Distribution and abundance of carangid larvae in the southeastern Brazilian Bight during 1975-1981

Abstract

Distribution and abundance of the carangid larvae collected during ten survey cruises in the southeastern Brazilian Bight were analyzed. Trachurus lathami was the most abundant species in the surveyed area with 58.54 % of total carangids taken, followed by Chloroscombrus chrysurus with 15.22 % and Decapteruspunctatus with 12.17 %. Larvae of T lathami and D. punctatus were found all over the continental shelf while the distribution of C. chrysurus larvae was limited to the coastal region. Most of the species occurred all year-around but remarkably during spring and summer. This intensive spawning period of most carangid species seems to be related to the seasonal variation of the hydrographie structure of the southeastern coast of Brazil.