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Tese de Doutorado Hirose, G. L., 2009
ABSTRACT: Like in the majority of marine invertebrates, the Brachyurans have larvae in
their life-cycle which can be composed by several stages (zoeas) before they become
competent for settlement. During such phase, the larvae are exposed to environmental
variations, which influence their chances to survival and develop. Among these factors,
we can mention the physical and chemical variables such as temperature, salinity, light
and pollutants, in addition to some biological factors such as food availability and
predation. The Ubatuba region has particular features concerning its water dynamics,
with marked seasonal changes which may affect the coastal regions, promoting
horizontal and vertical changes. A process of mixing between different water masses
occurs promoting changes in the physical, chemistry and, consequently, biological
structure. This paper describes the distribution and abundance of the major Brachyura
Superfamilies found in the region of Ubatuba, its relationship with adult populations
and physical changes resulting from environmental and seasonal dynamics of water
masses. The plankton samplings were carried out seasonally during the years 2000 to
2002 in the inshore and offshore region of Ubatuba, SP, using a fishing boat, equipped
with 2 conical plankton nets (with a flowmeter attached), and 8 sites demarcated
arranged perpendicular to the coast. At each sampling site was recorded temperature
and salinity (from bottom and surface). During the study period was evident the
predominance of coastal waters (AC: T> 20 º C, S