Use of a nursery area by cownose rays (Rhinopteridae) in southeastern Brazil

Autor(es)

Rangel, Bianca S. ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Alexandre ^[2] ; Moreira, Renata G. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Fisiol, Lab Metab & Reprod Organismos Aquat, Rua Matao, Travessa 14, 321, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Botucatu, Lab Biol & Genet Peixes, Rua Prof Dr Antonio Celso Wagner Zanin S-N, BR-18618689 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Neotropical Ichthyology; v. 16, n. 1 2018.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

ABSTRACT Using non-lethal methods for data collection of individuals and participatory monitoring by fishermen, we provide the first empirical evidence of the use of a nursery area by neonate and young-of-the-year cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus and R. brasiliensis in southeastern Brazil. Two methods were used to collect data: (1) information provided by fishermen (reports, pictures, and videos) and (2) field sampling by researchers. A total of 746 cownose rays were captured; 113 have been identified as R. bonasus, 15 as R. brasiliensis, and 618 were reported by fishermen and could not be identified to the species. Records of newborns were made only in late spring and summer in 2015, 2016, and 2017, which suggests an annual reproductive cycle, with birth in late spring, extending to summer. A repeated use of this area by R. bonasus suggests that it is potentially important to the reproduction of this species. However, R. brasiliensis requires more studies. Small increases in mortality, resulting from increased fishing or other anthropogenic stressors, can have a disproportionately large effect on population viability. Thus, management of areas used during critical stages of the life cycle of rays is crucial to their conservation. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 16/09095-2 - Lipídios e isótopos estáveis como indicadores de investimento materno e estratégias nutricionais neonatais em raias vivíparas histotróficas
• Beneficiário: Bianca de Sousa Rangel
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 14/16320-7 - Impactos das mudanças climáticas e ambientais sobre a fauna: uma abordagem integrativa
• Beneficiário: Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa de Pesquisa sobre Mudanças Climáticas Globais - Temático