Centropomus undecimalis oriundos da Costa Norte do Brasil: bioecologia alimentar, reprodução, elementos-traço na musculatura e bioinformática para análise integrada

Abstract

The North Coast of Brazil harbors a valuable ichthyofaunistic biodiversity with approximately 274 species distributed along the coast of Maranhão. However, there are species that still lack data on their biology, ecology and quality for consumption. This research aimed to know the bioecology, reproductive biology, the quality of the muscle of the bass Centropomus undecimalis for human consumption after the oil spill that occurred in 2019 and to create an integrative tool for organizing reproductive data of fish using bioinformatics. For the knowledge of bioecology, past data were collected in articles with similar themes and we compiled the results to support strategies for the cultivation of the species in captivity in Maranhão. In reproductive biology studies, specimens were obtained from commercial fishing and laboratory analysis of the entire reproductive process was carried out.. Subsequently, biometric data, weight-lengthratio, sex ratio, length at first maturation (L50), biological indices and reproductive peak of basswere evaluated. For the knowledge of the quality of the fish for consumption, the presence of trace elements in the bass muscle was evaluated. The samples were analyzed and the data obtained were compared to international legislations. With the use of bioinformatics, the prototype of the software “ictiodados” was created, which uses information on biometrics and reproduction of bass (but which can be applied to any fish later). The bioecological results showthat it is still necessary to further evaluate the cost-benefit for the cultivation of bassin captivity.Reproductive biology indicates that the reproductive peak of sea bass in Maranhão occurs in the months of February, May and November. The analysis of trace elements indicated a contamination of the sea bass muscle by Al, Sn, Pb and Ba and altered levels of B, Cu, Cr, Fe,Mo, Ni, V and Zn. Regarding the use of bioinformatics, the prototype of the 'ictiodados' software was developed in order to organize and provide access to data by environmental managers and researchers and may be promising to speed up access to fish reproductive information.