Diversity of fish larvae from rio Bacanga watershed (Maranhão - Brazil)

Abstract

Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the fishing potential of the Bacanga river watershed region, studies of ichthyoplankton were developed in order to evaluate the ichthyoplankton community. Six sampling sites were established along the watershed taking into accoun the seasonality. Ichthyoplankton collections with conical-cylindrical plankton net with a mesh aperture of 300 µm were performed. The ichthyoplankton community was represented by nine species belonging to seven families and four orders. The species Anchoa sp., Anchoviella lepidentostole and Mugil curema stood out in the study area. The families of fish larvae in the watershed studied present themselves in high densities near the river mouth areas, functioning as a nursery for some species of marine fish, mostly Engraulidae. These data, together with studies of the spawning areas of coastal fish, are essential for sustainable management of endemic species and of those that use the watershed as reproduction site.