Aspectos estruturais e funcionais da comunidade de crustáceos (Decapoda) da Baía de Santos - SP

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to analyze the composition and structure of the crustacean (Decapoda) community in the Santos Bay - SP, using descriptors of composition, abundance and diversity. To evaluate the contrasts between numerical abundance and weight use, Shannon (traditional) and three weighted (H'Ht, H'Tr and H'Fun) diversity index values were compared separately using data from each. Thus, by means of linear regression, the correlation coefficient was calculated in order to test if the pairing efficiency. Then, when pairing was efficient (p <0.05), index data using numerical abundance and weight were evaluated by paired t-test, otherwise by independent t test. The order Peneiodea was the most representative in both number and weight, mainly because of the high participation of X. kroyeri, which was the most abundant species in most points, mainly in the bay side of São Vicente, in the winter and spring. The shallow and medium bathymetric bands were the sites with the highest abundance of X. kroyeri. The composition and abundance of the crustaceans of the Bay of Santos vary between the seasons, the depth and the sides of the bay. These differences were statistically significant between the sides, with the São Vicente side presenting the greatest abundances. There was a significant difference between seasons with winter showing the highest abundances. The diversity varied between points and seasons, with the greatest differences being that the highest values were observed on the Santos side. The Bay of Santos presents as an area of occurrence the shrimp of seven beards, mainly next to São Vicente, representing a relevant area for this fishing resource.