Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences (2007) 2 (1): 27-39


Utilization patterns of surf zone inhabiting fish from
beaches in Southern Brazil


FABIANA C. FÉLIX 1, HENRY L. SPACH 2, PIETRO S. MORO 3, ROBERTO SCHWARZ JR. 1,
CESAR SANTOS 1, CARLOS W. HACKRADT 4 & MAURÍCIO HOSTIM-SILVA 5

1 Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP: 81531-980,
Cx. Postal 19020, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. Corresponding author: felixfabiana@ufpr.br.
2 Centro de Estudos do Mar – UFPR. Av. Beira Mar s/n, CEP: 83255-000, Cx Postal 50002, Pontal do Paraná, PR,
Brasil.
3 Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC. Av. da Universidade, 2853, CEP: 60020-181, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
4 Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná,
CEP 81531-980, Cx Postal 19031, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.
5 Universidade Vale do Itajaí – UNIVALI. Rua Uruguai 458, CEP: 88302-202, Itajaí, SC, Brasil.

Abstract. The ecological role of sand beaches as nursery ground for fish, by providing refuge, food and
protection, was sustained in this work given the dominant presence of juvenile fish, which corresponded
to 98% of total capture. These habitats could be considered accessory areas for transient fish fauna such
as anchovies (Anchoa lyolepis and Anchoa tricolor) and herrings (Sardinella brasiliensis) from close by
estuarine regions. These species presented an increase in size during the study period, which indicates the
nursery function of the area. Other species, such as juveniles of Trachinotus carolinus and Menticirrhus
littoralis displayed evidence of strong site-fidelity, and remained in the surf zones the entire year.
Harengula clupeola showed the most defined growing pattern, and apparently, bigger individuals move
offshore to reproduce in January, while they are recruited back in February. The abundant food supply
provided by the many small-size species also attracts the visit of predators such as Pomatomus saltatrix,
which doubled its size during the present study. In conclusion, the evolutionary patterns of recruitment
and reproduction established in accordance with seasonal fluctuations have made sand beaches important
spatial resources for many fish species, which comprise the lower levels of marine food webs, and are
consequently essential for the environmental health.

Key words: Sand beaches, ichthyofauna, nursery, recruitment, reproduction, Pontal do Sul.

Resumo. Padrões de utilização de peixes da zona de arrebentação de praias no sul do Brasil.
A importância ecológica de praias arenosas como locais de criação para peixes provendo refúgio,
alimento e proteção é sustentada neste trabalho devido a presença quase exclusiva de juvenis que
corresponderam a 98% da captura total. Esses habitats podem ser considerados áreas acessórias às
espécies transientes como as manjubas (Anchoa lyolepis e Anchoa tricolor) e sardinhas (Sardinella
brasiliensis) as quais apresentaram incremento no tamanho durante o período deste estudo, indicando a
função de berçário. De forma oposta juvenis de Trachinotus carolinus e Menticirrhus littoralis parecem
apresentar fidelidade local às zonas de arrebentação que são extensivamente utilizadas por juvenis
durante todo o ano. Harengula clupeola apresentou o mais definido padrão de crescimento no qual em
janeiro indivíduos maiores aparentemente se movem para fora da costa para se reproduzirem, com os
recrutas retornando em fevereiro. A grande abundância de alimento provida por espécies de pequeno
porte também atraem predadores como Pomatomus saltatrix que dobrou de tamanho durante este estudo.
Como conclusão os padrões evolutivos de recrutamento e reprodução estabelecidos em sincronia com
flutuações sazonais tornaram as praias importantes recursos espaciais para muitas espécies de peixes que
compõe estágios iniciais da cadeia alimentar marinha e conseqüentemente essenciais à saúde
ecossistêmica.

Palavras-chave: Praias arenosas, ictiofauna, berçário, recrutamento, reprodução, Pontal do Sul.

F. C. FÉLIX. ET AL.
Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences (2007) 2 (1): 27-39
28
Introduction
It is academically accepted that fish assemblages
of surf zones are numerically dominated by
few species (McFarland 1963, Modde & Ross 1981)
made up largely of juveniles with small body
size (Robertson & Lenanton 1984, Lasiak 1986,
Reina-Hervas & Serrano 1987, Gibson et al. 1996,
Clark 1997). These characteristics are usually
found in sheltered estuarine areas where the nursery
function has been well established (Gibson 1973,
Ruple 1984, Lasiak 1984, Ross et al. 1987).
The high dynamics of surf zones may act as
sheltered habitats and offer the same advantages of
protection against predators and abundant food
supply (McLachlan 1983, Ross 1983, Lasiak 1986,
Bennet 1989) to marine fish. These features are
provided by a continued wave action above
the sandy floor, making nutrients available
to marine food web (McLachlan 1980) and
diminishing visibility due to increased turbidity
(Gibson 1973).
In general, highest diversities and
abundances are found in warmer months
(Fox & Mack 1968, Naughton & Saloman 1978,
Modde & Ross 1981, Ross 1983, Lasiak 1984),
while small abundances are observed during
winter months. Conversely, Godefroid (1996) and
Monteiro-Neto et al. (1990), who worked on
sandy beaches in Southern Brazil, found
that smallest abundances of fish occurred in
spring. Many authors attributed the seasonal
fluctuation of abundance to temperature, salinity,
turbidity and wind velocity, with the latter
factor being considered less important during
long-period fluctuations and more determinant only
in short-time changes (Modde & Ross 1981,
Allen 1982, Ross et al. 1987, Lamberth et al. 1995).
Seasonal cycles in fish abundance and diversity
at beach surf zones can not be ascribed to
changes in physical conditions, but rather to the
reflex of recruitment patterns determined
by reproductive activity and coastal circulation
(Ross et al. 1987, Gibson et al. 1993, Lamberth et
al. 1995), which occur either by adult emigration
or temporary exploration of adjacent high
productivity areas (Allen 1982).
The present study aimed to provide
detailed biological information on size
characterization and temporal utilization of
fish inhabiting shallow habitats such as
sand beaches, and the particularities within each
species.
Materials and methods
Study site
The study took place at Pontal do Paraná,
Paraná State, Southern Brazil. The sampled area is
approximately 3 km long and is geographically
protected by prevailing East-Southeasternly winds
because of the presence of two islands (Mel Island
and Galheta) and submerged sand bars built by the
tidal regime of Paranaguá bay estuarine complex
(Fig. 1). According to Godefroid (1996), the studied
area is classified as dissipative with sediment grain
size diminishing from the entrance of Paranaguá bay
southwards. The beaches are microtidal (tidal range
< 1.5 m) with two ebb tides per day. Local weather
is classified as humid subtropical climate with warm
summer and undefined dry season (Bigarella 1978,
Angulo 1992). Precipitation reaches 1998 mm per
year and summer is the rainy season.
Fish assemblages were sampled using a
beach seine net, 15 m long and 2.6 m height with a
stretched mesh size of 5 mm, at 3 locations. Samples
were collected during daylight hours, between 6.00
and 10.00h from June 2004 to May 2005. Five hauls,
each covering 30 m in distance, were made per site.
Hauls were separated by 5m to minimize the
influence between them, and all samples were
collected at low water spring tides. The hauls were
conducted by two people, one on each end of the
net. The net was taken towards the surf zone by one
of them to a depth of 1.5 m, approximately between
10 and 30 m into the sea. Both sides were pulled
simultaneously parallel to the beach face up to 30 m,
when the deeper end of the net was pulled towards
the other net end.
All fish collected were identified to species
level following Figueiredo & Menezes, 1978,
Figueiredo & Menezes, 1980, Menezes &
Figueiredo, 1980, Menezes & Figueiredo, 1985,
Barletta & Corrêa, 1992, Figueiredo & Menezes,
2000. Specimens were weighted (g) and measured to
the nearest 1 mm (total length and standard length),
except when samples were very large. In such cases,
measurements were restricted to a sub sample of 30
individuals per species. The remainder was
weighted, counted and incorporated as weight and
number counts. In addition, sex (male, female or non
identified) and maturity stage were documented for
the sub sample through direct observation, according
to the macroscopic scale of gonadal maturation of
Vazzoler (1981).
To verify the environmental influence on the
faunal composition and structure at each site, surf
zone water temperature (°C), salinity (Practical