Settlement is arguably the last stage of high mortality in the life cycle of many marine fish species with a bipartite life cycle, making the number of larvae that settle successfully to a benthic habitat a reasonable determinant of future population size. Habitat selection during settlement is likely an active process, however, much of what we know about settlement behavior comes from studies in coral reef ecosystems. This collection of studies examined the ability of estuarine-dependent fish larvae (red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus) to locate settlement sites based on information received from their senses, with a focus on the different spatial scales over which larval sensory systems operate. During the pelagic phase, red drum are exposed to elevated sound levels in the tidal inlets. This noise caused larvae to reduce their activity in the form of fewer turns, less time spent swimming, and a lower overall mean speed compared with silent controls. As red drum approached settlement size, but not at earlier stages, they responded to olfactory cues associated with seagrass beds, their primary settlement habitat. Activity increased in the presence of lignin, a compound associated with the cell walls of vascular plants. Also, settlement-size larvae spent more time in water masses taken from seagrass beds compared to control sea water, implying a preference for olfactory cues associated with estuaries. While settlement and post-settlement-size larvae positioned themselves near the benthos regardless of water column height or substrate color, pre-settlement larvae moved away from yellow and green (associated with the estuary) but not black (associated with a deep water column) benthic colors. Additionally, red drum larvae settled to seagrass and sand at a smaller size than they did to oyster shells, and they delayed settlement when a suitable benthic habitat was not available. These findings can be interpreted as evidence for an estuarine-dependent species taking advantage of cues available to multiple sensory systems in order to actively locate settlement habitats. / text

Submitted by Gizele Lima (gizele.lima@inpa.gov.br) on 2017-04-04T19:14:03Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação final Fernando 2017.pdf: 2932007 bytes, checksum: e32676aa6f49ab1358b671320dca8405 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-04T19:14:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação final Fernando 2017.pdf: 2932007 bytes, checksum: e32676aa6f49ab1358b671320dca8405 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-16 / Forty-nine specimens of the genus Astronotus were collected: 25 Astronotus ocellatus and 24 A. crassipinnis during the months of March (flood season), June (full season), September (low water season) and December (dry season) of 2012, in six floodplain lakes (five from the Solimões river and one from the Purus river): Baixio, Preto, São Tomé, Ananá, Araçá and Maracá. The individuals of A. ocellatus showed an average standard length of 18.2 cm and average weight of 234.4 g. Individuals of A. crassipinnis showed 16.6 cm average length and an average weight of 182.7 g. All hosts analyzed were parasitized by at least one parasite species. The parasitic fauna of A. ocellatus increased from 19 to 25 species with 15 new occurrences and 3082 parasites collected: 1098 specimens of Monogenoidea; 145 Digenea; 1800 Nematoda; 20 Copepoda; 7 Branchiura and 12 Pentastomida. For A. crassipinnis were registered 11 new occurrences and 2539 parasites were collected: 1318 Monogenoidea; 107 Digenea; 1090 Nematoda; 9 Copepoda; 11 Branchiura and 4 Pentastomida. The new records for A. ocellatus were the Monogenoidea species: Sciadicleithrum sp.; Tereancistrum sp.; Urocleidoides eremitus and U. paradoxus; Digenea: metacercaria Diplostomidae; Glaphyrostomum sp.; Crassicutis cichlasomae. Nematoda: Pseudoproleptus sp.; Brevimulticaecum sp.; Pseudocapillaria sp. and Spiroxys sp. Copepoda: Ergasilus sp. and Therodamas elongatus; Branchiura: Argulus multicolor; Pentastomida: Subtriquetra sp.. For A. crassipinnis except the Monogenoidea species: Gussevia asota, G. astronoti and G. rogersi, all other species were new records. The species with the highest prevalence in A. ocellatus was Gussevia asota (Monogenoidea) (P = 60%) and for A. crassipinnis was G. rogersi (Monogenoidea) (P = 79.12%). Brevimulticaecum sp. (Nematoda) was the most dominant species for the infracommunities in both hosts. The similarity of the host infracommunities was 67%. Astronotus ocellatus and A. crassipinnis are direct and indirect responsible for the upkeep of 26 parasite species, acting as definitive, intermediate or paratenic hosts. All metazoan parasites registered were larval forms except the Monogenoidea, Copepoda species and the Nematoda Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus. / Foram coletados 49 espécimes do gênero Astronotus, 25 Astronotus ocellatus e 24 A. crassipinnis, durante os meses de março (enchente), junho (cheia), setembro (vazante) e dezembro (seca) de 2012, em seis lagos de várzea (cinco no rio Solimões e um no rio Purus): Baixio, Preto, São Tomé, Ananá, Araçá e Maracá. Os exemplares de A. ocellatus apresentaram um comprimento padrão médio de 18,2cm e peso médio de 234,4g. Os indivíduos de A. crassipinnis apresentaram 16,6cm de comprimento padrão médio e peso médio de 182,7g. Todos os hospedeiros analisados estavam parasitados por pelo menos uma espécie parasita. A fauna parasitária de A. ocellatus elevou-se de 19 para 25 espécies com 15 novas ocorrências e 3.082 parasitas foram coletados: 1.098 espécimes de Monogenoidea; 145 Digenea; 1.800 Nematoda; 20 Copepoda; 7 Branchiura e 12 Pentastomida. Em A. crassipinnis foram registradas 11 novas ocorrências e 2.539 parasitas coletados: 1.318 Monogenoidea; 107 Digenea; 1 .090 Nematoda; 9 Copepoda; 11 Branchiura e 4 Pentastomida. As novas ocorrências para A. ocellatus foram, Monogenoidea: Sciadicleithrum sp.; Tereancistrum sp.; Urocleidoides eremitus e U. paradoxus; Digenea: metacercária de Diplostomidae; Glaphyrostomum sp.; Crassicutis cichlasomae. Nematoda: Pseudoproleptus sp.; Brevimulticaecum sp.; Pseudocapillaria sp. e Spiroxys sp. Copepoda: Ergasilus sp. e Therodamas elongatus; Branchiura: Argulus multicolor; Pentastomida: Subtriquetra sp.. Para A. crassipinnis com exceção das espécies de Monogenoidea: Gussevia asota, G. astronoti e G. rogersi, todas as demais espécies foram novas ocorrências. A espécie com maior prevalência para A. ocellatus foi Gussevia asota (Monogenoidea) (P=60%) e para A. crassipinnis foi G. rogersi (Monogenoidea) (P=79,12%). Brevimulticaecum sp. (Nematoda) foi à espécie mais dominante para as infracomunidades de ambos hospedeiros. A similaridade das infracomunidades dos hospedeiros apresentou 67%. Astronotus ocellatus e A. crassipinnis são mantedoras diretas ou indiretas de 26 espécies de invertebrados parasitas e ocorrerem como hospedeiros definitivos, intermediários e ou paratênicos. Todos os metazoários parasitas eram formas larvais exceto as espécies de Monogenoidea e o Nematoda Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus.

While substantial progress has been made in replacing live prey with artificial diets in the feeding of marine fish larvae, it still remains impossible to successfully rear larvae on artificial diets without some period of co-feeding live prey or algae. This study investigated the presence and role of the gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) in the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to gain a better understanding of the factors limiting the utilization of artificial diets by red drum larvae. Work with other fish species has shown that CCK is the principal hormone which regulates the release of pancreatic enzymes into the gut lumen and emphasizes the potential importance of CCK in early red drum larvae. This work investigated the hypothesis that some signal present in the live prey or algae stimulates CCK and thereby initiates the digestive process in the larvae. First, the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the putative red drum cholecystokinin precursor was determined and the development of CCK immunoreactive cells was examined. This work showed that red drum CCK is highly similar to CCK in other vertebrates and can be detected in the digestive tract of larval red drum within three days after the initiation of exogenous feeding. Next; postprandial trypsin, CCK, and CCK mRNA responses were quantified in red drum juveniles and larvae over a three hour period. Both CCK and trypsin were increased within thirty minutes following feeding while CCK mRNA levels were increased within the next two to three hours. Finally, the trypsin, CCK, and CCK mRNA responses of red drum larvae to homogenates of live prey and algae were examined. Homogenized rotifers appeared to be sufficient to induce both the CCK and trypsin responses in larval red drum. These results suggest that in addition to other factors, some component of live prey may initiate the release of CCK and prime the digestive process. Understanding these factors and their effects in early larvae may allow us to formulate and produce a prepared diet which will support growth and survival to metamorphosis equal to that provided by live feeds. / text

Bayou St. John is a degraded water-body located within the City of New Orleans and is the focus of restoration efforts. I tested the ability of reintroduced red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to survive in this system and assessed their habitat use and behavior. I tracked 29 red drum fitted with external acoustic radio transmitters to determine if they could survive the degraded habitats and determine their general dispersion within the Bayou. All 29 tagged red drum exhibited post-stocking movement (i.e., survival) and occurred primarily in the northern section of the Bayou (nearest Lake Pontchartrain). To assess habitat use and behavior on a finer scale, a second group of 19 red drum were internally tagged with VEMCO transmitters and movements monitored by four remote receivers. These fish exhibited behavior similar to red drum in natural habitats. Monthly movements changed as temperatures changed but were not influenced by diurnal differences, salinity, or conductivity.

Submitted by Dominick Jesus (dominickdejesus@hotmail.com) on 2016-02-12T14:20:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Ramon Barros Baptista.pdf: 691769 bytes, checksum: ddf8f469023b77ce72d2178dc9fadfe4 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-12T14:20:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Ramon Barros Baptista.pdf: 691769 bytes, checksum: ddf8f469023b77ce72d2178dc9fadfe4 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-17 / Amazonian fishes exhibit a variety of strategies related to oxygen uptake in response to shortages of gas into water, related to their lifestyle and evolution. The Astronotus ocellatus is a species of extreme tolerance to hypoxia and some of their physiological, biochemical and molecular techniques could be evaluated in this study. Under conditions of severe hypoxia (0.5 mgO2 / L) the hematological parameters are primary responses and were adjusted to increase and make more efficient the carrying of oxygen to tissues, observed by the increase of hematocrit, the number of circulating erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, increased glucose demonstrated its importance in the supply of carbohydrate metabolism, especially in anaerobic glycolysis, in times of shortage of oxygen. Another strategy, and perhaps most important in increasing tolerance to hypoxia of the species was widespread suppression of metabolism evidenced by the reduction in activity of enzymes MDH and CS in tissues such as liver, heart and brain, as well as reducing glycolytic enzyme LDH in the brain. Increased expression of HIF-1α and VEGF genes in conditions of severe hypoxia revealed the importance of these, respectively, in the transcription of specific target genes related to hypoxia and increased vascularity of tissues, facilitating the transport of oxygen through the blood. As the oscar experiencing situations of daily fluctuation in oxygen levels in their natural habitat, an important strategy in the face of these periodic events is rapid and adequate recovery after hypoxic stress, observed in this work through the reorganization of hematological parameters, the enzymatic machinery and transcription of essential genes for the resumption of oxygen. / Os peixes amazônicos apresentam inúmeras estratégias ligadas à captação de oxigênio em resposta aos períodos de escassez deste gás no meio aquático, as quais estão relacionadas à sua evolução e estilo de vida. O Astronotus ocellatus é uma espécie de extrema tolerância à hipóxia e algumas de suas respostas fisiológicas, bioquímicas e moleculares puderam ser avaliadas neste trabalho. Em condições de hipóxia severa (0,5 mgO 2 /L) os parâmetros hematológicos são respostas primárias que se ajustaram para aumentar e tornar mais eficiente o carreamento de oxigênio aos tecidos, observado através do aumento do hematócrito, do número de eritrócitos circulantes e da concentração de hemoglobina. Além disso, o aumento da glicose demonstrou sua importância no abastecimento do metabolismo de carboidratos, principalmente da glicólise anaeróbica, em períodos de escassez de oxigênio. Outra estratégia, e talvez a mais importante no aumento da tolerância desta espécie à hipóxia, é a supressão generalizada do metabolismo, evidenciada por meio da redução na atividade das enzimas MDH e CS em tecidos como fígado, coração e cérebro, além da redução da enzima glicolítica LDH no cérebro. O aumento da expressão dos genes HIF-1α e VEGF em condições de hipóxia severa revelou a importância destes genes, respectivamente, na transcrição de genes alvo específicos relacionados à hipóxia e no aumento da vascularização dos tecidos, facilitando o transporte de oxigênio através do sangue. Como o acará-açu vivencia situações de flutuação diária nos níveis de oxigênio em seu habitat natural, uma importante estratégia diante destes eventos periódicos é sua recuperação rápida e adequada após o estresse hipóxico, observada neste trabalho através da reorganização dos parâmetros hematológicos, da maquinaria enzimática e da transcrição de genes essenciais durante a retomada de oxigênio.

l evaluated the hypothesis that juveniles of species whose tail is important for predator deflection should allocate energy preferentially to tail growth at the expense of body growth. Relative linear tail growth (linear tail growth/linear body growth) and relative mass tail growth (tail mass growth/body mass growth) were measured for juveniles of two species of skinks: <u>Eumeces Fasciatus</u> that use the tail for predator deflection, and <u>Chalcides ocellatus</u> that does not use the tail for predator deflection. Experimental conditions produced an energy limiting situation under which the priority of energy allocation to tail regeneration should be exhibited. For <u>E. fasciatus</u>, relative linear tail growth was higher for the energy limited than control group and for the tail-removal than the tailed lizards. For <u>C. ocellatus</u>, relative linear tail growth was not affected by energy level but was lower for tail-removal than tailed lizards. For both species, relative tail mass growth was lower for the tail-removal than tailed lizards. The greater relative linear tail growth of regenerating than normal tails of <u>E. fasciatus</u> supports the hypothesis that rapid tail regeneration is important for a species whose tail is used for predator deflection. However, the low rate of tail regenerartion in mass suggests that mass gains in the regeneration process. In contrast, lower relative linear and mass tail growth of <u>C. ocellatus</u> that were regenerating tails suggests that tail regeneration has a low priority for this species. / Master of Science

Devido à escassez de estudos sobre larvas da ordem Pleuronectiformes principalmente no Brasil, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a ocorrência das larvas da ordem na plataforma continental Sudeste. As amostras foram coletadas com redes bongô e Multi Plankton Sampler (MPS) no verão e inverno de 2002. A composição, abundância, densidade, distribuição horizontal e vertical e, as fases de desenvolvimento larval foram estudadas. Foram coletadas, no total, 352 larvas de Pleuronectiformes no verão e 343 no inverno, com três famílias identificadas e 14 espécies. Os grupos mais abundantes foram Etropus spp., Syacium spp, Bothus ocellatus e Monolene antillarum. Etropus spp., Syacium spp. e M. antillarum ocorreram preferencialmente na zona intermediária até a isóbata de 200m, os dois primeiros gêneros próximos a cabo Frio e M. antillarum em Ubatuba. B. ocellatus ocorreu predominantemente na zona oceânica tanto em Ubatuba quanto no Rio de Janeiro. Em relação à distribuição vertical, as maiores densidades médias dessas espécies ocorreram nos estratos de 0 a 20 m de profundidade, no verão e entre 20 a 40m no inverno. Larvas em pré-flexão foram abundantes próximas à costa. As variáveis estipuladas, proximidade da costa, época do ano e local, e a salinidade apresentaram diferenças significativas com relação à distribuição observada. / There are few studies about Pleuronectiformes larvae mostly in Brazil. Due to that, this study aims to describe the occurrence of Pleuronectiformes larvae in the southeastern Brazilian coast. Samples were collected using bongo and Multi Plankton Sampler (MPS) nets in the summer and winter of 2002. Composition, abundance, density, horizontal and vertical distributions and stage of larval development were studied. A total of 352 larvae in summer and 343 in winter were collected. Three families and 14 species were identified. The most abundant species were Etropus spp., Syacium spp., Bothus ocellatus and Monolene antillarum. Etropus spp., Syacium spp. and M. antillarum occurred preferentially in the intermediate zone until the 200m isobath. The first two genera occurred near Cape Frio and the last one near Ubatuba. B. ocellatus occurred predominantly in the oceanic zone in Ubatuba and Rio de Janeiro. Regarding to the vertical distribution, the highest average densities of these species were in the strata of 0 - 20 m of depth in summer and between 20 - 40 m in winter. Pre-flexion larvae were abundant near the coast. The stipulated variables: proximity to the coast, season, location and salinity, showed significant differences in relation to the larval distribution observed.

Devido à escassez de estudos sobre larvas da ordem Pleuronectiformes principalmente no Brasil, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a ocorrência das larvas da ordem na plataforma continental Sudeste. As amostras foram coletadas com redes bongô e Multi Plankton Sampler (MPS) no verão e inverno de 2002. A composição, abundância, densidade, distribuição horizontal e vertical e, as fases de desenvolvimento larval foram estudadas. Foram coletadas, no total, 352 larvas de Pleuronectiformes no verão e 343 no inverno, com três famílias identificadas e 14 espécies. Os grupos mais abundantes foram Etropus spp., Syacium spp, Bothus ocellatus e Monolene antillarum. Etropus spp., Syacium spp. e M. antillarum ocorreram preferencialmente na zona intermediária até a isóbata de 200m, os dois primeiros gêneros próximos a cabo Frio e M. antillarum em Ubatuba. B. ocellatus ocorreu predominantemente na zona oceânica tanto em Ubatuba quanto no Rio de Janeiro. Em relação à distribuição vertical, as maiores densidades médias dessas espécies ocorreram nos estratos de 0 a 20 m de profundidade, no verão e entre 20 a 40m no inverno. Larvas em pré-flexão foram abundantes próximas à costa. As variáveis estipuladas, proximidade da costa, época do ano e local, e a salinidade apresentaram diferenças significativas com relação à distribuição observada. / There are few studies about Pleuronectiformes larvae mostly in Brazil. Due to that, this study aims to describe the occurrence of Pleuronectiformes larvae in the southeastern Brazilian coast. Samples were collected using bongo and Multi Plankton Sampler (MPS) nets in the summer and winter of 2002. Composition, abundance, density, horizontal and vertical distributions and stage of larval development were studied. A total of 352 larvae in summer and 343 in winter were collected. Three families and 14 species were identified. The most abundant species were Etropus spp., Syacium spp., Bothus ocellatus and Monolene antillarum. Etropus spp., Syacium spp. and M. antillarum occurred preferentially in the intermediate zone until the 200m isobath. The first two genera occurred near Cape Frio and the last one near Ubatuba. B. ocellatus occurred predominantly in the oceanic zone in Ubatuba and Rio de Janeiro. Regarding to the vertical distribution, the highest average densities of these species were in the strata of 0 - 20 m of depth in summer and between 20 - 40 m in winter. Pre-flexion larvae were abundant near the coast. The stipulated variables: proximity to the coast, season, location and salinity, showed significant differences in relation to the larval distribution observed.

Submitted by Patricia Barros (patricia.barros@ufes.br) on 2016-07-05T12:53:47Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) tese_7911_Ana Paula Guedes Oliveira.pdf: 1583593 bytes, checksum: 8fa7e1a1a8d154814d81dddf6cefba80 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Patricia Barros (patricia.barros@ufes.br) on 2016-07-05T12:54:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) tese_7911_Ana Paula Guedes Oliveira.pdf: 1583593 bytes, checksum: 8fa7e1a1a8d154814d81dddf6cefba80 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T12:54:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) tese_7911_Ana Paula Guedes Oliveira.pdf: 1583593 bytes, checksum: 8fa7e1a1a8d154814d81dddf6cefba80 (MD5) / CAPES / Objetivou-se analisar a preferência do peixe oscar, Astronotus ocellatus (Pisces, Cichlidae) pela disposição no aquário, tipos de substrato, de vegetação, de abrigo e de cor, bem como elaborar um etograma e comparar o comportamento desses em aquários sem e com enriquecimento ambiental. Foram utilizados 16 peixes nos testes de preferência e 30 peixes para o restante do experimento. Os animais tinham aproximadamente 13 meses de idade, com peso e comprimento médios de 17,4±1,13 g e 9,73±1,04 cm, sendo aclimatados antes da inserção nos aquários. Foram feitas observação do tipo animal focal. Para o teste de preferência considerou-se as regiões do aquário, tipos de substrato, de vegetação, de abrigo e de cor. Foram feitas observações durante 51 horas. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo os resultados analisados por meio do teste qui-quadrado e comparadas as frequências pares com o auxílio do programa estatístico SAS. Entre os aparatos ofertados, os peixes apresentaram preferência pelos cantos e fundo do aquário, conchas e areia, planta de sapo e telha, cores azul, amarelo e verde. O etograma foi elaborado com os seguintes comportamentos: empurrar, nadar sozinho, nadar em cardume, esfregar, esfregar objeto, cabeçada, bater, tombar, mordiscar, agitação, apertar, espalhar, amoitar, parar apático, furar grupo, esconder, canto de aquário, espantar, cavar, deitar no buraco, nadar sobre o buraco, comer, ataque, visualizar o exterior, quebrar planta e trocar de tonalidade. A maior parte dos comportamentos naturais não agonísticos não foram observados no aquário sem enriquecimento ambiental, com exceção d comportamento de comer que teve uma frequência de 0,7% no aquário sem enriquecimento e 1,5% no aquário enriquecido. Os comportamentos naturais agonísticos, por sua vez, foram mais frequentes no aquário sem enriquecimento ambiental, sendo que apenas os comportamentos de esfregar em outro peixe e furar grupo foram observados com uma frequência de 3,9% e 0,2%, consecutivamente nos aquários com enriquecimento ambiental. Os comportamentos anômalos foram mais frequentes no aquário sem enriquecimento ambiental. Os testes de preferência demonstraram que Astronotus ocellatus preferiram o fundo e os cantos dos aquários e optaram pelos substratos conchas e areia. Escolheram a Heteranthera reniformis e telha pois permitem melhor refúgio. Além disso escolheram a cor azul por favorecer a expressão de comportamentos naturais. Esse estudo foi importante pois favoreceu a elaboração de protocolos de experimentação para estudos de comportamento com peixes oscar. Além disso, possibilitou a elaboração de um etograma para a espécie constituídos de atos relevantes e que demonstram a importância da conservação ambiental na preservação da espécie. Os resultados também demonstraram a eficiência de enriquecimentos ambientais de baixo custo e fácil aquisição na expressão de comportamentos naturais da espécie. / The objective was to analyze the preference of the oscar fish, Astronotus ocellatus (Pisces, Cichlidae) by the provision in the aquarium substrate types, vegetation, shelter and color, and draw up a ethogram and compare the behavior of those in aquaria without environmental enrichment and environmental enrichment. A total of 30 fish during the experiment, and for preference tests were used 16. The animals were approximately 13 months old, average weight and length of 17.4 ± 1.13 g and 9.73 ± 1.04 cm, and were acclimated before insertion in aquariums. Observation of focal animal type were made. For the preference test was considered regions of the aquarium, the types of substrate, vegetation, shelter and color. The observations lasted 51 hours. The design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replications, and the results analyzed using the chi-square test and compared the even frequencies by SAS statistical software. Among the offered objects, the fish have a preference for corners and aquarium bottom, shells and sand, frog plant and tile, blue, yellow and green. The ethogram was elaborated with the following behaviors: pushing, swimming alone, swimming in shoals, rub, rub object, halter, beat, throw down, nibble, agitation, squeezing, spreading, hiding behind the plant, stop apathetichole group, hide, aquarium corner, scare digbed in hole, swim over the hole, eat, attack, view the exterior, plant break and change color. Most non agonistic natural behaviors were observed in the aquarium without environmental enrichment, except d eating behavior had a frequency of 0.7% in the aquarium without enrichment and 1.5% in the enriched aquarium. The agonistic natural behaviors, in turn, were more common in the aquarium without environmental enrichment, and only the behaviors rub on other fish and stick group were observed at a frequency of 3.9% and 0.2% consecutively in aquarium with environmental enrichment. Anomalous behaviors were more common in the aquarium without environmental enrichment. Preference tests showed that Astronotus ocellatus preferred the bottom and corners of aquariums and opted for shells and sand substrates. They chose Heteranthera reniformis and tile as they allow better refuge. Also chose the color blue to favor the expression of natural behavior. This study was important because it favors the development of experimental protocols for behavioral studies with oscar fish. Furthermore, it allowed the development of a ethogram for the species consisting of relevant acts and to demonstrate the importance of environmental conservation in the preservation of the species. The results also demonstrate the effectiveness of low cost and easy acquisition environmental enrichment in the expression of natural behavior of the species.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-06-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:48:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 paes_mcf_me_jabo.pdf: 990222 bytes, checksum: f08cd87c9c978169ebdb4fdbd5287e5d (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O Astronotus ocellatus é originário da Bacia Amazônica, climatizado e disseminado, desde 1938, em açudes e rios do Nordeste brasileiro, pelo Departamento Nacional de Obras Contra as Secas. Trata-se de um peixe de grande potencial, devido a características adequadas para pesca esportiva, cultivado como ornamental e com uma carne saborosa e apreciada pela população do Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. Existem na literatura atual poucos estudos a respeito da biologia reprodutiva dessa espécie. Embora seja de desova parcelada e se reproduza bem em cativeiro, estudos de reprodução artificial têm suma importância para diversas pesquisas de biologia e desenvolvimento embrionário, cujos eventos devem ser acompanhados numa faixa de tempo conhecida e assim contribuir para uma melhor compreensão do cultivo, manejo e controle da espécie. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a resposta do Astronotus ocellatus a aplicação de dois hormônios estimuladores de reprodução (gonadodropina coriônica humana - HCG e extrato de hipófise de carpa - EHC) e estudar a estrutura, ultraestrutura e morfometria de seus ovos e larvas. Foram utilizados 16 casais de reprodutores pertencentes ao Centro de Aqüicultura da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Jaboticabal (SP) e quatro desovas ocorridas naturalmente nos viveiros. Observouse que cinco das dezesseis fêmeas responderam ao estímulo hormonal, sendo três com HCG e duas com EHC. Dos machos, apenas um respondeu positivamente ao HCG. O acará-açu possui ovos demersais, adesivos, pouco resistentes ao tato, de formato ovóide pouco acentuado. “In vivo” apresentaram coloração amarelada, quando fertilizados, e branca opaca, quando não fertilizados, com grande esfera vitelina e pequeno espaço perivitelino. As desovas apresentaram ovos com valores médios variando de 1,75±0,056 a... / Astronotus ocellatus is a fish from the Amazon Basin, adapted and widely reared since 1938 in ponds and rivers of Brazilian northeast region by the Departamento Nacional de Obras Contra as Secas. This fish has a great potential due to appropriate characteristics for sporting fishing, reared as ornamental and owning a very tasty meat being appreciate by the people in north and northeast regions of Brazil. Despite having all these adjectives for aquaculture there are a few studies about reproductive biology of this species. Although spawning does not occur at once and reproduction in captivity is well successful, studies about artificial reproduction are extremely important for several researches in biology and early embryonic development of which events must be followed in a known lack of time and like this to contribute for a better understanding of rear conditions, management and control of the species. Therefore, this present research aimed to assess the Astronotus ocellatus responses to administration of two kinds of reproductive hormones (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin - HCG and carp hypophysis extract – CHE) and studying the structure, ultrastructure and morphometry of its eggs and larvae. Sixteen couples from Centro de Aqüicultura of Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus of Jaboticabal (SP) and four spawnings occurred naturally in ponds were also catched. Five of sixteen females responded to hormonal stimuli, three of them with HCG and two with CHE. In relation to males, only one responded favorably to HCG. Acará-açu females have demersal and adhesive eggs, somewhat resistant to the touch, discreet egg shape-like, yellowish colour “in vivo” and when fertilized and white opalescent without fertilization, with a large vitelline sphere and a small space between yolk and chorion. The spawnings presented eggs with average values of 1,75±0,056 ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)