Intertidal and surf zone macroinfauna of Paracuru beach (Ceará, Brazil)

Authors

  • M. G. Viana Graduação em Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • C. A. Rocha-Barreira Instituto de Ciências do Mar da Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • C. A. Grossi Hijo Graduação em Engenharia de Pesca da Universidade Federal do Ceará

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14210/bjast.v9n1.p75-82

Abstract

The spatial and temporal variations of the benthic macrofauna in the intertidal zone and surf zone were examined in October/2003 (dry period) and April/ 2003 (rainy period), in Paracuru beach, Ceará. In the intertidal zone, a perpendicular transect was used, with points distanced to each other in 10m, from the supralittoral/midlittoral limit to the sea. Five replicates were taken from each sampling point, using a cylindric corer. In the surf zone, 5 perpendicular tows were conducted with a rectangular dredge, in the first 30m of the surf zone. The temperature, salinity and depth of ground water had little influence in the macrofauna zonation. Probably, the sediment particle-size and moisture were the most significant environmental parameters to the zonation pattern observed. The benthic macrofauna of the Paracuru beach was not abundant, being constituted mainly by the Polychaeta-Mollusca-Crustacea taxocenosis, in which Scolelepis squamata, Olivella minuta, Excirolana braziliensis and Pseudosphaeroma sp. were the most representative organisms in the study area.

Author Biographies

M. G. Viana, Graduação em Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal do Ceará

Aluna de Graduação em Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal do Ceará.

C. A. Rocha-Barreira, Instituto de Ciências do Mar da Universidade Federal do Ceará

Professora Doutora Adjunta do Instituto de Ciências do Mar da Universidade Federal do Ceará.

C. A. Grossi Hijo, Graduação em Engenharia de Pesca da Universidade Federal do Ceará

Aluno de Graduação em Engenharia de Pesca da Universidade Federal do Ceará.

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Published

2005-06-30

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2005)

Section

Research Articles

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