Observações sôbre a fauna bêntica do complexo estuarino-lagunar de Cananéia (SP)

Abstract

The benthic fauna of the muddy bottoms of the estuarine lagunar complex of Cananéia (SP) is poor. It is dominated by the polychaets species. The gas- tropod Littoridina australis varo nana occurs in high density in the northern region of the Cananéia island. Some species, occurs only in the Trapandé bay, near of the Cananéia bar. Five faunistic zones was possible recognize on the region, i . e . , zone of Renilla reniformis, Virgularia sp. and ophiuroids, zone of Macoma sp. and Tellina alternata . zone of Kalliapseudes schubartii and Phoronis sp., zone of Littorina australis varo nana and zone of hard bottoms. The Trapandé bay presents the richest muddy infralittoral benthic fauna of the complexo The influences of rivers and "marigots" in this fauna is pronounced. The fauna of the infralittoral stone bottom, of the Casqueiro Island is described. A hypothesis is prese" .te explaining the existence of that fauna.