Abstract The movement of ships between continents is one of the leading causes of the increased bioinvasion of benthic organisms, surpassing the geographical barriers that prevent the natural dispersal of species. Artificial floating structures, such as buoys, can also serve as secondary dispersers in the introduction of exotic species on a regional scale. This study describes the fauna associated with buoys demarcating the access channel to Paraná’s ports, focusing on recording introduced invasive species. Biota samples were collected from 23 buoys from different estuary sectors and some on their fastening chains, resulting in 73 samples. A total of 88 taxa were identified, of which half were sessile organisms and half, vagile. All observed taxa were previously recorded in the region, but introduced species clearly predominate among the sessile organisms colonizing the buoys, representing over half of the taxa determined at the species level. Buoys showed differentiated communities depending on their estuary location, with introduced species accounting for a larger share of the fauna on buoys in more saline sectors, reflecting their adaptations to oceanographic factors such as marine influence and tidal-driven water exchanges or an ecophysiological barrier caused by lower salinities in the inner estuary. Considering the negative effects of non-native species in natural environments and economic activity, the facilitating action of artificial floating substrates like signaling buoys highlights the need for environmental monitoring programs and more frequent maintenance of these structures to help control bioinvasions. scale Paranás Paraná s ports 2 chains 7 8 identified vagile region level location tidaldriven tidal driven nonnative non native activity bioinvasions

Abstract This study presents the first record of the cordiform echinoid Plagiobrissus grandis (Gmelin, 1791) (Echinoidea: Spatangoida: Brissidae) in Paraná’s shallow inner shelf, in addition to a brief description of its location, body measurements, sex determination, and reproductive status. Two specimens were recorded between 2015 (bycatch by artisanal fishing) and 2016 (observed by scuba diving). The only specimen - with severe signs of weakness - captured was donated to Associação MarBrasil and kept in an aquarium for rehabilitation (8 days), where it was possible to observe digging movements, burying skills (partially), and camouflage or covering behavior. The organism was sent to the UNESPAR campus of Paranaguá and was photographed, measured (length: 155.65 mm, width: 118.93 mm, and maximum test height: 41.31 mm), fixed, and properly preserved. Digitized images of the histological preparation showed that it was a female in the recovery stage (or nutritional reserve) of the reproductive cycle. Regardless of their limitations, the current records for the Brissidae family in South Atlantic are still concentrated on the Brazilian coast, contributing to the understanding of zoogeographic, ecological, morphophysiological, and behavioral aspects of the spatangoid echinoids. Gmelin, Gmelin (Gmelin 1791 Echinoidea (Echinoidea Spatangoida Paranás Paraná s shelf location measurements determination status 201 bycatch fishing observed diving. diving . diving) 8 ( days, days , days) movements partially, partially (partially) behavior photographed length (length 15565 155 65 155.6 mm width 11893 118 93 118.9 height 4131 41 31 41.3 mm) fixed preserved reserve cycle limitations coast zoogeographic ecological morphophysiological echinoids 179 20 (partially 1556 15 6 155. 1189 11 9 118. 413 4 3 41. 17 2 1

Entre abril/2000 a abril/2001 todos os indivíduos de C. danae Smith, 1869 procedentes de um mesmo arrasto foram coletados em visitas quinzenais às bancas dos pescadores do Balneário Shangri-lá (25°37'30"S, 48°25'08"W) visando investigar sua estrutura populacional e parâmetros reprodutivos. De cada indivíduo foi determinado o sexo, a largura cefalotorácica (LC) e o peso úmido (P). O estágio de maturação gonadal foi determinado macroscopicamente pelo aspecto e coloração das gônadas. A massa de ovos das fêmeas foi separada para análise da fecundidade. Foi observado um predomínio de fêmeas adultas (incluindo as ovígeras) em relação às outras categorias. A proporção sexual foi 0,9:1 (machos:fêmeas). O tamanho de primeira maturação sexual foi estimado em 60,5 mm (machos) e 52,7 mm (fêmeas). A relação LC/P foi isométrica para machos e fêmeas. A largura da carapaça das fêmeas ovígeras variou de 43,2 a 79,5 mm (67 ± 8 mm), com fecundidade variando entre 25.127 e 246.676 ovos, com uma média de 127.177 ovos por fêmea. O diâmetro médio dos ovos foi de 0,22 mm. A maior incidência de fêmeas ovígeras ocorreu durante o inverno e o verão.

From April 2000 to April 2001 all individuals of C. danae Smith, 1869 included on one otter-trawl by-catch was fortnightly sampled at Shangri-lá's fish market (25°37'30"S, 48°25'08"W) in order to study their population structure and reproductive pattern. Each specimen was sexed and measured (CW = carapace width, excluding lateral spines; WW = wet weight). The gonadal maturation stage was determined macroscopically based on its color and size. The egg mass of the females was separate for fecundity analysis. Prevalence of adult females (including ovigerous ones) was observed comparing to other categories. Sexual proportion was 0.9:1 (males:females). Size at first sexual maturation was estimated at 60.5 mm for males, and 52.7 mm for females. WW/WC relationship was isometric for males and females. The carapace width of ovigerous females was between 43.2 to 79.5 mm (67 ± 8 mm), and fecundity varied from 25,127 to 246,676 eggs, with an average of 127,177 eggs per female and mean egg diameter was 0.22 mm. The highest presence of ovigerous females occurred during winter and summer.