação e o tamanho dos indivíduos. Tal plasticidade no hábito alimentar, também conhecida em outras populações de peixes estuarinos, pode ser considerada como mais um indicador do grau de instabilidade encontrado nestes ambientes.

Feeding habits of Stellifer rastrifer (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) at Guaratuba mangrove, Parana, Brazil, were studied from February 1996 to February 1997. It was observed that its diet was based on invertebrates, mainly Decapoda non-Brachyura and Polychaeta. In a smaller proportion there were plants, Copepoda, Gammaridea and Mollusca. The level of contribution of each food item changed according to the season and the individual size. Such plasticity in feeding behaviour was similar to that described to some fish populations from other estuaries, and could be an indicator of the high level of instability presented by this kind of ecosystem.

Seasonal variation of food items of Bairdiella ronchus (Cuvier, 1830) classified by size was analysed based on monthly samples between september/1993 and september/1996 at the Guaratuba Bay, Southern Brazil. The stomach contents of a hundred eighty-two fishes were analysed by the Occunence Frequency Method and Point Count for a Lot Method. The individuais were divided in two groups, smaller and longer than 140mm, and a comparative study of digestive tract and branchial are was performed for these groups. For fishes smaller than 140mm the following sequence of items was obtained matching both methods by using the Preponderance índices: decapods (subdivided in Brachyura, Caridea and Penaeidea), polychaets, isopods, fishes, unidentified material, copepods, amphipods, molluscs and plant material. For fishes longer than or equal to 140mm the sequence was decapods, polychaets, fishes, copepods, amphipods, isopods, molluscs and plant material, in this order. These results suggest that Bairdiella ronchus at the Guaratuba Bay is a carnivorous species using mainly decapod crustaceans as food throughout the year.

A total of 1312 individuais of S. rastrifer were sampled from March 1994 to September 1996 at the Guaratuba Bay, Southern Brazilian coast. This species is a permanently inhabitant of the mangrove area throughout the year. The weight/length relationship of the species in the region is "In TW =-12,35 + 3,22 In TL", and the individuais may reach 172mm of total length. The analyses of gonadal morphology and gonadossomatic index indicate that S. rastrifer is a multiple spawner species, that reproduces at the mangrove area during a long period of the year. The reproductive activity is more intense during the winter and mainly the spring, when the value of Condition Factor declines and empty folheies are found in the ovaries.

The species of Citharichthys Bleeker, 1862, C. arenaceus Evermann & Marsh, 1900 and C. spilopterus Günther, 1862, are the most common flatfishes found in Guaratuba Bay, south Brazil. Different size categories of these flatfish occur in the mangrove area throughout the year. The Gonadosomatic Index, the Condition Factor, and the morphological analyses of the gonads from samples obtained between 1994 and 1996 reveals a spawning activity during late Spring and early Summer. This period coincides with the increase in temperature and decrease in salinity. Spawning evidence and the presence of ali size categories throughout the year indicate that Citharichthys spp. are permanent inhabitants of the mangrove in Guaratuba Bay, where they complete their life cycle.