ABSTRACT A large number of fish species use the mangrove mainly due to food availability and protection against predators. The knowledge of temporal and spatial dynamics of ichthyofauna allows us to identify patterns of occupation of this ecosystem and to support the assessment and preservation of local biodiversity. In this sense, samplings were conducted in 1988 at five areas of the Itacorubi River estuary, Santa Catarina Island. A total of 3,883 specimens were collected, distributed in 21 families and 41 species with the predominance of Cetengraulis edentulus, Mugil liza, Mugil curema, Genidens genidens, Mugil gaimardianus, Eucinostomus gula, Micropogonias furnieri, Pomatomus saltatrix and Sphoeroides testudineus. On average, abundances differed between seasons and sampled areas. Differences were detected between the fish faunas of fall and winter compared to summer and spring and between sampling sites. This study identified a fish assemblage in the mangrove of the Itacorubi River with a similar structure to other estuaries of southern Brazil.

Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo apresentar uma lista de peixes marinhos de ambientes costeiros da Ilha de Santa Catarina, incluindo comentários sobre as afinidades zoogeográficas, estado de conservação de cada espécie e grupos funcionais. Um total de 169 espécies de peixes, pertencentes a 30 ordens e 58 famílias, foram registradas. As famílias mais especiosas foram Sciaenidae, Carangidae e Engraulidae, representando 26,62% das espécies registradas. Anchoa foi o gênero mais rico, seguido por Sphoeroides e Cynoscion. A maioria das espécies tem sua distribuição limitada ao Atlântico ocidental, e dois grupos de peixes foram distinguidos de acordo com as distribuições de espécies: 1) espécies ocorrentes no Caribe e na Província Brasileira; e 2) espécies Transatlânticas. Treze espécies estão criticamente ameaçadas, 10 são superexploradas na costa brasileira e 2 estão ameaçadas de extinção. A maioria das espécies é composta por visitantes marinhos ou migrantes marinhos, sendo a maioria deles zoobentívoros, piscívoros ou ambos.

Abstract: This study aimed to present a checklist of marine fishes from coastal environments of the Island of Santa Catarina, including comments on the zoogeographic affinities, conservation status of each species, and functional groups. A total of 169 fish species belonging to 30 orders and 58 families were recorded. The most speciose families were Sciaenidae, Carangidae and, Engraulidae, representing 26,62% of the recorded species. Anchoa was the richest genus, followed by Sphoeroides and Cynoscion. Most of the species have their distribution limited to the western Atlantic, and two groups of fish were distinguished according to the species distributions: 1) species occurring in the Caribbean and in the Brazilian Province; and 2) Transatlantic species. Thirteen species are critically threatened, 10 are overexploited on the Brazilian coast, and 2 are threatened by extinction. Most of the species are either marine stragglers or marine migrants, and most of them are zoobenthivores, piscivores, or both.

Attempting to contribute with the knowledge about the bioecological aspects concerning the youth forms of M. furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) and C. leiarchus (Cuvier, 1830) from Itacorubi mangrove, 15 samplings were taken from January 1988 to March 1989. Using casting and entangle nets, a total of 308 individuais from these species were captured. Their abundanee were: M. furnieri N = 197 (64,0%); C. leiarchus N = 111 (36,0%). The relative frequency and range of total weights and lengths were studied. Concerning spatial distribution of the species, it was observed that M. furnieri occurred in all areas and C. leiarchus was not captured only in "D" area (Sertão River). During the anual cycle the two species occurred jointly. The results emphasize other authors statements that consider this mangrove as a "natural growing enviroment" which is highly important for the region.