DIVERSITY OF ELASMOBRANCHS CAUGHT IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF BARRA DE GUARATIBA, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Elasmobranch diversity in Barra de Guaratiba, RJ

Abstract

This study conducted a one-year survey of fisheries landing monitoring in Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, state of Rio de Janeiro, along the southeastern coast of Brazil, and close to the protection area known as Reserva Biológica de Guaratiba (RGB), an estuarine ecosystem that may serve as a nursery area for elasmobranchs. In a total of 671 elasmobranch specimens captured, more than half were from a single genus, with two known occurring species being under some level of threat. By comparing the results found here to previous studies, we observed a loss of taxa diversity and a shift in the most dominant species in the region. Additionally, eight species were absent, while two new species were registered for the first time. Continuous fisheries landing monitoring should be carried out in this area to better understand the long-term dynamics of elasmobranch populations and to promote efficient management and conservation strategies.