POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF MICROCERBERUS RAMOSAE (CRUSTACEA: ISOPODA) OF THE INSTERSTITIAL FAUNA OF PRAIA VERMELHA, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Abstract

In this work we have studied the flutuactions of the populations of interstitials isopods of Microcerberus Karaman, 1933 in the Praia Vermelha of Rio de Janeiros litoral. We have found 4 differents species: M. ramosae, M. brasiliensis, M. parvulus and M. magnus, across monthly sample s in 3 stations of the intertidal zone, where M. ramosae was the most abundant of them. The differents environmentals parameters collected during the samples period, were analysed by the analysis of the principals components. The analysis of results showed a positive relation between the precipitation degree and the density of M. ramosae. The organic matter existent in the sediment showed a negative relation with the number of the specimens. M. ramosae were more abundant in the ressurgence zone where there was a little quantity of organic mane. M. ramosae reproduce herself continually across the year and this is waited to a litoral species of tropical beaches.