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The contribution of microphytobenthos for scallop Euvola ziczac (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) feeding in a shallow area of the south-eastern Brazilian continental shelf

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2005

Franciane Pellizzari
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Beira Mar s/n°, Pontal do Sul, CEP 83255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil
Carlos Alberto Borzone
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Beira Mar s/n°, Pontal do Sul, CEP 83255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil
Paulo Ricardo Pezzuto
Affiliation:
Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas, da Terra e do Mar, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Rua Uruguai, 458, Caixa Postal 360, CEP 88·302-202, Itajaí, SC, Brazil
Leticia Zehnder-Alves
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Beira Mar s/n°, Pontal do Sul, CEP 83255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil

Abstract

The general composition and abundance of microalgae in sediment, water column and stomach contents of scallops were studied at two Euvola ziczac beds on the south-eastern inner Brazilian continental shelf. These areas, which support an extensive demersal fishery, are hydrologically dominated by Tropical and Subantarctic Waters and exhibit a summer water intrusion of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW). The same genera of benthic diatoms, mainly <30 μmm, were found on sediment and scallop stomach samples. Despite the seasonal variation of hydrographic conditions, the composition and abundance of main benthic diatoms from sediment and stomachs did not change throughout the year. On the other hand, phytoplankton from the water samples collected above the seabed (mainly pelagic diatoms >30 μm and dinoflagellates) was composed of distinct taxa and presented a high seasonal variation in abundance. The prevalence of microphytobenthos in the scallop diet suggests the importance of this community to the sustainability of this valuable demersal fishery resource.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2005 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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