Comparative analysis of surf-zone fishes at São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

This study analyses the composition, relative abundance, seasonal patterns and community structure indices of surf-zone fishes at Ilha Comprida, Santos and São Vicente, and Vermelha do Sul and Félix, South, Central and North regions, respectively, of São Paulo State. A total of 54,384 individuals of 99 species was captured, the highest values of relative abundance, number of species, genera, families and exclusive taxa were observed at Central Region, and the lowest ones at South Region. The relative abundance and diversity indices showed the same pattern for all regions, with higher values in summer-fall (higher values of water and air temperature and rainfall and lower salinity), and lower ones in winter-spring (lower values of water and air temperature and rainfall, and higher salinity). Faunal similarity increased from species to family, being lower between Central and North and higher between South and Central regions.