Distribuição e abundância de tainhas e paratis (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) na Baía de Sepetiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract

Variations in the físh populations of mullets were assessed aiming to detect trends in abundances during their early life cycle and relationship with environmental parameters. Fish were sampled between August 1994 and July 1997 using a beach scine and environmental parameters of water temperature, salinity and transparency were taken at each sampling. Five sites were systematically sampled, two of them in the inner Bay, and three in the outer Bay near to the sea limit. Three Mugilidae species were identified: Mugil liza Valencienes, 1836; Mugil curema Valencienes, 1836 and Mugil platanus Günter, 1880; mostly juveniles in their early life cycle, being M. liza the most abundant species. Overall all mullets were more abundant in the inner Bay, where transparencies values lower and temperature values higher.