The objective of this dissertation was to examine sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) spawning in the Straits of Florida, with a specific focus on 1) the physical and biological characteristics of the spawning environment, and 2) the role of the region within the broader spawning patterns of these two species. In order to accomplish these objectives, two years of monthly ichthyoplankton collections and physical measurements across the Straits of Florida were combined with a finer-scale Lagrangian study. Additionally, a molecular species-identification methodology was developed that was both high-throughput and suitable for use with a broad taxonomic range of species. An initial analysis considered the diversity, assemblages and associated habitat of the larvae of large and medium size pelagic species. In total 36 species and 14,295 individuals were collected during this study, with the highest diversity occurring during the summer, and in the western frontal region of the Florida Current. Sailfish were included in an assemblage with Auxis rochei, A. thazard and Euthynnus alleterattus, all species found in highest abundance during the summer along the western edge of the Straits of Florida. Blue marlin grouped most closely with Thunnus atlanticus, Ruvettus pretiosus and Lampris guttatus, all summer spawners, whose larvae tended to occur further offshore. The primary environmental factors associated with these assemblages were SST (highest summer-early fall), day-length (highest early summer), thermocline depth (shallowest on the Florida side) and fluorescence (highest on the Florida side). A Lagrangian sampling effort was then used to more specifically evaluate the role of frontal zones in sailfish spawning. The results of this sampling indicated that the highest levels of sailfish spawning occurred in a frontal zone associated with the formation of a submesoscale frontal eddy. This spawning resulted in the first-feeding larvae occupying an area rich in prey items. Given the small spatial-scale of the front, and the distribution of the eggs of adult prey items, the results of this work would suggest that sailfish are actively targeting features for spawning that are favorable to the growth and survival of their larvae. Finally the relative importance of the Straits of Florida as a spawning ground was evaluated by calculating the annual egg production of both sailfish and blue marlin within this region. In total it was estimated that 2.1% of western Atlantic sailfish spawning and 1.6% of Atlantic wide blue marlin spawning occurs in the SF. Pop-up satellite tags deployed on sailfish at the start of the spawning season revealed their short residency times in the SF, suggesting that a large (≈10%) transient portion of the sailfish population is responsible for the SF egg production. These results indicate that the SF is a migratory bottleneck for sailfish. In conclusion the results of this study indicate that a hierarchy of physical and biological processes influence the distribution of billfish spawning in space and time. The results provide insights into the movement patterns and life history strategies of these species, and ultimately may aid in the development of the spatially explicit ecosystem based management approaches that are currently being advocated.

Lulas da família Loliginidae são recursos pesqueiros em crescente importância no ecossistema marinho da Plataforma Continental Sudeste (PCSE) do Brasil. No entanto, informações sobre a distribuição dos estágios iniciais do seu ciclo de vida são bastante escassas. Com base em amostras de plâncton coletadas por 11 cruzeiros oceanográficos pretéritos do Instituto Oceanográfico da USP entre 1991 e 2005, o presente estudo teve como objetivo a identificação da ocorrência de paralarvas de Loliginidae na região entre o Cabo de São Tomé (RJ) e Cananéia (SP). Das 644 amostras analisadas, foram encontradas 246 paralarvas, sendo 121 identificadas em nível de espécie (Doryteuthis sanpaulensis n=75, Doryteuthis plei n=39, Lolliguncula brevis n=6 e Pickfordiateuthis pulchella, n=1). Os padrões de distribuição da Família em relação aos processos oceanográficos foram identificados a partir de mapas de distribuição horizontal e vertical de abundância, temperatura e salinidade. Modelos Lineares Generalizados (GLMs) foram utilizados para detectar os fatores que explicariam a ocorrência e a abundância de Loliginidae, os quais indicaram que a profundidade e a temperatura superficial do mar são as principais variáveis explanatórias. Uma Análise de Redundância (RDA) evidenciou os principais padrões de distribuição observados das três principais espécies de Loliginidae em relação às variáveis oceanográficas. D. sanpaulensis predominou na região norte da área de estudo, associada a águas frias e a eventos de ressurgência. D. plei ocorreu principalmente na região sul da área e em águas mais quentes. L. brevis foi encontrada apenas na região estuarina de Santos, em águas rasas e menos salinas. Os resultados obtidos representam uma contribuição relevante ao conhecimento sobre a Oceanografia Pesqueira das lulas no ecossistema marinho regional. / Loliginid squids are fisheries resources of increasing importance in the shelf ecosystem of Southeastern Brazil. Therefore, information about distribution of the early stages of their life cycle is scarce. Based on plankton samples collected by eleven historical oceanographic surveys cruises of the University of São Paulo\'s Oceanographic Institute between 1991 and 2005, the present study aimed identification of the occurrence of Loliginidae paralarvae in the region between Cabo de São Tomé (22ºS) and Cananéia (25ºS). From 664 samples analyzed, 246 paralarvae were found, being 121 identified to the species level, (Doryteuthis sanpaulensis n=75, Doryteuthis plei n=39,, Lolliguncula brevis n=6 and Pickfordiateuthis pulchella, n=1). The distributional patterns of Loliginidae in relation to oceanographic processes were identified by using horizontal and vertical maps of abundance, temperature and salinity. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to detect the factors that explain Loliginidae occurrence and abundance, which indicated that depth and sea surface temperature, were major explanatory variables. A Redundancy Analyses (RDA) showed the main observed distribution patterns of the three species of Loliginidae in relation to oceanographic variables. D. sanpaulensis occurred in the northern region associated to cold waters and upwelling events. D. plei occurred mainly in the southern region of the study area and in warmer waters.L. brevis was found in the estuarine region of Santos, in shallow and low salinity waters. The obtained results represent a relevant contribution to squids Fisheries Oceanography in the regional marine ecosystem.

Lulas da família Loliginidae são recursos pesqueiros em crescente importância no ecossistema marinho da Plataforma Continental Sudeste (PCSE) do Brasil. No entanto, informações sobre a distribuição dos estágios iniciais do seu ciclo de vida são bastante escassas. Com base em amostras de plâncton coletadas por 11 cruzeiros oceanográficos pretéritos do Instituto Oceanográfico da USP entre 1991 e 2005, o presente estudo teve como objetivo a identificação da ocorrência de paralarvas de Loliginidae na região entre o Cabo de São Tomé (RJ) e Cananéia (SP). Das 644 amostras analisadas, foram encontradas 246 paralarvas, sendo 121 identificadas em nível de espécie (Doryteuthis sanpaulensis n=75, Doryteuthis plei n=39, Lolliguncula brevis n=6 e Pickfordiateuthis pulchella, n=1). Os padrões de distribuição da Família em relação aos processos oceanográficos foram identificados a partir de mapas de distribuição horizontal e vertical de abundância, temperatura e salinidade. Modelos Lineares Generalizados (GLMs) foram utilizados para detectar os fatores que explicariam a ocorrência e a abundância de Loliginidae, os quais indicaram que a profundidade e a temperatura superficial do mar são as principais variáveis explanatórias. Uma Análise de Redundância (RDA) evidenciou os principais padrões de distribuição observados das três principais espécies de Loliginidae em relação às variáveis oceanográficas. D. sanpaulensis predominou na região norte da área de estudo, associada a águas frias e a eventos de ressurgência. D. plei ocorreu principalmente na região sul da área e em águas mais quentes. L. brevis foi encontrada apenas na região estuarina de Santos, em águas rasas e menos salinas. Os resultados obtidos representam uma contribuição relevante ao conhecimento sobre a Oceanografia Pesqueira das lulas no ecossistema marinho regional. / Loliginid squids are fisheries resources of increasing importance in the shelf ecosystem of Southeastern Brazil. Therefore, information about distribution of the early stages of their life cycle is scarce. Based on plankton samples collected by eleven historical oceanographic surveys cruises of the University of São Paulo\'s Oceanographic Institute between 1991 and 2005, the present study aimed identification of the occurrence of Loliginidae paralarvae in the region between Cabo de São Tomé (22ºS) and Cananéia (25ºS). From 664 samples analyzed, 246 paralarvae were found, being 121 identified to the species level, (Doryteuthis sanpaulensis n=75, Doryteuthis plei n=39,, Lolliguncula brevis n=6 and Pickfordiateuthis pulchella, n=1). The distributional patterns of Loliginidae in relation to oceanographic processes were identified by using horizontal and vertical maps of abundance, temperature and salinity. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to detect the factors that explain Loliginidae occurrence and abundance, which indicated that depth and sea surface temperature, were major explanatory variables. A Redundancy Analyses (RDA) showed the main observed distribution patterns of the three species of Loliginidae in relation to oceanographic variables. D. sanpaulensis occurred in the northern region associated to cold waters and upwelling events. D. plei occurred mainly in the southern region of the study area and in warmer waters.L. brevis was found in the estuarine region of Santos, in shallow and low salinity waters. The obtained results represent a relevant contribution to squids Fisheries Oceanography in the regional marine ecosystem.