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Paracalanid copepods, common in tropical zooplankton communities, are known hosts for a variety of parasites. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the prevalence and consequences of parasitism in these copepods. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between two paracalanid copepods, Parvocalanus crassirostris and Paracalanus spp., with a common parasite, the alveolate protist Ellobiopsis chattoni, in a subtropical environment on the south-east Brazilian coast. We assessed the frequency and abundance of parasites in juveniles and adult male and female copepods. We observed that 22 out of 4014 Paracalanus spp. (0.55%) and 98 out of 3920 P. crassirostris were infected (2.5%). E. chattoni were rarely found in other taxa (about 0.05% for Oithona spp. and Acartia lilljeborgii). The parasites were most frequently attached to cephalosome appendages (73.6%), with up to four cells per copepod. The parasites were more prevalent in adults than juveniles, and adult females were more frequently infected than males. E. chattoni had a likely negative impact on copepod growth because the infected females were smaller than the non-infected females (p < 0.001). Females are usually bigger and live longer than males, which could account for their high frequency of infection.

We present a checklist with 23 taxa of the benthic phycological flora on three beaches on the northeast coast of Pará state, in the Brazilian Amazon, a rarely surveyed area for algae. Collections were made on substrates like rocky outcrops at Salinópolis municipality, and on trunks, branches and pneumatophores of Laguncularia racemosa and artificial substrates at Marapanim municipality. Despite the limited geographic scale of the sampling, we provide ten new citations for the benthic, marine and estuarine algal taxa of the Pará state coast: six Chlorophyta (Bryopsis pennata, Cladophora coelothrix, C. conferta, Gayralia brasiliensis, Pseudorhizoclonium africanum and Ulva chaetomorphoides), two Rhodophyta (Caloglossa confusa, Centroceras gasparrinii), one Ochrophyta (Bachelotia antillarum) and one Cyanophyta (Coleofasciculus chthonoplastes).

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread and cause many impacts, yet their distribution and abundance are unknown for the Amazon coast. We estimated the abundance and distribution of microplastics at a sandy beach on the northern Brazilian coast during April 2014. Sand was collected and analyzed at three depth strata (0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm). MPs (250–500, 501–5000 μm) from each depth were sieved and retrieved by flotation when necessary. We found 492.5 ± 556.4 particles m−3, with fibers comprising up to 95%. The abundance decreased with depth (61.5, 25 and 13.5% from the surface to 40–60 cm) and the deposition zone showed higher densities compared to the erosion zone. Although present in low to moderate abundance, MPs were widespread on the beach. The Amazon coast is an important area for fisheries and traditional communities, and further studies of its potential as a source or sink of MPs are needed.

Crabs of the family Pseudothelphusidae are restricted to the Neotropical region and new species are described every year. They are threatened by habitat loss and knowledge of this family is almost limited to taxonomy and faunal surveys. Here, we investigate the presence of heterochely and laterality in Kingsleya castrensis, as a tool to infer ecological and behavioural aspects. Since most Pseudothelphusidae were described from a few individuals only, some aspects of morphological variation, sexual dimorphism, heterochely and laterality are confirmed herein for the first time for a species of Kingsleya. The sizes of dactylus and propodus of males, as well as the allometric growth of both sides of the chelipeds, were significantly larger and higher, respectively, when compared to females. The right side was significantly longer than the left and both sexes displayed right-handedness. These results are similar to those from other freshwater crab families, and provide a clue to a possible aggressive, display, and territorial behaviour in K. castrensis.

The composition and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the Brazilian Amazon Continental Shelf surface waters are described for the first time. The study was conducted during the 2018 rainy and dry seasons, using 57 water samples collected with aluminum buckets and filtered through a 64-μm mesh. The samples were vacuum-filtered in a still-air box, and the content of each filter was measured, counted, and classified. A total of 12,288 floating MPs were retrieved; particles were present at all 57 sampling points. The mean MP abundance was 3593 ± 2264 items·m

This study represents the efforts of a network of researchers to characterise the large, floating Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) biomass that had reached the Brazilian coast in 2014 and 2015. Material collected during these events was identified as Sargassum natans and S. fluitans using morphological characteristics; ITS2 sequences showed low divergence (0%–3%) with sequences of nine other Sargassum species. Several epiphytic macroalgae, invertebrates and fishes were associated with the floating Sargassum. Satellite images did not support the hypothesis of slicks moving south from the Sargasso Sea in the northern Atlantic Ocean. This strengthens the hypothesis that there is a matrix of pelagic Sargassum in the central Atlantic Ocean and that biomass accumulation should be considered a result of the combination of physicochemical seawater conditions and biological interactions. The biomass accumulation of the stranded Sargassum was estimated during four events, peaking in 98 kg m−2 wet weight ...

Light-sticks are used as bait in surface long-line fishing, to capture swordfish and other large pelagic predators. When discharged in the ocean, it may reach the beaches. The traditional Brazilian community of Costa dos Coqueiros, Bahia, use light-sticks as a medicine for rheumatism, vitiligo and mycoses. It may affect the marine life when its content leak in the open ocean. This work evaluated and identified the acute and chronic toxicity of the light-stick. A high acute toxicity was observed in the mobility/mortality of Artemia sp.; in the fertilization of sea urchin eggs, and a high chronic toxicity in the development of the pluteus larvae of the same sea urchin. The main compounds that probably caused toxicity were the volatiles such as the fluorescent PAH and oxidants such as the hydrogen peroxide. Its disposal in the open ocean is a potential threat for marine life.

Despite the importance of jellyfish in marine ecosystems, many basic biological and ecological aspects remain understudied, especially in tropical regions. Here, we report on scyphozoan jellyfish distribution and ecology to the Amazon coast for the first time, adding the records of Chrysaora lactea, Lychnorhiza lucerna and Stomolophus fritillarius. We also review the records for the three species for the whole Brazilian coastline, describe temporal variability within an Amazon estuary and length–weight relationships. The three species displayed a widespread distribution on the Brazilian coast. In the studied estuary, the species are unevenly distributed throughout the year and their presence was not clearly correlated with environmental factors examined, although L. lucerna is more common during the dry season, as indicated by multivariate and correlation analysis. The length–weight relationships were significant for both L. lucerna (R2 = 0.86, P

Leite, A.A.C.; Queiroz, A.F.S.; Morais, L.M.S.; Azevedo, C.C., and Martinelli Filho, J.E., 2020. Zooplankton at the Northern Brazilian Coast: Evaluation and gaps. In: Malvarez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 12–17. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Research on planktonic communities in the Brazilian Northern coast started since the XIX century by foreigners, most of it being taxonomical surveys. The only literature reviews for the area are a technical report and a book chapter published in Portuguese by 2005. This article aimed to analyze the existing literature about zooplanktonic communities at the Northern coast of Brazil from a decade after the last review (2005 to 2015), to update and elucidate possible knowledge patterns and identify existing gaps. The bibliographic review considered the three states of the Brazilian North coast (Maranhao, Para and Amapa), in the libraries of educational and research institutions, indexing platforms and databases on the internet (Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scielo and Google Scholar). The most important parameters extracted from the publications were: year and language of publication, zooplankton density, dominant species, sampling mesh size, study area (by state), type of publication, coordinates, and research subject. A total of 222 publications were found, 45 (20.3%) referred to white publications (national and international scientific articles) and 177 (79.7%) referred to gray literature (do not published by peer review system). The Para state showed a higher number of publications than Amapa and Maranhao sates together. The publications were mostly about zooplanktonic community description, copepod ecology and taxonomy or experimental approaches, and sampling took place mostly on estuarine environments (87.5%). Richness varied from 4 to 68 taxa, while density varied from 0.01 to 962,400 org.m-3. Despite the numerous research in the period, there are important knowledge gaps, mainly in relation to collection sites, target organisms, and research subjects. Future research should focus primarily on oceanic areas (outer shelf) and on themes such as experimental ecology, biogeochemistry and long temporal scale surveys, so that a more comprehensive knowledge about zooplankton on the Brazilian Northern coast can be achieved.

Advances in ocean observing technologies and modeling provide the capacity to revolutionize the management of living marine resources. While traditional fisheries management approaches like single-species stock assessments are still common, a global effort is underway to adopt ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) approaches. These approaches consider changes in the physical environment and interactions between ecosystem elements, including human uses, holistically. For example, integrated ecosystem assessments aim to synthesize a suite of observations (physical, biological, socioeconomic) and modeling platforms [ocean circulation models, ecological models, short-term forecasts, management strategy evaluations (MSEs)] to assess the current status and recent and future trends of ecosystem components. This information provides guidance for better management strategies. A common thread in EBFM approaches is the need for high-quality observations of ocean conditions, at scales that resolve critical physical-biological processes and are timely for management needs. Here we explore options for a future observing system that meets the needs of EBFM by (i) identifying observing needs for different user groups, (ii) reviewing relevant datasets and existing technologies, (iii) showcasing regional case studies, and (iv) recommending observational approaches required to implement EBFM. We recommend linking ocean observing within the context of Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and other regional ocean observing efforts with fisheries observations, new forecasting methods, and capacity development, in a comprehensive ocean observing framework.

The genera Dissodactylus and Clypeasterophilus are commensal or parasitic crabs that live in association with irregular sea urchins. Only a single pinnotherid species is expected to occur on a sand dollar; however, during field observations, D. crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus stebbingi were found co-occurring on a single host (Clypeaster subdepressus). Laboratory experiments and in situ observations were conducted to explore mechanisms of host selection and use by C. stebbingi, as well as the possibility of competition with D. crinitichelis. Analysis of 213 specimens of Encope emarginata and 33 C. subdepressus revealed a high frequency of infestation (90 %) by brachyurans. The number of D. crinitichelis was positively correlated with the size of E. emarginata. During field observations and experiments, D. crinitichelis was able to colonize both echinoids, while C. stebbingi was found mainly on C. subdepressus. No exclusion was reported between individuals of the same sex for both crab species. However, D. crinitichelis may be territorial, since a single male occurred when adult females were added to the host. D. crinitichelis and C. stebbingi co-occurred on the same individual of C. subdepressus on rare occasions during field observations. C. stebbingi may exclude D. crinitichelis from the echinoid to avoid competition, as observed during the experiments. We suggest a species-specific association between C. stebbingi and C. subdepressus, while D. crinitichelis associated mainly with E. emarginata, but also with C. subdepressus. Both crabs may harm the echinoids by consuming their spines, but additional research is necessary to determine whether this is a parasitic association.

Kingsleya castrensis sp. nov., a pseudothelphusid crab is described and illustrated from the Xingu River, state of Pará, southern Amazon region, Brazil. The new species is characterized by the male first gonopod bearing a large, well-developed apical plate, with a broadly rounded, thick distal lobe. New records of Kingsleya junki Magalhães, 2003 extend the distribution of this species eastward to the Tocantins River basin, in the state of Pará, Brazil. © 2015, Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia. All rights reserved.

Vibrio cholerae is an autochthonous marine bacterium, and its association withdiverse planktonic crustaceans has been extensively investigated; however, the pres-ence of V. cholerae on individuals of most phyla of planktonic animals is still incom-pletely understood. The objective of this study was to analyze the distribution ofV. cholerae serogroup O1 associated with specific zooplankton taxa in an estuaryand the adjacent continental shelf of the southeastern Brazilian coast. The occur-rence of the bacterium was assessed in zooplankton samples, specifically on themost abundant taxa, using direct fluorescence assay (DFA) and direct viablecount–direct fluorescence assay (DVC–DFA) methods. Vibrio cholerae O1 wasdetected in 88% of samples collected from the Santos-Bertioga estuary and in67% of samples from the shelf. The salinity of the estuarine water ranged from21.8 to 34.6, significantly lower than the shelf water which was 32.1–36.1.Salinity was the only environmental variable measured that displayed a significantcorrelation with the presence of V. cholerae (P , 0.05). Vibrio cholerae O1 was detectedin chaetognaths, pluteus larvae of echinoderms and planktonic fish eggs(Engraulidae), all new sites for this bacterium.KEYWORDS: plankton; estuary; DFA; Southwest Atlantic