"Study of the bahavior and population structure of the sting ray (Dasyatis hypostigma) in Laje de Santos Marine State Park"

• Grant number: 13/25968-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Teodoro Vaske Junior
• Grantee: Isabela Cioffi Nascimento
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Marine ecosystem has been increasingly impacted and that's why marine protected areas (MPAs) are very important, bringing benefits that may extend to adjacent areas. However, to be effective, studies are needed to increase knowledge about the environment and all its species. Elasmobranchs are impacted by fishing and need protection, their loss can affect the entire food web. The stingray Dasyatis hypostigma, inhabits the Laje de Santos Marine State Park, city of Santos, state of São Paulo, and is found in shallow waters along the southwest Atlantic Ocean. Because this ray is little known, the present study aims to conduct a survey of data on Laje de Santos population. Data collection will be done through diving, individuals found will be recorded through videos and the information recorded on standardized tables. Data will be analyzed to determine patterns of behavior and population structure.