O robalo-flecha, Centropomus umdecimalis, e robalo-peva, Centropomus parallelus, sÃo duas spÃcies habitantes de ambientes estuarino e costeiro marinho ao longo das regiÃes Norte, Nordeste e Sudeste do Brasil portanto, com grande potencialidade para a maricultura. A estimaÃÃo dos parÃmetros de crescimento, objeto principal deste trabalho, fornecerà as informaÃÃes necessÃrias para se avaliar a relaÃÃo custo/benefÃcio na implantaÃÃo de projetos de cultivo, principalmente quanto à eficiÃncia alimentar sobre a taxa de crescimento registrada por populaÃÃes naturais. Os dados bÃsicos foram obtidos por amostragem dos desembarques de pescado no Mercado de SÃo Pedro (NiterÃi, Estado do Rio de Janeiro), efetuados pela frota comercial de barcos linheiros que atuam ao longo da costa de Cabo Frio (23 S). O material coletado consiste de 264 exemplares, sendo 130 de C. undecimalis e 134 de C. parallelus, no perÃodo entre junho de 1999 e junho de 2000. Destes foram retiradas escamas para os estudo da idade e crescimento, por meio da identificaÃÃo dos anÃis etÃrios e mediaÃÃo das zonas de crescimento. As amplitudes de variaÃÃo do comprimento total foram 33,1 â 78,9 cm (C. undecimalis), e 29,5 â 57,3 cm (C. parallelus). As premissas bÃsicas sobre proporcionalidade nos padrÃes de crescimento da escama e do peixe, e sobre a periodicidade na formaÃÃo dos anÃis etÃrios, foram avaliadas por meio da anÃlise de regressÃo e variaÃÃo mensal no Incremento Marginal, respectivamente. Os parÃmetros de crescimento, comprimento mÃximo teÃrico, coeficiente de crescimento, e idade inicial aparente, bem como o Ãndice de desempenho do crescimento, foram estimados. O coeficiente de mortalidade natural (M) foi tambÃm estimado para fazer parte da razÃo M/K. AnÃlises estatÃsticas foram empregadas para se comparar o padrÃo de crescimento entre as duas espÃcies (teste t) e a significÃncia da mudanÃa de idade em intervalos mensais (teste H, de Kruskal-Wallis). Os resultados obtidos estÃo resumidos nos seguintes itens: (a) Confirmou-se a premissa de proporcionalidade isomÃtrica entre os comprimentos do peixe e da escama; (b) as âdatas de aniversÃrioâ do robaloflecha e do robalo-peva correspondem aos perÃodos mensais de abril-junho e agosto-outubro, respectivamente; (c) os parÃmetros de idade e crescimento estimados para o robalo-flecha foram: L = 101, 1 cm, W = 11,4 kg, K = 0,112, t0 = - 2,59 ano, tmax = 29,3 anos e fâ = 3,058; (d) os parÃmetros de idade e crescimento estimados para o robalo-peva foram: L = 67,9, W = 3,6 kg, K = 0,187, t0 = - 2,48 ano, tmax = 18,6 anos e fâ = 2,936; (e) O robalo-peva atinge um menor tamanho mais tem taxa de crescimento mais rÃpida do que o robalo-flecha; (f) o coeficiente de mortalidade natural foi estimado como M = 0,259 (C. undecimalis) e M = 0,406 (C. parallelus), com os respectivos valores de M/K = 2,312 e M/K = 2,171, que classificam estas espÃcies como pertencentes ao 4 nÃvel trÃfico; (g) Os valores do coeficiente de desempenho (fâ) confirmam a adoÃÃo de uma estratÃgia de crescimento compatÃvel com espÃcies predadoras de mÃdio e grande portes. / The common snook, Centropomus umdecimalis, and the fat snook, Centropomus parallelus, are two species that dwell on estuarine and costal marine environments along the North, Northeast and South Brazil, hence with great potential for mariculture. The estimation of age and growth parameters, the primary objective of this paper, should supply the necessary information to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio for the development of marine fish farms, especially as to feeding efficiency in promoting the enhancement of growth rates in comparison to that of wild populations. The databank was obtained by means of sampling of the landings made at the SÃo Pedro fishmarket, in NiterÃi, Rio de Janeiro State, by the commercial fleet of liners which fish for pelagic resources off Cabo Frioâs coast (23oS) The collected material was comprised of 264 specimens, 130 of C. undecimalis and 134 of C. parallelus, in the period from June, 1999 through June, 2000. From a site below the pectoral fin scales were drawn for age and growth studies to be performed by means of the identification of age rings and measurement of growth bands. Total lengths of the sampled fish were in the range of 33.1 â 78.9 cm (C. undecimalis) and 29.5 â 57.3 cm (C. parallelus). The basic assumptions on the dependence of fish size on scale size, and the periodicity in age rings formation were investigated by regression equations and monthly variations in the scaleâs marginal increment, respectively. The parameters of the growth equation, namely asymptotic length, growth coefficient and theoretical age at birth, and growth performance index as well were estimated. The natural mortality coefficient (M) was calculated in order to make up the M/K ratio. Statistical analyses were used in order to compare the growth rate between common snook and fat snook through Studentâs t test, and to assess the significance of age changes between pairs of adjoining months through Kruskal-Wallisâ H test. The drawn results may be summarized as follows: (a) the assumption of a regression of scale length on fish length was met; (b) the âbirth datesâ of common snook and fat snook correspond with April-June and August-October monthly periods; (c) the age and growth parameters for common snook were: L = 101. 1 cm, W = 11.4 kg, K = 0.112, t0 = - 2.59 yr., tmax = 29.3 yr. and fâ = 3.058; (d) the age and growth parameters for fat snook were: L = 67.9, W = 3.6 kg, K = 0.187, t0 = - 2.48 yr., tmax = 18.6 yr. and fâ = 2.936; (e) the fat snook reaches a smaller size but grows quicker than the common snook; (f) the natural mortality coefficient was estimated at M = 0.259 (C. undecimalis) e M = 0.406 (C. parallelus), entailing respective values of M/K = 2.312 and M/K = 2.171, which classify those species into the fourth trophic level; (g) The growth performance indices indicate the adoption of a strategy consistent with that assumed by mean- and large-sized predatory species.

The main objective of this thesis was to gain new insights in three of Florida’s high value food and stock enhancement finfish nutrition (Common snook, Florida pompano and red drum) to improve larviculture protocols. The main bottleneck in snook production is the extremely low larval survival rate, which hinders subsequent research. This work first focused on the source of the larvae by looking at potential nutritional deficiencies in captive broodstock. The lipid composition of wild and captive common snook broodstock were compared to identify disparities and gain the information necessary for the formulation of a suitable diet for captive stocks. Results showed that captive snook lipid content was significantly higher than that of wild fish. However, cholesterol and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were significantly lower compared to wild broodstock, with potential impact on steroid and prostaglandin production, reproductive behavior and gametogenesis. Eggs from captive broodstock incorporated high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels and low ARA levels. Consequently, ARA/EPA ratio in captive eggs was more than half of that in wild eggs (2.3 ± 0.6 and 0.9 ± 0.1 respectively), with a probable perturbation in eicosanoid production and adverse effects on embryo and larval development. The large differences observed between wild and captive broodstock most likely contributed to the reproductive dysfunctions observed in captive snook broodstock (e.g. incomplete oocyte maturation, low milt production and poor egg quality). In addition, the presence of hydrocarbons was detected in the liver of most of the wild snook sampled. This requires further investigation to identify the source of the contamination, monitor a potential impact on reproductive performances and protect the species habitat. Another major bottleneck in marine fish rearing occurs during the transition from endogenous feeding to exogenous feeding, with mass mortality events linked to inadequate first feeding diets. To gain insight on the early fatty acid requirements and mobilization of pompano and snook larvae, the pattern of conservation and loss of fatty acids from the yolk sac during the endogenous feeding period and subsequent starvation was studied. In both species, fatty acids were utilized as an energy source after hatching. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids were catabolized, while saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids were conserved. High levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) in pompano and snook eggs (respectively 2.44 ± 0.1 and 5.43 ± 0.3 % of total fatty acids), as well as selective retention in the unfed larvae, suggested a high dietary requirement for this fatty acid during the early stages of larval development. The effect of an ARA supplementation was therefore investigated in snook larvae at the rotifer feeding stage. Larvae receiving the supplementation did incorporate higher levels of ARA, and DHA/EPA and ARA/EPA ratios were successfully modified to match those observed in wild eggs. No significant improvements in growth or survival were observed, however the success in fatty acid profile modification suggest a possible impact of the supplementation on a longer period of time and a possible effect on stress resistance. Probiotics have been shown to enhance larval performances of several species and this strategy was therefore investigated to evaluate a potential impact on Florida pompano, red drum and common snook larvae. The effect of a commercial mix of Bacillus sp. was studied on larval survival, growth and digestive enzyme activities. Larvae were fed either live feed enriched with Algamac 3050 (Control), Algamac 3050 and probiotics (PB), or the previous diet combined with a daily addition of probiotics to the tank water (PB+). Microbiological analyses were performed at the end of the pompano trial. Numbers of presumptive Vibrio sp. were low and not statistically different between treatments, therefore no additional microbiological analyses were performed on the system. At the end of the pompano and snook trial, standard lengths of larvae from the PB and PB+ treatments were significantly greater than for the control larvae. For both pompano and snook, trypsin specific activity was higher in PB and PB+ larvae compared to the control larvae. Similarly, alkaline phosphatase activity was higher for the pompano larvae fed the PB and PB+ treatments and for the snook larvae fed the PB+ treatment compared to the control larvae. No enhancement of growth or digestive enzymes activities was observed in red drum larvae. Yet, no negative effects were noticed and a longer trial period and the study of additional parameters could reveal different effects. In all three species, survival was not affected by the supplementation; however, stress exposure should be further investigated as the supplementation may strengthen the larvae, especially pompano and snook larvae where the Bacillus sp. supplementation appears to promote growth through an early maturation of the digestive system. Another key challenge in marine fish larval rearing resides in weaning the larvae onto dry micro-diets. This step is commonly concurrent with larvae metamorphosis into juveniles, with extensive morphological and physiological changes that are likely to influence nutritional requirements. In the present project, three microdiets were tested on weaning of Florida pompano larvae: Otohime, Gemma and a reference diet LR803. The experimental system was stocked with 11-day-old larvae, which were co-fed micro-diets and live food from 11 dph to 17 dph then micro-diets only until 28 dph. Survival from 11 dph to 28 dph was similar for all treatments, with an average of 33 %. At the end of the trial, the Gemma larvae were significantly longer and heavier than larvae fed the other diets. Fatty acid composition of the diets and larvae varied significantly between treatments. The Gemma larvae incorporated the lowest amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). However, they presented the highest DHA/EPA and ARA/EPA ratios, supporting the concept that the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids are of greater importance than their absolute amount. Results from the enzyme analysis showed that fishmeal is a suitable main source of protein for Florida pompano larvae and demonstrated the full functionality of the pancreas at 16 days post hatch. These results provide the basis of a suitable weaning diet for pompano larvae and indicate the possibility of a weaning time prior to 16 days post hatch, which is of high interest in commercial production. Overall, this research provides new data on common snook, pompano and red drum nutritional requirements with results that can be directly applied to help overcome major bottlenecks in the hatchery phase and improve rearing protocols.

O Ensaio Cometa (Eletroforese em Gel de Célula Única) foi aplicado ao estudo do potencial genotóxico da β-naftoflavona (BNF) em exposição in vivo a eritrócitos de robalos, Centropomus parallelus. Condições específicas para o ensaio cometa de células de sangue de robalos foram estabelecidas com base em informações obtidas em literatura; e através de experimentos com exposição in vitro a diferentes concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio, e com desenrolamento e eletroforese em diferentes alcalinidades e voltagens. Para avaliar o potencial genotóxico da BNF, os peixes foram expostos a 1ppm e 5ppm de BNF por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Controles foram mantidos em água do mar e em água do mar com DMSO, utilizado com solvente. Células de sangue foram coletadas, submetidas a ensaio cometa em versão alcalina de pH>13 e coradas por prata. Os cometas foram analisados por métodos visuais, incluindo Índice de Danos, Porcentagem de Danos e Freqüência de Danos, e através do sistema de análise de imagem ScionImage. Exposições in vitro de eritrócitos a H2O2 resultaram em relação dose-resposta em pH 12,6 e pH>13, indicando aplicabilidade do ensaio a células de sangue de robalos. Exposições in vivo a BNF indicaram tendência a maior Índice de Danos em grupos expostos comparados a controles, porém não ocorreu diferença significativa estatisticamente. A grande amplitude de variação dos dados, em controles e nos demais grupos experimentais, dificultou sua análise e interpretação. / Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis or Comet Assay was applied to study the genotoxic potential of exposure in vivo to β-naphthoflavone (BNF) on erythrocytes of fat snook, Centropomus parallelus. Specific conditions for the comet assay on fat snook blood cells were established based on information obtained from literature together with results of experiments in which slides were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, submitted to unwinding and electrophoresis at different alkalinity and different voltages. To assess the genotoxic potential of BNF, fish were exposed in vivo to 1ppm and 5ppm of BNF for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Controls were exposed to sea water only and sea water plus DMSO, used as carrier. Blood cells were collected, submitted to alkaline version of comet assay at pH>13 and silver stained. Comets were analyzed by visual methods including Damage Index, Percentage of Damage and Frequency of Damage, and by ScionImage image analysis system. In vitro expositions of erythrocytes to H2O2 resulted in dose-response relationship, at pH 12,6 and pH>13, indicating applicability of the assay to blood cells of fat snook. In vivo exposure to BNF showed a slight tendency towards a higher Damage Index, though not statistically significant, in exposed groups as compared to controls. Wide amplitude of variations of data, in the controls as well as in other experimental groups, made their analysis and interpretation difficult.

O Ensaio Cometa (Eletroforese em Gel de Célula Única) foi aplicado ao estudo do potencial genotóxico da β-naftoflavona (BNF) em exposição in vivo a eritrócitos de robalos, Centropomus parallelus. Condições específicas para o ensaio cometa de células de sangue de robalos foram estabelecidas com base em informações obtidas em literatura; e através de experimentos com exposição in vitro a diferentes concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio, e com desenrolamento e eletroforese em diferentes alcalinidades e voltagens. Para avaliar o potencial genotóxico da BNF, os peixes foram expostos a 1ppm e 5ppm de BNF por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Controles foram mantidos em água do mar e em água do mar com DMSO, utilizado com solvente. Células de sangue foram coletadas, submetidas a ensaio cometa em versão alcalina de pH>13 e coradas por prata. Os cometas foram analisados por métodos visuais, incluindo Índice de Danos, Porcentagem de Danos e Freqüência de Danos, e através do sistema de análise de imagem ScionImage. Exposições in vitro de eritrócitos a H2O2 resultaram em relação dose-resposta em pH 12,6 e pH>13, indicando aplicabilidade do ensaio a células de sangue de robalos. Exposições in vivo a BNF indicaram tendência a maior Índice de Danos em grupos expostos comparados a controles, porém não ocorreu diferença significativa estatisticamente. A grande amplitude de variação dos dados, em controles e nos demais grupos experimentais, dificultou sua análise e interpretação. / Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis or Comet Assay was applied to study the genotoxic potential of exposure in vivo to β-naphthoflavone (BNF) on erythrocytes of fat snook, Centropomus parallelus. Specific conditions for the comet assay on fat snook blood cells were established based on information obtained from literature together with results of experiments in which slides were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, submitted to unwinding and electrophoresis at different alkalinity and different voltages. To assess the genotoxic potential of BNF, fish were exposed in vivo to 1ppm and 5ppm of BNF for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Controls were exposed to sea water only and sea water plus DMSO, used as carrier. Blood cells were collected, submitted to alkaline version of comet assay at pH>13 and silver stained. Comets were analyzed by visual methods including Damage Index, Percentage of Damage and Frequency of Damage, and by ScionImage image analysis system. In vitro expositions of erythrocytes to H2O2 resulted in dose-response relationship, at pH 12,6 and pH>13, indicating applicability of the assay to blood cells of fat snook. In vivo exposure to BNF showed a slight tendency towards a higher Damage Index, though not statistically significant, in exposed groups as compared to controls. Wide amplitude of variations of data, in the controls as well as in other experimental groups, made their analysis and interpretation difficult.

In an effort to determine the optimal temperature for rearing Centropomus undecimalis larvae during the yolk resorption period, larval development was measured under four different temperature regimes (23, 25, 28 and 31 °C). The eggs were incubated at 28 °C until hatching, which occurred at about 17 hours post-fertilization. After hatching, temperatures were adjusted to the respective treatment levels. Measurements were collected from 25 individual larvae across rearing temperatures at the following pre-determined time intervals: at hatching, 24 hours post hatch (hph), 48 hph, and 72 hph. Morphometric measurements were obtained from photomicrographs, including yolk sac length and height, oil globule diameter, standard length, body height at anal pore, and eye diameter. Larvae in the 25 °C treatment had longer median standard length, body height, and more energy reserves than those larvae reared at other temperatures. The yolk sac and oil-globule were present up to 72 hph at 23 and 25°C, while these were entirely consumed after 48 hph in treatments at 28 and 31 °C. Centropomus undecimalis larvae had the highest growth rates during the first 24 hph, and this period corresponded to the highest energy consumption as determined by the decrease in yolk-sac and oil-globule volume. Survival was assessed during the third trial only. The 31 °C treatment presented the worst survival percentages, with a maximum survival of 37.2% at 24 hph, and 100% mortality at 72 hph. The 25 °C treatment featured higher survival at the end of the trial than the other treatments with 1.7% survival. Eye diameter didn't vary significantly with time and was not a useful parameter for tracking development during yolk resorption. These results led to the conclusion that 25 °C was the optimal temperature to raise snook larvae during the yolk-resorption period.

The common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, is an estuarine dependent sport fish that relies upon subtidal wetlands as nursery habitat. Despite the economic and recreational significance of this species, there are portions of its life history and biology that are poorly understood, particularly its early life history. Understanding juvenile snook use of wetland habitats is crucial given the rapid loss and degradation of these areas to anthropogenic impacts. Young-of-the-year snook were collected in pond and creek habitats of a single wetland system to assess early life ecology and habitat use. Proxies of habitat quality were used to determine which habitats within a small spatial scale were optimal for young-of-the-year snook recruitment. Results indicated that even on a very small spatial scale, differences in habitat use were apparent, whereby smaller snook initially recruited to pond habitats and dedicated all energy into growth. Upon reaching a size of at least 40 mm SL snook began an ontogenetic habitat shift and moved to the tidal creek habitat. There, snook began to store energy, thus becoming more robust. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses confirmed the ontogenetic habitat shift and revealed that snook have high site fidelity within the pond and creek habitats. Stable isotopic analysis also indicated that YOY snook appear to feed at the third trophic level consuming neonatal poecilliids and shrimp, and ultimately rely on benthic microalgae and particulate organic matter as basal resources. Results of this study advance the knowledge of juvenile snook ecology and will likely have implications for resource managers who are responsible for preserving and restoring wetland habitats upon which juvenile snook rely.

With the majority of Earth’s population living in coastal areas, estuarine ecosystems have been particularly affected by anthropogenic disturbances. My dissertation research focused on three interrelated types of human disturbance that affect estuaries: Anthropogenic alteration of freshwater inflow, the introduction of invasive species, and habitat alteration. Using the LoxahatcheeRiver(Jupiter, FL) as a model system, my goal was to understand how these disturbances affect estuarine organisms, particularly fishes. One of the most ecologically harmful disturbances affecting estuaries is anthropogenic alteration of freshwater inflow (and resulting changes in salinity patterns). To identify effects of freshwater inflow on the behavior of an ecologically and economically important fish (common snook Centropomus undecimalis), I conducted a 19-month acoustic telemetry study. Common snook were more abundant and made more frequent upstream migrations during the wet season, but freshwater inflow did not appear to be the proximate cause for these behaviors. Increased estuarine salinity resulting from anthropogenic flow alteration may have facilitated the second type of disturbance that I address in this dissertation; the invasion of non-native Indo-Pacific lionfish into estuarine habitats. During the course of my dissertation research, I documented the first ever estuarine invasion by non-native lionfish. Using mark-recapture, I identified high site fidelity in lionfish, a trait that may aid future control efforts. The extremely low minimum salinity tolerance that I identified in lionfish appears to have allowed the species to colonize far upriver in estuaries with anthropogenically modified salinity patterns. Anthropogenic salinity alteration has also led to a severe degradation of oyster reef habitats in theLoxahatcheeRiver. As a foundation species, oysters provide food, shelter, and nursery habitat for a wide variety of estuarine organisms, including many ecologically and economically important fishes. Increasingly, degraded oyster reef habitats have been the focus of restoration efforts. I identified a relatively rapid (< 2 years) convergence between restored and natural oyster reef communities, and documented the importance of vertical relief in restoration success. My dissertation research is critical for the management and conservation of coastal rivers inFlorida, while more broadly informing restoration and management decisions in many other estuarine and coastal ecosystems.

Das Menschmodell MANIKIN bietet dem Anwender neue Möglichkeiten in der Analyse des arbeitstechnischen Umfeldes in der bekannten Pro/ENGINEER Umgebung. Dazu kann auf eine anthropometrische Datenbank zurückgegriffen werden. Neben einfachen Analysen, wie Reichweite und Sichtfenster, steht auch ein umfangreiches Angebot an Ergonomie-Analysen zur Untersuchung von Arbeitsprozessen zur Verfügung. Diese basieren auf den bekannten Grundlagen wie RULA, SNOOK und NIOSH91. Weiterhin ist das Modell gut zur Animation von Menschen bzw. Mensch-Maschine-Interaktionen geeignet, wobei hier ein spezielles Wissen über den Aufbau und den Einsatz von Körpersperrbedingungen zuträglich ist.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Os robalos sÃo peixes muito apreciados pelo pÃblico consumidor de pescado e pelos pescadores amadores, pois possuem carne de excelente qualidade e proporcionam grande combatividade quando capturados com linha. Tais caracterÃsticas tornam este grupo de peixes alvo de distintos usuÃrios, finalidades e necessidades (pesca comercial e pesca amadora), que aliadas à perda de parte do habitat (manguezais) indicam sua fragilidade. Nos Ãltimos anos, uma reduÃÃo nas capturas de robalo-peva (Centropomus parallelus) vem sendo sugerida pelos pescadores amadores e artesanais no litoral do ParanÃ. Na ausÃncia de estatÃsticas pesqueiras que possibilitassem investigar a suposta deplecÃÃo deste recurso, o presente trabalho buscou realizar uma avaliaÃÃo preliminar deste estoque, fundamentada no acompanhamento de campeonatos de pesca esportiva e no estudo do crescimento da espÃcie. Os dados foram obtidos atravÃs do acompanhamento das capturas de 9 torneios de pesca esportiva, direcionados Ãs espÃcies C. parallelus e Centropomus undecimalis, realizados pela Liga Paranaense de Pesca Esportiva (LPPE), entre novembro de 2005 e setembro de 2007, nos estuÃrios BaÃa de Paranaguà e BaÃa de Guaratuba (25 44â S e 48 22â W). Foram registrados 3.290 exemplares de C. parallelus, com comprimentos totais compreendidos entre 10,00 e 69,00 cm e 158 exemplares de C. undecimalis, com comprimentos entre 14,00 e 68,00 cm. A forte dominÃncia especÃfica (>95%) justificou a Ãnfase deste trabalho sobre C. parallelus. A relaÃÃo pesocomprimento indicou desenvolvimento somÃtico isomÃtrico para as duas espÃcies. A mÃdia da Captura por Unidade de EsforÃo (CPUE) foi estimada em 0,977 exemplar/embarcaÃÃo/hora e 0,328 Kg/embarcaÃÃo/ hora. Para o estudo do crescimento, foram abatidos somente 159 exemplares para a extraÃÃo dos otÃlitos sagittae, todos os demais exemplares registrados (3290), foram soltos dentro das regras de pesque-e-solte exigidas pela LPPE. A partir da anÃlise da macroestrutura dos otÃlitos, foram estimados os parÃmetros de crescimento de von Bertalanffy atravÃs de distintas metodologias de retrocÃlculo (Fraser-Lee, BPH linear, SPH linear, BPH potencial e SPH potencial) e de ajuste da curva de crescimento (Ford-Walford e rotina eletrÃnica). Os parÃmetros mais adequados aos conhecimentos anteriores sobre a biologia da espÃcie foram K= 0,13, L = 79,0 cm e t0 = 0. A anÃlise das freqÃÃncias de comprimento (ELEFAN I) corroborou com as estimativas de crescimento obtidas pela anÃlise dos otÃlitos. A longevidade (tmÃx) e o coeficiente de mortalidade natural (M) foram estimados em 23 anos e 0, 33, respectivamente. O comprimento e a idade Ãtimos de captura correspondem a Lotimo = 43.0 cm e tÃtima = 6 anos. Para os comprimentos entre 38,0 cm (5 anos) e 47,0 cm (7 anos), tambÃm foram encontrados valores elevados de biomassa relativa, em torno de 95% da biomassa mÃxima possÃvel. Na avaliaÃÃo preliminar do estoque de C. parallelus no litoral do ParanÃ, realizada atravÃs da anÃlise da composiÃÃo em comprimentos e da estrutura etÃria das capturas registradas nos campeonatos de pesca esportiva, foi constatada a ocorrÃncia de sobrepesca de crescimento, ou seja, a captura de grande quantidade de juvenis e poucos exemplares adultos (>35,0 cm), caracterizando um desequilÃbrio na estrutura etÃria da populaÃÃo / The snooks are fishes very appreciated food item by fish consumers and recreational fishermen, for they are endowed with a high quality flesh and put up a fierce fight when captured with line-and-hook. Such characteristics make this taxon a target for a host of users, objectives and needs (commercial and recreational fishing) which, together with loss of habitat space (mangroves), attest to its fragility. Over the recent years, a catch reduction of the fat snook, Centropomus parallelus, has been implied by recreational and artisanal fishermen of Paranà State. For lack of fishery statistics that would enable the investigation of this telltale resource depletion, the present research work endeavored to carry out a preliminary stock assessment based on the survey of recreational fishing tournaments and on the study of that speciesâ growth. The database was gathered by controlling the catches of nine of the mentioned tournaments, having C. parallelus and Centropomus undecimalis as target species, organized by the Paranà State Recreational Fishing League (LPPE), from November, 2005 to September, 2007 in the estuaries of Paranaguà Bay and Guaratuba Bay (25o441S â 48o22âW). A total of 3,290 specimens of C. parallelus were sampled for their total length ranging from 10.0 to 69.0 cm and of 158 specimens of C.undecimalis in the range of 14,0 â 68,0 cm. The strong specific dominance of over 95% justified the emphasis of this investigation on the fat snook. The weight-length relationship showed an isometric somatic development for the two species. The mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) was estimated as 0.977 individuals per hour and 0,328 kg per hour. For the growth studies, only 159 specimens were submitted to the extraction of sagittae otoliths, while all the others were released according to the catch-and-release rules required by the LPPE. Based on the analysis of otolithsâs microstructure, the von Bertallnafy growth parameters were estimated by means of different backcalculation methods (Fraser-Lee, linear BPH, linear SPH, and potential BPH and SPH) and fiting of the growth curve (Ford-Walford and electronic routine). The most adequate growth parameters in the speciesâ population dynamics were K = 0.13, L = 79.0 cm and t0 = 0. The ELEFAN I technique has borne out the estimates arrived at through the length-at-age analysis. The longevity and the natural mortality coefficient were estimated as 23 years and 0.33, respectively. The average values of optimum catch length and age correspond to Lopt = 43.0 cm and topt = 6 years. About 95% of the maximum biomass were found to occur in the range from 38.0 cm (5 years) to 47.0 cm (7 years). The preliminary stock assessment of C. parallelus on the Paranà State coast, carried out by means of length composition analysis and age structure of the stock reported by recreational fishing tournaments, indicated the occurrence of growth overfishing, that is, large numbers of juveniles and few adult (>35.0 cm) specimens are captured, what characterizes an age-related unbalanced population

Changes in global climate will likely increase climate variability. In turn, changes in climate variability have begun to alter the frequency, intensity, and timing of climate disturbances. Continued changes in the climate disturbance regime experienced by natural systems will undoubtedly affect ecological processes at every hierarchical scale. Thus, in order to predict the dynamics of ecological systems in the future, we must develop a more mechanistic understanding of how and in what ways climate disturbance affects natural systems. In South Florida, two climate disturbances recently affected the region, a severe cold spell in 2010, and a drought in 2011. Importantly, these disturbances affected an ecosystem of long-term, comprehensive, and persistent ecological study in the Shark River estuary in the Everglades National Park. The aims of my dissertation were to (1) assess the relative severity of these two climate disturbances, (2) identify effects of these disturbances on community structuring, (3) compare community change from the 2010 cold spell with community change from another extreme cold spell that affected sub-tropical China in 2008, (4) assess the effects of the drought on predator prey interactions in the Shark River and (5) apply a spatial approach to predicting population resistance to these events. My results show that the 2010 cold spell was the most severe cold event to affect the Shark River in the last 80 years, while the drought was the worst drought to occur in the last 10 years. The cold spell drove community change that was predictable based on the traits of component species, whereas community change was less predictable using trait-based approaches. When comparing community change from the extreme 2010 event in Florida with the event in China, I identified three consistencies related to community change from extreme cold events that occurred across both events that will help build generalized understanding of community resistance to increasingly extreme climate events in the future. From the trophic study, I found that the drought reduced prey for estuarine piscivores. Not only was prey biomass reduced, the drought drove a compositional shift in prey communities from fish to invertebrates, which are lower in calories. Last, I found that animal movement may create temporally dynamic resistance scenarios that should be accounted for when developing predictive models.