Sensitivity of the BEAM4 fisheries bioeconomic model to the main biological input parameters

Several runs of the BEAM4 model were carried out, combining several sets of input parameters from von Bertalanffy's growth curve (Lt = L-x[1 - e(-k(-to))]) and the natural mortality (M), with sets or parameters from the length-weight relationship (W=aL(b)). Further simulations were made with variations of +/- 20%, in the input parameters: recruitment (R), catchability coefficient (q), and the lengths at which 50 and 75% of the fishes are retained by the net (L-50%, and L-75%). The data used were those of the pair trawl fisheries for corvina Micropogonias furnieri, off southeastern Brazil. Results showed variations in the output (landed weight) ranging from - 62 to 147% associated with the diverse sets of VBGF and LWR parameters, and lower variations associated with the other input parameters tested. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Factors determining the structure of fish communities in Pantanal lagoons (MS, Brazil)

The fish communities of lagoons in the Nhecolandia Pantanal were studied to determine the factors which are responsible for the composition and abundance of species. Fishes were collected in 19 lagoons during August 1997, after their isolation from the River Negro, using beach seines (15 x 1.5 m; 2 mm mesh). A total of 51 species were collected. In the lagoons, or in parts with dense macrophytes, a screened box trap was used. Fishing was also accomplished with hooks of several sizes. Species richness was estimated by the jack-knife procedure, after adjustment to the log-normal distribution and with von Bertalanffy's equation (asymptotic). The most important factors in the community organization were macrophyte cover, piscivore abundance and depth of the lagoons. The role of these habitats in the Pantanal ecosystem was discussed.

Age and growth of the Scalloped Hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834), from the southern Brazilian coast

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estudo da diversidade de Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), na área entre Macaé (22º23'S) e Ilha de Santa Catarina (27º35'S): 1. Crescimento de dimensões corporais

The growth of body proportions of Sardinella brasiliensis was not homogeneous in the study area, between Macaé (RJ) and Santa Catarina Island (SC); the growth rates (K) of the von Bertalanffy growth curve were greater than growth rates for another áreas. In this area the biomass estimates for pelagic fish is poor, and near Cabo Frio occurs an upwelling zone. These facts permit the sardines to attain large lengths in this area. Between Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis the growth rates were lower than in the northern part and Paranaguá Bay. on the other hand the biomass estimates for pelagic fish in Rio de Janeiro-Florianópolis region was very high, and in this zone the population density is high and the growth rates are small. Paranaguá Bay is a particular region because of its geographical and oceanographic conditons; this is a shelter region with different features and the sardines living there attain small length. In this area the growth rates are intermediary among growth rates for fishes from Macaé-Cabo Frio and Rio de Janeiro-Florianópolis regions. Therefore, the growth rates for sardines in southeast Brazilian proves to be dependent of the population density, food and oceanographic conditions.

Biologia populacional de Cyphocarax modestus (Osteichthyes, Curimatidae) no córrego Ribeirão Claro, município de Rio Claro (SP)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Crescimento e mortalidade de Oligosarcus hepsetus (Cuvier, 1829) (Characiformes, Characidae) no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo Santa Virgínia, São Paulo, Brasil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biologia populacional de Cyphocarax modestus no córrego Ribeirão Claro, município de Rio Claro (SP)

This work aimed a better understanding of the annual cycle of Cyphocarax modestus in the reservoir of water captation of Ribeirao Claro stream. The growth parameters were estimated through the analysis of length distribution and the relationships among time of smaller growth, alimentary activity, fat accumulation and reproductive period were considered. Besides, the instantaneous rate of natural mortality was calculated. Monthly samplings were accomplished in the Ribeirao Claro stream, in the reservoir of water captation of Rio Claro city. For that, 50 m of wait net was used, with meshes of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 cm measured between adjacent knots. The ELEFAN I program was used to estimate the growth parameters, and its application was done using the FISAT program. It was also used the seasonal version of von Bertalanffy's growth curve. It was considered that the reproduction of C. modestus is annual and concentrated from December to February, allowing the identification of different modas in the distributions, an essential condition for the conduction of that analysis type. The estimated parameters were: K = 0.34/year, L [infinity] = 15.40 cm, C = 0.2, Wp = 0.6 and M = 0.949/year, with the identification of four cohorts. The physiologic sequence in the annual cycle of the specie could be noted when data of accumulated fat in the visceral cavity, alimentary activity, reproduction time and time of smaller growth were analyzed together. It was noted that with the beginning of the maturation of gonads, the energy resources stopped being invested in the growth and passed to be used for reproduction.

Mathematical models for Isoptera (Insecta) mound growth

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Growth of the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) (Characiformes: Characidae): which is the best model?

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Indicadores de desempenho em rebanho da raça Holandesa: curvas de crescimento e altura, características reprodutivas, produtivas e parâmetros genéticos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Parâmetros genéticos da taxa de maturação e do peso assintótico de fêmeas da raça Nelore

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Non-linear growth models for bullfrog tadpoles

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic trends in the expected progeny difference of the asymptotic weight of Nelore females

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Analysis of beef cattle longitudinal data applying a nonlinear model

The objective of this work was to evaluate the Nelore beef cattle, growth curve parameters using the Von Bertalanffy function in a nested Bayesian procedure that allowed estimation of the joint posterior distribution of growth curve parameters, their (co)variance components, and the environmental and additive genetic components affecting them. A hierarchical model was applied; each individual had a growth trajectory described by the nonlinear function, and each parameter of this function was considered to be affected by genetic and environmental effects that were described by an animal model. Random samples of the posterior distributions were drawn using Gibbs sampling and Metropolis-Hastings algorithms. The data set consisted of a total of 145,961 BW recorded from 15,386 animals. Even though the curve parameters were estimated for animals with few records, given that the information from related animals and the structure of systematic effects were considered in the curve fitting, all mature BW predicted were suitable. A large additive genetic variance for mature BW was observed. The parameter a of growth curves, which represents asymptotic adult BW, could be used as a selection criterion to control increases in adult BW when selecting for growth rate. The effect of maternal environment on growth was carried through to maturity and should be considered when evaluating adult BW. Other growth curve parameters showed small additive genetic and maternal effects. Mature BW and parameter k, related to the slope of the curve, presented a large, positive genetic correlation. The results indicated that selection for growth rate would increase adult BW without substantially changing the shape of the growth curve. Selection to change the slope of the growth curve without modifying adult BW would be inefficient because their genetic correlation is large. However, adult BW could be considered in a selection index with its corresponding economic weight to improve the overall efficiency of beef cattle production.

Herdabilidades e Correlações Genéticas para Peso e Perímetro Escrotal de Machos e Características Reprodutivas e de Crescimento de Fêmeas, na Raça Canchim

The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities of and genetic correlations among male body weight (BW12) and scrotal circumference (SC12) at 12 months of age, and female body weights at first (BWFC) and second (BWSC) calvings, age at first (AFC) and second (ASC) calvings, adult weight (AW), and mature weight (A) and maturation rate (k) obtained by the use of the Von Bertalanffy model. The restricted maximum likelihood method with an animal model that included the fixed effects of contemporary group and the random effects of animals, was used to estimate the variance and covariance components. The heritability estimates were equal to: 0.37 (BW12),0.30 (SC12),0.38 (A), 0.35 (k), 0.12 (AFC), 0.33 (BWFC), 0.04 (ASC), 0.39 (BWSC), and 0.38 (AW). The genetic correlations among BW12 and the female traits were: 0.19 (parameter A), 0.62 (parameter k), -0.58 (AFC), 0.69 (BWFC), -0.56 (ASC), 0.61 (BWSC), and 0.60 (AW). The genetic correlations among SC12 and the female traits were: -0.24 (A), 0.27 (k), -0.47 (AFC), 0.09 (BWFC), -0.67 (ASC), 0.07 (BWSC), and -0.17 (AW). These results indicate that male body weight and scrotal circumference and female weights (BWFC, BWSC and AW) and growth curve parameters A and k have enough additive genetic variation to respond to mass selection. Selection to increase male body weight at 12 months of age should result on favorable correlated changes in AFC, ASC and parameter k of females, but with increases in female body weights (BWFC, BWSC and AW). Selection to increase SC12 should result on desirable correlated responses in AFC, ASC and k, without any considerable change in female adult body weights.