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Distribution, abundance and morphometry of Atlantoraja cyclophora (Regan, 1903) (Elasmobranchii: Rajidae) in southern Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic

A total of 459 individuals of Atlantoraja cyclophora were captured along the Rio Grande do Sul coast between latitudes 30º40'S and 34º30'S. Two surveys were performed, in the winter 2001 and in the summer/autumn 2002, using bottom-trawl between the depths of 100 and 600 m. This species occurred between 100 and 300 m deep, without significant differences in the frequency of occurrence and abundance (CPUE; kg/hour) between latitudes, depth and seasons. The sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 in all depths. In the study area, temperature ranged between 10.0 ºC and 17.6 ºC and salinity between 35.2 e 36.0 ppm. There was no correlation between CPUE and depth, temperature and salinity. Mean total length of females (53.2 cm) was significantly larger than males (50.9 cm). No differences were detected in mean total length between seasons, but mean total length was significantly larger in depths of 100 m and 200 m. The distribution of the frequencies of total length was asymmetric, indicating rareness or lack of juveniles in the samples.

abundance; distribution; occurrence; sex ratio; morphometry


Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia Neotropical Ichthyology, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura, Universidade Estadual de Maringá., Av. Colombo, 5790, 87020-900, Phone number: +55 44-3011-4632 - Maringá - PR - Brazil
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