Distribution and annual occurrence of Chaetognatha off Cananeia and Santos coast (São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract

Plankton samples were fortnightly taken at three fixed stations off Cananéia (1958, 1959, 1960) and off Santos (1960, 1961) by vertical hauling. They contained the following species: Sagitta enflata, S. friderici, S. hispida, S. minima, S. serratodentata, Krohnitta pacifica and Pterosagitta draco. S. frideriei is a typical coastal water species. S. enflata is a typical shelf water species. S. hispida and K. pacifica were present more frequently in shelf water but they were sometimes very abundant in coastal water. S. serratodentata, S. minima and P. draco occurred sparingly in tropical water, however, very few samples were taken in this water mass. Three different maturity stages were established (juvenile, intermediate and adult) in order to study the annual variation of the Chaetognatha. A special breeding period throughout the year was not observed as great swarms of juveniles and intermediates were found in spite of the very small number of adults. Two series of samples taken off Santos at a fixed station (Pt. III) during a period of 24 hours in three different levels were also counted to study the vertical distribution of the Chaetognatha in this area. The three most abundant species were: S. enflata, S. hispida and K. pacifica. S. enflata was more frequent at mid-water. S. hispida and K. pacifica seemed to prefer the surface layer. The thermocline did not affect their vertical migration except for S. hispida. There is indication that S. serratodentata performs vertical movements. S. minima seems to live below 25 m depth. K. subtilis occurred exceptionally in this vertical series of samples.