Abstract Marine toxicity tests using sea urchin embryos and larvae are characterized by physicochemical induction for the release of gametes by adult organisms and by the production of excess gamic material after induction. Evaluating the effects of mortality that inducers cause on organisms, and the improvement in oocyte maintenance techniques for subsequent use, are actions of interest in the conservation of species and the sustainable use of this type of biological model. For this study, adults of the sea urchin species Lytechinus variegatus and Echinometra lucunter were obtained from the field for inductions and tests with their gametes in the laboratory. The species L. variegatus was used in maintenance experiments to assess health after induction (longline outdoor and indoor tanks) and mortality rates after induction by potassium chloride (KCl) and a mixture of potassium chloride with calcium chloride (CaCl2), and to evaluate bacterial growth as well as antibiograms of seawater resulting from induced spawning and in vitro fertilization. For the species E. lucunter, experiments with the same chemical inducers on mortality rates were carried out, as well as the conservation of oocytes in artificial seawater with antibiotics selected for their efficiency and toxicity for later use. Maintenance in the laboratory tanks, filled with seawater in a closed system, showed the lowest mortality rates in the group of non-induced organisms (control). The mixture of KCl and CaCl2 resulted in the lowest mortality rates of the adult organisms after spawning induction. The antibiotics Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin showed moderate efficiency in inhibiting bacterial growth, but with low toxicity, demonstrating the ability to maintain the integrity of sea urchin oocytes for up to 14 days under refrigeration.

ABSTRACT Ecotoxicological tests performed in waters with low salinities, typical of estuarine environments, are limited regarding the availability of test organisms. The amphipod Hyalella azteca, an organism protocoled for trials with freshwater sediments, presents a potential for use in saltwater tests in which the confounding factors, such as salinity and sediment grain size, should be evaluated to avoid errors in the results in relation to the sensitivity of the organism. Thus, amphipod cultivations in salinities of 0, 5, 10 and 20 were conducted, to perform tests of tolerance to salinity, and sensitivity to a reference toxicant. The tolerance of the species to different sediment grain sizes and organic matter contents was evaluated in tests with reconstituted sediments in five different compositions, varying the content of organic matter (5 to 20%), clay and sand (0 to 95%). The results of the cultivations showed that animals maintained present the best reproduction and survival rates at salinity 5, and a tolerance limit under chronic conditions, at salinity above 10. The salinity can be considered a confounding factor since the tests carried out with the reference toxicant showed the higher resistance of the species under conditions of higher salinities. The species present tolerance to different sediment grain sizes and organic matter contents; therefore, this factor does not interfere in the survival of H. azteca during the ecotoxicological tests.

The need to associate the collection of oceanographic data with the use of opportunity vessels, particularly the fishing fleet, has attracted growing interest in the development of underwater equipment or vehicles fitted with multi-parameter seawater probes. Thus, four digital models of undulating tow vehicles were developed, called U-Tow, using the software program SolidWorks, to be made from fiberglass and fitted with an electronic probe that continuously gathers oceanographie data on the ship's course, and details of the water column. The undulating system was conceived to be fully mechanical and adjustable, according to the requirements for collections performed under a wide variety of conditions stipulated by different opportunity vessels, without the need for specific training of the crew, or unnecessary occupation of space on the deck. The aim is to improve the different models presented (U-tow I to U-tow IV) in terms of their hydrodynamic, accessories for equipment protection, and ease of operation in terms of installing the probe inside the equipment.

La necesidad de una asociación entre la obtención de datos oceanográficos con el uso de embarcaciones de oportunidad, en particular la flota pesquera, ha despertado interés en el desarrollo de equipamientos o vehículos subacuáticos que porten sondas multiparamétricas en agua de mar. De esta manera, se desarrollaron cuatro modelos digitales de vehículos ondulatorios de remolque, denominados U-Tow, mediante el programa SolidWorks, que puedan ser confeccionados en fibra de vidrio y portar una sonda electrónica para la obtención de datos oceanográficos de forma continua, involucrando el rumbo de la embarcación y datos de la columna de agua. El sistema de ondulación fue idealizado para ser totalmente mecánico y ajustable, de acuerdo con los requisitos exigidos para que las colectas sean efectuadas en las más diversas condiciones estipuladas por diferentes embarcaciones de oportunidad, sin la necesidad de capacitación específica de la tripulación ni ocupación innecesaria de espacio en cubierta. Los diferentes modelos presentados (U-tow I a U-tow IV) buscan mejorías en términos de hidrodinámica, accesorios de protección del equipamiento y facilidades de operación en lo que se refiere a la instalación de sonda en su interior.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar um levantamento das espécies de macromedusas ocorrentes no Litoral Norte de Santa Catarina, avaliar sua dinâmica populacional e as variações na composição bioquímica, por meio de saídas de campo mensais, ocorridas entre janeiro de 2012 até outubro de 2014. As análises bioquímicas das umbrelas incluiram seu conteúdo em água, carboidratos, proteínas, lipídeos, cinzas, e, destas, sua composição. Foram encontradas seis espécies de macromedusas: Chiropsalmus quadrumanus e Tamoya haplonema (Cubozoa); Olindias sambaquiensis e Rhacostoma atlanticum (Hydrozoa); Chrysaora lactea e Lychnorhiza lucerna (Scyphozoa). As espécies de maior ocorrência e típicas da região foram Olindias sambaquiensis e Rhacostoma atlanticum. Ambas apresentaram alta variabilidade entre os anos, sendo que as maiores densidades foram obtidas entre o outono e o inverno de 2014, associadas a um inverno menos rigoroso e águas mais salgadas. As Cubozoas apresentam maior conteúdo em matéria orgânica, sendo as cinzas ricas em metais. R. atlanticum apresentou sazonalidade na composição química, estando as proteínas relacionadas com o pico reprodutivo da espécie.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to record the macromedusae species on the north coast of Santa Catarina, and to estimate their population dynamics and variations in their biochemical composition, based on the specimens obtained in the by-catch of artisanal shrimp fishing between January 2012 and October 2014. Cohort analysis was performed to evaluate the population dynamic of the most frequent species. Biochemical analyses of the umbrellas were conducted on their water, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, ash and metals contents. Six species of macromedusae were found: Chiropsalmus quadrumanus and Tamoya haplonema (Cubozoa); Olindias sambaquiensis and Rhacostoma atlanticum (Hydrozoa), and Chrysaora lactea and Lychnorhiza lucerna (Scyphozoa). The species with the highest occurrence, and typical of the region, were Olindias sambaquiensis and Rhacostoma atlanticum. These species showed high inter-year variability, the highest densities being observed between autumn and winter 2014, associated with a less severe winter and coastal water with higher salinity. The distribution of size classes of O. sambaquiensis suggests two well-defined cohorts in spring/summer and in autumn/winter. R. atlanticum showed continuous reproduction and inter-year variation but a high value for protein content related to the reproductive peak in autumn. However, the Cubozoa species showed higher organic matter and metal content than the other classes.

Very few studies have been carried out to exclusively investigate the zooplankton community of Santa Catarina State continental shelf, despite the economic and ecological importance of the area. This coastal region of southern Brazil presents highly relevant oceanographic processes, such as the strong influence of continental inputs, resurgence in the Cabo de Santa Marta Grande and River Plata plume water to the south. Two sampling cruises were carried out, in December 2005 and May 2006, in order to study temporal hydrological variations, and their influence on the biota of the region. Zooplankton samples for analysis were obtained by oblique hauls with Bongo nets at 33 sampling stations arranged in profiles perpendicular to the coast on each cruise. The predominant groups found in the samples were Copepoda, Cladocera, Salpidae and Chaetognatha, which presented higher densities at the stations closer to the coast. In the case of the December 2005 cruise, the salinity and temperature gradients perpendicular to the coast, promoted by the continental inputs to the north of the area and by the upwelling to the south, determined the limits of distribution of Acartia lilljeborgi and Penilia avirostris. However, the temperature and salinity gradients longitudinal to the coast determined on the May 2006 cruise did not explain the species distribution, indicating that biotic forcing mechanisms may have been active in the ecology of the system during this period.

A pesar de la importancia económica y ecológica del área todavía no habían sido realizados estudios exclusivamente destinados a la investigación de la comunidad zooplanctónica de la plataforma continental del Estado de Santa Catarina. Esta región costera del sur de Brasil presenta procesos oceanográficos de alta relevancia, tales como fuerte influencia de aportes continentales, resurgencia en el Cabo de Santa Marta Grande y la pluma de agua del río Plata en el sur. Se efectuaron dos cruceros de muestreo en diciembre 2005 y mayo 2006, para determinar las variaciones temporales de las condiciones hidrológicas y su influencia sobre la biota de la región. En cada crucero se analizaron muestras de zooplancton obtenidas por arrastres oblicuos con redes Bongo en 33 estaciones distribuidas en perfiles perpendiculares a la costa. Los grupos dominantes en las muestras fueron Copepoda, Cladocera, Salpidae y Chaetognatha, presentando mayores densidades en las estaciones más costeras. En el crucero de diciembre de 2005 los gradientes de salinidad y temperatura perpendiculares a la costa, producidos por los aportes continentales al norte y por la resurgencia al sur del área, determinaron los límites de distribución de Acartia lilljeborgi y Penilia avirostris. En el crucero de mayo de 2006 los gradientes de temperatura y salinidad longitudinales a la costa no explicaron la variación en la distribución de las especies, indicando que forzantes bióticos podrían ser predominantes en la ecología del sistema en este período.

Este trabalho apresentada informações oriundas de diferentes amostragens realizadas ao longo da costa de Santa Catarina com o objetivo de esboçar as características biogeográficas do zooplâncton assim como identificar espécies ou grupos de espécies com potencial uso como bioindicadores. A partir de um cheklist das espécies da comunidade zooplanctônica do estado observou-se que nos meses quentes do ano a fauna é similar aos dos estados do Paraná e São Paulo (e. g. Creseis virgula f. virgula, Penilia avirostris; Acartia lilljeborgi e Oithona oswaldocruzi), enquanto que nos meses frios, apresenta representantes costeiros da fauna do Rio Grande do Sul (e. g.Acartia tonsa). Entretanto, o zooplâncton é dominantemente termófilo na maior parte do ano, típico da Água Tropical de Plataforma. Existem diversas espécies do zooplâncton que podem ser utilizadas como indicadoras hidrológicas, permitindo diferenciar águas costeiras sob influência de aportes continentais (e. g. Paracalanus quasimodo e Parvocalanus crassirostris), comuns no norte do estado, e de processos de ressurgências (e. g. Podon intermedius) e da influência da Frente do Prata originárias do sul (e. g. Pleopis polyphemoides). Os diferentes ambientes investigados apresentam uma abundância do zooplâncton dependente da influência de aportes continentais e da possibilidade de sua retenção e aproveitamento do enriquecimento costeiro que variam sazonalmente

This paper presents information from different sampling surveys carried out along the Santa Catarina coast in order to outline the biogeographical characteristics of the zooplankton in this region and identify species or groups of species with potential use as bioindicators. Based on a checklist of species of the zooplankton community in the state, it was observed that, in the warmer months of the year, the fauna is similar to that of the states of Paraná and São Paulo (e.g. Creseis virgula f. virgula, Penilia avirostris; Acartia lilljeborgi and Oithona oswaldocruzi), while in the colder months there are coastal representatives of the fauna of Rio Grande do Sul (e.g. Acartia tonsa). However, the zooplankton consists predominantly of warm water species for most of the year, which is typical of Tropical Shelf Waters. Various species of zooplankton can be used as hydrological indicators, enabling a distinction to be made between coastal waters which are influenced by continental inputs (e.g. Paracalanus quasimodo and Parvocalanus crassirostris), common in the north of the state, and processes of upwelling (e.g. Podon intermedius) and the influence of the Subtropical Shelf Front (e.g. Pleopis polyphemoides), coming from the south. The different environments investigated present a zooplankton abundance that depends on the influence of continental inputs and the possibility of their retaining and contribution for the coastal enrichment, which varies seasonally

Associations of pteropod, cladoceran, and chaetognath species were analyzed for the southern coast of Brazil in order to present a biological diagnosis of the oceanographic conditions in winter and summer. The density data from the different species were analyzed using nodal and ordination cluster techniques, linking the species associations with salinity and temperature and, consequently, with the water masses occurring in each period. Sagitta tennis and Pleopsis polyphemoides were found to characterize the coastal water and, when associated with Evadne nordmanni and Pleopsis schmackeri, differentiated between the thermal characteristics of winter and summer, respectively. The Sub-Antarctic Shelf Water was characterized by the association of Sagitta tasmanica and Limacina retroversa in winter. The Tropical Water of the Brazil current presented several different associations, with Penilia avirostris, Sagitta enflata, and Creseis virgula dominating the shelf Tropical Water and Sagitta serratodentata, Limacina trochiformis, and Evadne spinifera characterizing the oceanic Tropical Water. The Sub-tropical Water, typical of upwelling processes, was characterized by the association of the chaetognaths Sagitta decipiens and Krohnitta subtilis, both in winter and summer. The species associations defined in this study agree with others carried out in neighboring areas and in previous sampling periods, characterizing the región as the southern transition zone.

Se analizó las asociaciones de especies de Pteropoda, Cladocera y Chaetognatha en la costa sur de Brasil, para presentar un diagnóstico biológico de las condiciones oceanógraficas de invierno y verano. Los datos de densidad de las diferentes especies fueron analizados por técnicas de agrupamiento nodal y de ordenación, relacionando las asociaciones con la salinidad, temperatura y, consecuentemente, con las masas de agua presentes en cada período. Se observó que Sagitta tennis, Pleopsis polyphemoides caracterizan el agua costera, que asociada a Evadne nordmanni y Pleopsis schmackeri diferencian las características térmicas de invierno y verano, respectivamente. El Agua Subantártica de Plataforma fue caracterizada por la asociación de Sagitta tasmanica y Limacina retroversa en invierno. El Agua Tropical de la corriente de Brasil presentó una diversidad de asociaciones, pudiendo ser de plataforma con la dominancia de Penilia avirostris, Sagitta enflata y Creseis virgula, así como el Agua Tropical oceánica caracterizada por Sagitta serratodentata, Limacina trochiformis y Evadne spinifera. El Agua Subtropical, típica de procesos de surgencias, estuvo caracterizada por la asociación de los quetognatos Sagitta decipiens y Krohnitta subtilis en invierno y en verano. Las asociaciones de especies definidas en este estudio están de acuerdo con otros realizados en areas vecinas y en períodos anteriores, caracterizando la región como zona de transición sur.

O molusco bivalve Perna perna é o Mytilidae de maior tamanho e o mais abundante na costa brasileira. Apresenta uma grande importância sócio-econômica devido ao seu uso na mitilicultura, disponibilizando para o consumo humano uma fonte protéica barata proporcionado pelos sistemas de cultivos costeiros. Entretanto, existe uma carência de estudos fisiológicos da espécie, que poderiam ser úteis na avaliação de novas áreas de cultivo, assim como no monitoramento de ambientes contaminados. Neste trabalho foram realizadas testes fisiológicos para determinar as taxas de respiração, clareamento, excreção e eficiência de absorção em laboratório, sob condições crônicas e agudas, em diferentes temperaturas e salinidades. Desta forma, foi possível determinar as oscilações e a capacidade de aclimatação da espécie que servem como base para o entendimento do organismo no ambiente natural, além de gerar conhecimento básico para estimativas do seu potencial de crescimento. Todos os experimentos foram realizados em condições estáticas com dez réplicas e com um mexilhão por frasco teste. A taxa de respiração foi estimada pela diminuição do oxigênio dissolvido na água de incubação, a taxa de clareamento pela diminuição da concentração do fitoplâncton oferecido como alimento, a taxa de excreção pelo aumento da concentração do N-NH4+ e a eficiência de absorção pela diferença entre os conteúdos de matéria orgânica do alimento e das fezes produzidas. Perna perna apresentou capacidade de aclimatação total para as taxas de clareamento e para a eficiência de absorção (15 a 30 ºC) e parcial para as taxas de respiração e excreção sob condições crônicas de temperatura. Em condições de choque térmico, as taxas de clareamento e respiração dobraram em magnitude como resposta ao metabolismo de atividade. Para a salinidade, P. perna apresentou uma maior capacidade de aclimatação (20 a 40 ‰). Para o crescimento líquido, P. perna apresentou uma diminuição de sua eficiência com o aumento da temperatura e foi constante entre as salinidades de 20 a 35 ‰.

The aim of this work was to study the rates of respiration, clearance, excretion and absorption efficiency at different temperature and salinity under laboratory conditions for Perna perna. Results showed variations in physiological rates and in acclimatization capacity which, taken together, enabled to understand its behavior in the environment, as well as to estimate its scope for growth. All experiments were carried out in static conditions, in ten replicas with one mussel by flasks. Perna perna was capable of achieving acclimatization for both clearance and absorption efficiency (15 to 30 ºC), but it achieved only partial acclimatization for respiration and excretion under chronic temperature conditions. The clearance and respiration rates increased twofold as the mussel was submitted to temperature shock, which signified a response to metabolism activity. Acclimatization to salinity was clearly the best developed capability (20 to 40 ‰). Net growth efficiency reduced as the temperature increased, but remained constant in the 20 to 35 ‰ salinity range.