This study investigated the diet of longnose stingray Hypanus guttatus in the tropical waters of north-eastern Brazil. Samples were obtained from monthly sampling of artisanal fisheries from August 2007 to July 2008. A total of 258 specimens were examined, 127 females and 131 males, and stomach contents analysis suggested H. guttatus to be a generalist and opportunistic predator feeding on the most available prey in the environment. There was no significant difference in the diet composition of males and females, or between seasons. However, an ontogenetic dietary shift was observed with larger individuals having an increased proportion of molluscs in the diet, whilst smaller individuals predated primarily on small crustaceans.

This study investigated the emission of subaquatic noise from recreational tourism motorboats, schooners and a sea-bottom mounted water pump. Analyses demonstrated alterations in several whistle (IF: t = 2.42, P = 0.015; FF: t = −2.22, P = 0.025) and calls patterns (MIF: t = −3.13, P = 0.001; MAF: t = −3.49, P = 0.0005; FD: t = −2.21, P = 0.027; D: t = 2.89, P = 0.004), caused primarily by motorboats. Duration of clicks was also modified (D: t = −3.85, P = 0.0001), mainly by the water pump. The frequency range of all noises (0.43–35.8 kHz) overlaps that used by dolphins (1–48 kHz), causing sound emissions changes, with a considerable increase in number of whistles and a reduction in clicks trains. These changes may be a strategy developed by these dolphins to overcome the noise band. Mitigation measures, such as boating regulations and environmental education for the local community, boaters and tourists are needed to conserve the species. The Guiana dolphin population is apparently already suffering, evidenced by diminished residence time and reduced number of individuals entering the inlet during the presence of pleasure craft.

The reproductive biology of the lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris, was evaluated from 770 specimens (434 females and 336 males) obtained on the Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil, between May 2005 and October 2007. Total length ranged from 14.7 to 56.0 cm for females and from 16.5 to 54.3 cm for males, with size composition not varying significantly between sexes. Five distinct maturity stages were identified based on macroscopic and histological examination of the gonads. Mean value of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) for females peaked in September and October, with a secondary peak in February and March. Histological analyses confirmed the reproductive cycle inferred by GSI variation. Asynchronous-type ovarian development was observed, and batch fecundity ranged from less than 104,743 oocytes for a 25.5 cm female of to 568,400 oocytes for a 56.0 cm female (250.0 and 2260 g, respectively), with an average of 345,700 oocytes. The reproductive parameters obtained for L. synagris in the Abrolhos Bank were similar to those reported in studies in northern Brazil and the north-west Atlantic. The species is an important fishery resource in the study region, and management measures are needed before the species becomes overfished. Exploitation occurs largely during spawning aggregations, a situation that has caused other lane snapper populations (and congeners) to decline acutely elsewhere. Our results provide support for size limits and seasonal spawning closures on the Abrolhos Bank, a region that sustains artisanal fisheries involving >20,000 fishermen.

This study aimed at describing the quantitative variations of epiphytic diatoms in Rhodophyta Galaxaura rugosa, collected in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago (north-eastern Brazil), during two annual periods (June 2006 and June 2007). The distribution of epiphytic diatoms in G. rugosa confirmed the occurrence of a quantitative variation/zoning along the thallus of the analysed host, with an increase in density (cells per gram wet weight of seaweed) of apical portions towards the basal parts of the seaweed, regardless of the collection points and the annual periods. The abundance was characterized by individuals with pennate symmetry with raphe, belonging to the Bacillariophyceae class. This fact is the result of the host being collected in an insular environment with great water movement under the direct action of trade winds and ocean currents for most of the year. The study confirmed that in marine ecosystems with strong hydrodynamics, epiphytic flora tends to comprise species with the largest adhesive strength.

This study aimed to assess the feeding association between coral reef fishes and the hydrozoan Millepora spp. in two different reef systems (Tamandaré reefs and Fernando de Noronha archipelago) of Pernambuco State (north-eastern Brazil). A total of eight reef fish species, predominantly juveniles, were recorded feeding on colonies of Millepora spp. during 35 records. The highest recorded feeding rate was 1.72 ± 0.87 bites.minute-1 for Sparisoma axillare and the lowest was 0.18 ± 0.40 bites.minute-1 for Stegastes rocasensis. The colony structure of the genus Millepora supports a high diversity of microfaunal and macrofaunal invertebrates, which may result in the frequent foraging behaviour observed here.

The opportunistic carnivore fish yellow jack (Carangoides bartholomaei) is recorded using swimming hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles as shelter to rove at Baía do Sueste, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, north-eastern Brazil. This behaviour is probably employed by the fish to disguise and ambush its prey while roving over the reef flat.

This paper reports the occurrence of a specimen of the toadfish Batrachoides surinamensis caught from the Ilha do Maranhão, State of Maranhão, north-eastern Brazil, which exhibited total albinism features.

The fiddler crab Uca (Minuca) victoriana von Hagen, 1987 has been reported, until recently, only from the type locality at Vitória, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We report here, for the first time, the occurrence of U. (M.) victoriana in estuaries of the States of Bahia and Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil, extending its distribution; as well as some aspects of its population biology. For the population study, four sites were defined in mangroves of the Mamucabas and Ariquindá Rivers, Pernambuco, on different types of substrate, and sampled monthly during spring low tide from April 2008 through to March 2009. A total of 41 specimens were obtained in June 2008 in the Arinquindá River, of which 25 were males, 16 non-ovigerous females and 1 ovigerous female. In the Mamucabas River, 772 crabs were collected over the year, including 472 males, 300 non-ovigerous females and 2 ovigerous females. In both areas, the U. (M.) victoriana population showed a unimodal size–frequency distribution, with males and females (ovigerous and non-ovigerous) similar in size (7.46 ± 1.60 mm for males and 7.09 ± 1.45 mm for females; t = −0.744; P > 0.05). The overall sex-ratio (1:1.57) differed significantly from the expected 1:1 proportion1 (χ2 = 38.32; P < 0.05). Study of material deposited in Brazilian carcinological collections revealed several misidentified specimens, especially as U. (M.) rapax and U. (M.) burgersi. Some morphological characters to distinguish among these species are presented.

Molidae are tropical marine teleosts that occur in all oceans. Among the species described, Masturus lanceolatus is considered rare on the Brazilian coast, with only four records found in scientific publications. The present study reports the first occurrence of this species for the coast of the State of Pernambuco (north-eastern Brazil) and discusses the possible causes of its being stranded. The specimen was found alive in the estuary of the Una River in the city of São José da Coroa Grande on the southern coast of the state. The fish was unknown to the local community of fishermen, who considered it a ‘bad omen’. The occurrence led to an environmental education project in the community carried out by members of the Tropical Marine Ichthyology Group, which carried out an inspection, documentation, analysis of external injuries and collection of viscera for the subsequent histological analysis. After undergoing taxidermy, the specimen was donated to the Una Museum. Analysis revealed that the fish suffered from an intense inflammatory process of the liver caused by polycystosis of nematodes and Trypanorhyncha, which resulted in malnutrition, as observed by the low body weight. Moreover, a likely stranding left the specimen more vulnerable to different species of shark, which mutilated it, hindering its locomotion. This fish appears to have drifted and was thrown against the reefs near the estuary before its stranding.

The present study reports the first occurrence of Ophionereis dolabriformis for Brazil and increases its bathymetric distribution upwards to 14 m. The specimens examined were from the States of Paraíba and Bahia, in north-eastern Brazil. Descriptions, geographical distributions and ecological notes about the species are provided.

Biometric relationships were recorded for 2431 male and female Panulirus echinatus sampled at Tamandaré coastal reefs, Pernambuco, Brazil. The following body measurements were taken: carapace length and width, abdomen length and width, total length, third and fifth pereiopod length, cephalothorax–abdomen and total weight. Twelve relationships were studied to compare the biometric characteristics of males and females. Eleven of them showed difference between the sexes. Comparing sexes with the same carapace length, males have a heavier cephalothorax and longer third and fifth pereiopods than females, whereas females are longer, wider, and have a heavier abdomen than males. For genders with the same total length, males are heavier and have a longer carapace than females, while females have a larger abdomen. For genders with the same abdomen length, males have a heavier abdomen than females. The relationships TWg/TL and AWg/AL showed positive allometric growth for the males. All other relationships involving weight, presented negative allometric growth for both sexes.

This study reviews and updates information on cetacean strandings in the state of Ceará, Brazil (02°30′S 41°15′W– 04°30′S 36°45′W), comprising 573 km of coastline. In the years 1992–2005, there were 252 cetacean stranding events, representing 19 species: three species of Balaenopteridae, three Physeteridae, two Kogiidae, two Ziphiidae and 11 Delphinidae. Three species comprised the majority (78.9%) of stranding events: estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (61.9%); sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus (10.3%); and rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis (6.7%). There was an increasing trend in the number of cases reported in the first five years with a highest frequency achieved in 1996. Stranding events occurred throughout the year, with the lowest frequency occurring in the autumn (March–May). Approximately 4% of the events were attributed to natural causes while 24.6% were human-related, mainly incidental captures. Meat removal for human consumption or bait was recorded in 6.7% of events. In the study area, Sotalia guianensis, P. macrocephalus and Steno bredanensis were the most abundant cetacean species, whereas Lagenodelphis hosei, Pseudorca crassidens, Orcinus orca, Kogia sima, Mesoplodon europaeus, Balaenoptera acutorostrata and Balaenoptera bonaerensis are probably rare in the area.

The predaceous fish barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is recorded rubbing itself against the carapace of moving hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off north-eastern Brazil. To scrape against such a rough surface is probably employed by the fish to get rid of external parasites.

The tripletail or blackfish (Lobotes surinamensis, Lobotidae) is recorded for the first time from an oceanic island in the South Atlantic, based on two individuals sighted and photographed near a buoy at Fernando de Noronha Island, off north-eastern Brazil.

One specimen of the Atlantic polychaete Hydroides similoides is here reported as the first record for Brazil. After being first described from the Caribbean region (Puerto Rico—Venezuela), the range of distribution of this species is now extended to the Picãozinho reefs, State of Paraíba, Brazil (south-western Atlantic).

In a study investigating the composition and spatial and temporal variation of the benthic macrofauna associated to the discharge of domestic sewage off Fortaleza, north-eastern Brazil, a new species of Syllis was found. This new species, S. guidae sp. nov., is characterized by having blades of falcigers with subdistal tooth about same length as distal tooth, but stouter than it, with spines on cutting edge almost reaching the tip of subdistal tooth, blades of falcigers with conspicuous subdistal triangular process and unusually long anal papilla between anal cirri, measuring about one-quarter of their length. Syllis guidae sp. nov., is herein described and compared with the most similar congeners.

Manatee mortality in Ceará State (north-eastern Brazil) is analysed from twenty-five strandings between 1987 and 2002. The majority of the causes were related to the ‘dependent calf’ category (83.3%). Direct human-related causes were attributed to incidental catches in fishing gear (shrimp trawling and gill-nets) (12.5%) and direct capture (4.2%). Spatial distribution was not uniform, with the highest number of strandings on the east coast. The number of strandings has increased since 1999, and the seasonal distribution showed peaks in February, March and January, in that order. The stranding of manatee calves in Ceará State seems to be indirectly related to human activities that impact coastal nursing habitats.

The range of the genus Chiasmocleis found in the south-eastern and southern parts of the Atlantic rainforest of eastern Brazil, is expanded to the north-eastern region. Chiasmocleis alagoanus sp. nov. is described from two localities in the State of Alagoas. It is characterized by: medium size (snout–vent length 25.5–27.8 mm in females, 22.7–23.4 mm in males); snout short, tip truncate in dorsal and rounded in lateral profile; hand and foot not webbed; fingers and toes without lateral dermal spines; dorsal and ventral surfaces of body and limbs smooth, without dermal spines; colour on dorsum uniformly dark brown; venter roughly marbled in dark brown and pale cream.