Marine Biodiversity Records, page 1 of 7.

# Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2015

doi:10.1017/S1755267214001158; Vol. 8; e27; 2015 Published online

A record of the Southern Ocean

Gasterochisma melampus (Teleostei:
Scombridae) in the tropical south-western
Atlantic, with comments on previous records
sergio ricardo santos1 and gustavo wilson nunan2
1

Laboratorio de Biologia e Tecnologia Pesqueira, Depatamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do
Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, 21941-902, Ilha do Fundao, Cidade Universitaria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil,
2
Departamento de Vertebrados (Ictiologia), Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista s/n8,
20940-040, Sao Cristovao, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, Deceased

A male specimen of Gasterochisma melampus of 1,310 mm fork length, was accidentally captured with a fence trap at the bay
of Ilha Grande, in south-eastern Brazil (23809 S 44819 W) in August 2003. The specimen was captured alive and reported to
be in good health at the time of capture. Posterior examination revealed that it had fed recently on cephalopods. The occurrence of cold waters from the south that reach the area of capture during the winter months may explain the presence of the
species at such low latitude. The specimen represents the northernmost record of the species in the western Atlantic and the
third record of G. melampus for Brazilian waters. Morphometric and meristic data are provided for the specimen, and previous records of the species in the Atlantic Ocean are discussed.

Keywords: buttery kingsh, scaly tuna, scombrids, geographical distribution, new record, Brazil
Submitted 25 May 2014; accepted 21 September 2014

INTRODUCTION

Gasterochismatinae is a monotypic subfamily of the Scombridae

(Teleostei, Perciformes) that includes Gasterochisma melampus
Richardson, 1845; (Nelson, 2006). The species can be distinguished from all other scombrids by the presence of large
cycloid scales covering the body. Juveniles of the species are
easily identied by their large pelvic ns, which are longer
than the head in young sh (Nelson, 2006). These pelvic ns,
however, are proportionally reduced in size with growth and
are depressible into a deep ventral groove in both juvenile and
adult animals (Ito et al., 1994). The biology of the species
remains poorly known (Collette & Nauen, 1983); however,
molecular systematics and osteological analysis places the
species as basal within the Scombridae (Graham & Dickson,
2004; Orrell et al., 2006). The species can grow up to 195 cm
in fork length (Collette, 2010).
The known geographical distribution of G. melampus is
limited to austral latitudes between 358S and 508S, mostly
within the limits of the Southern Ocean, and is common in
the epipelagic zone in waters from 88C to 108C. The abundance
of adults decreases in waters above 11.58C (Collette & Nauen,
1983). Only two other scombrids show similar geographical
distributions centred in the Southern Ocean: Allothunnus
fallai Serventy, 1948 and Thunnus maccoyii Castelnau, 1872
(Collette & Nauen, 1983; Collette & Daz de Astarloa, 2008).
Corresponding author:
S.R. Santos
Email: srbs@ufrj.br

Gasterochisma melampus is recorded from the southwestern Atlantic in oceanic waters off Uruguay and
Argentina (i.e. below 358S) (Lahille, 1905, 1913; Cousseau,
1970). Voucher specimens conrm these records. Its occurrence in Brazil (i.e. north of 33845 S) is rare, with only three
previously recorded specimens, all of which were found off
southern Brazil in subtropical waters (e.g. 34818 S) (Coelho
et al., 1990; Lima et al., 2002). The species is not exploited
by international commercial shing and is regarded as an
occasional by-catch of tuna and swordsh sheries (Collette
et al., 2011). The conservation status for this species, based
on the classication of the IUCN Red List, is considered as
Least Concern (Collette et al., 2011).
Endothermy in teleosts is a rare specialization, restricted to
the Xiphiidae (swordsh), the Istiophoridae (billsh) and the
Scombridae (mackerels, bonitos and tunas) (Block, 1994). The
origin and extension of endothermy shows two distinct
mechanisms. Scombrids of the tribe Thunnini, except for A.
fallai, are systemic endotherms that have the ability to raise
the temperature of their brain tissue, viscera, and locomotor
muscles above that of the surrounding water. This is possible
due to a vascular system of counter-current heat exchangers
known as retia mirabilia (Block, 1994; Collette, 2003;
Graham & Dickson, 2004). The conjugation of systemic endothermy, the efciency of thunniniform locomotion and an elevated aerobic capacity allowed these scombrids to successfully
inhabit cold waters and thus expand their latitudinal and vertical distributions (Graham & Dickson, 2004).
In turn, Xiphiidae, Istiophoridae and the scombrids A. fallai
and G. melampus evolved minimum endothermy due to a
1

se rgio ricardo santos and gustavo wilson nunan

heater organ located beneath the brain (Block, 1994). This

organ, modied from the eye muscle, warms the central
nervous system (Block, 1994). While phylogenetic relationships establish a common ancestry for the heater organ of billsh and the swordsh, G. melampus is considered to have
developed the mechanism independently (Block, 1994). The
species also bears a layer of fat under the scales, which may
prevent loss of body heat (Collette & Daz de Astarloa, 2008).
As in the Thunnini, the heater organ of swordsh, billsh
and G. melampus allows these species to inhabit broader
thermal ranges (Block, 1994). Biochemical data for G. melampus, a species from one of the coldest thermal environments,
demonstrate a higher aerobic capacity in its heater cells when
compared to the cold water species Xiphias gladius and the
warm water species Makaira nigricans. Higher aerobic capacity
in the heater cells leads to more heat production for its brain and
eyes (Block, 1994). In M. nigricans, previous work implied that
the amount of tissue modied into a heater organ may be
responsible for the wider vertical distribution of the swordsh.
The present study reports the northernmost record of G. melampus in Brazil and provides meristic and morphometric data.
In addition, previous records for the species are discussed, with
emphasis on specimens from the Atlantic Ocean. A probable
cause for this unusual occurrence is also given.

Grande, a continental island located off the coast of southeastern Brazil at 23809 S 44819 W (Figure 1). The specimen,
measuring 1,310 mm fork length (Figure 2A), was captured
alive by local artisanal shermen, who reported that it was
in perfect condition. The specimen was donated to the
Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
(MNRJ).
The specimen was examined and photographed on
arrival at the laboratory, where meristic and morphometric
data were recorded. Gut contents were examined and
preserved in ethanol 708 GL. Posteriorly, the specimen was
xed in 10% formaldehyde and later transferred to ethanol
708 GL for preservation. The specimen is deposited at the
ichthyological collection of the MNRJ under catalogue
number MNRJ 37577. Abbreviations utilized in this paper
are the following: total length (TL); fork length (FL); head
length (HL); Brazilian National Museum (MNRJ); United
States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA); sea surface temperature (SST); South Atlantic
Central Water (SACW); advanced very high resolution
radiometer (AVHRR); high resolution infrared radiation
sounder (HIRS).

RESULTS
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Description

An adult specimen of Gasterochisma melampus was captured

in August 2003 in a fence trap at Aracatiba beach, Ilha

The head prole is strongly convex, ending at a terminal

mouth. The head is scaleless, except for the area between the

Fig. 1. South Atlantic distribution of Gasterochisma melampus, with indications of previous records (black squares) and the specimen presented in this paper
(white square) (based on Collette & Nauen, 1983).

new record of g. melampus from the western atlantic

Fig. 2. (A) Male specimen of Gasterochisma melampus, 1,310.0 mm fork length, from south-eastern Brazil (23809 S 44819 W) (MNRJ 37,577); (B) head of
specimen, showing the anterior nasal pore, the slit-like posterior nasal pore (red arrows), and the area covered by cycloid scales from behind the eye to the margin
of preopercle; (C) inside view of mouth, showing uniserial teeth on both jaws and the vomerine and palatine dentition.

posterior margin of the eye and the margin of preopercle, which

is covered by cycloid scales. The anterior nasal pore is situated
58.5 mm from the anterior margin of the eye and 86.0 mm
from the tip of the upper jaw. The posterior slit-like nasal
pore is 11.9 mm in length and is located 9.8 mm in front of
the eye anterior margin (Figure 2B). The rst branchial arch
has a total of 25 tubercle-shaped gill rakers covered with villiform expansions. There is a single series of small conic teeth
in both jaws47 on the lower and 58 on the upperdecreasing
in size posteriorly; the lower jaw teeth are slightly longer than
those of the upper jaw and are up to 4.9 mm in length; the
upper jaw teeth are up to 3.1 mm in length; and the roof of
the mouth bears a vomerine patch of villiform teeth and two
series of small conic teeth on the palatines (Figure 2C). An
interpelvic process between the pelvic ns is small and bid;
a ventral groove 488.0 mm in length extends from the origin
of the pelvic ns to the origin of the anal n. The rst dorsal
n is continuous with the second. The caudal peduncle has
two eshy keels as well as a dorsal and anal groove. The
colour pattern does not have identiable markings, and the
body is dark bluish grey on its upper third and becomes silverish on the lower two-thirds. The caudal n is darkish overall;
the anal n is silverish; the soft portion of the dorsal n dark
is bluish grey, turning lighter towards the apex; the spinous
portion of the dorsal n has translucent interspinal membranes;
and the pelvic rays are white, with dark-coloured interadial
membranes (Figure 2A). Measurements and counts of the specimen of Gasterochisma melampus are presented in Tables 1
and 2, respectively.

DISCUSSION

The buttery kingsh Gasterochisma melampus is a known

by-catch of sheries for the southern bluen tuna, Thunnus
maccoyii Castelnau, 1872, with which it shares a geographical
distribution (Collette & Nauen, 1983; Ward et al., 2004). The
reported distribution of the species and its previous known
record in waters off of the coast of southern Brazil (Collette
& Nauen, 1983; Coelho et al., 1990; Lima et al., 2002) make
the present specimen the northernmost record for the
species in the western Atlantic Ocean. According to Collette
& Nauen (1983), large specimens of 1,100 mm FL or above
dominate the landings of longline shing vessels in the
western parts of the Atlantic, Pacic and Indian Oceans,
while smaller individuals are more frequent in eastern
shing grounds. The large size of the present specimen coincides with this pattern.
Despite the suggested scarcity of adult individuals in water
temperatures higher than 11.58C (Collette & Nauen, 1983),
Cousseau (1970) and Coelho et al. (1990) have registered
the presence of G. melampus in warmer waters. Previous
studies on the hydrology of the bay of Ilha Grandea tropical
coastal environmentindicated water temperatures ranging
from 21.28C to 22.08C near Aracatiba beach (Miranda et al.,
1977), the locality where the specimen was caught. The cephalopod remains found in the gut contents of the specimen
indicate that it had recently fed. Although such an observation
does not conrm an extension of the known distribution
range of the species, the present record attests to the ability

se rgio ricardo santos and gustavo wilson nunan

Table 1. Morphometric measurements of a male adult specimen of Gasterochisma melampus captured in south-eastern Brazil (23809 S 44819 W) in
August 2003. The following data are presented for comparative purposes, organized by size. 1, Specimen from the northern coast of the State of Rio
Grande do Sul (Lima et al., 2002); 2, three specimens captured in Argentina (39810 S 54805 W) (Cousseau, 1970); 3, specimen from the entrance of La
Plata River, in front of Montevideo, Uruguay (358S) (Lahille, 1905).
Morphometrics (body)

Sample specimen (mm)

Total length
Fork length
Pre-dorsal length
Pre-anal length
Pre-pelvic length
Pre-pectoral length
Body width
Body depth
Height of anal n
Height of dorsal n
Length of pectoral n
Length of pelvic n
Length of longest dorsal n spine
Caudal peduncle depth
Length of 1st dorsal n base
Length of 2nd dorsal n base
Length of dorsal n base
Length of anal n base
Head length
Head width
Snout length
Eye diameter
Upper jaw length

% fork length

1,440.0
1,310.0
354.0
820.0
344.0
344.0
135.0
298.0
82.1
84.5
243.0
172.0
73.5
44.3
420.0
100.2
520.2
91.2
298.2
101.0
101.0
33.2
126.4

27.0
62.6
26.3
26.3
10.3
22.7
6.2
6.4
18.5
13.1
5.6
3.4
32.1
7.6
39.7
7.0
33.9
33.9
11.1
42.4

1 (mm)

2 (mm)

3 (mm)

1,260.0
1,140.0
303.0
705.0

140.0
280.0

192.0
190.0

40.0
363.0
107.0

90.0
285.0

29.0

1,325.01,360.0
1,100.01,213.0
310.0347.0
757.0824.0
295.0308.0
307.0310.0
200.0
345.0360.0

68.098.0
214.0243.0
203.0

393.0410.0
92.0105.0

87.092.0
282.0290.0

115.0136.0
31.033.0

1,550.0

400.0
900.0
360.0
355.0

330.0

75.0
250.0
170.0

430.0
110.0

100.0
340.0

154.0
33.0

found over the shelf in shallower areas in the Ilha Grandes

bay area (Signorini, 1980). Seasonal coastal upwelling of the
SACW occasionally brings cold water 300 400 km from its
origin toward Sao Sebastiao Island, about 115 km south of
the bay of Ilha Grande (Lorenzzetti & Gaeta, 1996). During
the winter in the southern hemisphere, larger horizontal gradients found on the continental shelf of south-eastern Brazil
are located in its southern portion, where cold waters below
188C advance from the south between 50 and 100 m in
depth, reaching close to Sao Sebastiao Island. This is the
same water mass that becomes the SACW in the subtropical
convergence of the south-western Atlantic Ocean (Castro

of G. melampus to inhabit waters with higher temperatures

than those typical of its preferred habitat.
In Signorini (1980), hydrological studies on the bay of Ilha
Grande indicate the presence of mixed water masses formed
by coastal waters and the SACW at depths higher than
15 m. In addition, a seasonal pycnocline starts to develop in
the spring, reaching its maximum during summer. The
SACW is characterized by cold waters of 68C to 188C and salinity between 34 and 36%, which ows underneath and in the
opposite direction of the tropical Brazilian Current (Viana
et al., 1998). The SACW is normally located at depths of
300 to 500 m along the Brazilian continental slope, but is

Table 2. Meristic counts of Gasterochisma melampus reported in the literature, ordered chronologically: (A) Specimen collected at the entrance of La
Plata River, in front of Montevideo (358S) (Lahille, 1905); (B) specimen from Mar del Plata (388S) (Lahille, 1913); (C) specimen from Table Bay,
South Africa (338S 188E) (Barnard, 1927); (D) three specimens captured in Argentina (39810 S 54805 W) (Cousseau, 1970); (E) data provided by Collette
& Nauen (1983); (F) two specimens caught off the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (34818 S 49858 W) (Coelho et al., 1990); (G) specimen from the
northern coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Lima et al., 2002); (H) specimen captured in south-eastern Brazil (23809 S 44819 W) in August 2003,
presented in this paper.
Meristics
Dorsal n spines
Dorsal n rays
Dorsal nlets
Anal n rays
Anal nlets
Total gill rakers
Pectoral rays
Pelvic rays
Lateral line scales
Scales above lateral line
Scales below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle

17
11
6
11
6

20
6
7074
45
1617

18
10
6
11
6
24
20
6
87
5
16

17
1011
6 7
10
6 7

80
8 9
1516

17
9 10
7
10
7

2122
6
86

17
1011
6 7
12
6 7
25
1922

1718
10
8
12
7

21

17
9
8
12
8

21
5

18
8
8
10
8
25
21
6
78
5
16
19

new record of g. melampus from the western atlantic

et al., 2006). It is remarkably important to note that Sao

Sebastiao Island is situated approximately 125 km from
where the specimen was found during the winter of 2003.
Daily satellite imagery of SST from August 2003 for the
Brazilian coast between 208S and 368S, provided by NOAA
and measured with an AVHRR and a HIRS, indicates a
mean temperature of 22.38C for an area 75 km south of
Grande Island. This pattern was broken only, on the 20 and
21 August 2003, where temperatures dropped to a
minimum of 20.48C. The decrease of SST is identiable
along the coast of Brazil between 238S and 298S, with the
northward advection of colder waters starting on 19 August
2003, receding after reaching a maximum on the 21 August
2003. The local shermen reported the capture of G. melampus in the following week.
Analysis of AVHRR imagery on the south-eastern
Brazilian continental shelf during the winter of 1993 identied
the same intrusion of cold waters (Campos et al., 1996).
Campos et al. (1996) suggest that these low temperature and
low salinity waters (T 188C, S 34) are an intrusion from
the coastal branch of the northward-owing Malvinas
(Falklands) Current between the coast and the southward
Brazilian Current during wintertime. While making comparisons between the distributions of foraminifera, ostracoda and
microbivalves, Stevenson et al. (1998) recognized the same
cold water intrusion through satellite images and drifters.
They identied a clear relationship between the limits of
and the region covered by the northward advection of cold
waters and the presence of species from temperate oceanic
waters more typically found on the Argentine continental
platform. The northern reach of this phenomenon was veried to be in the Ilha Grande and Sepetiba bays (Stevenson
et al., 1998), where the present specimen of G. melampus
was captured. Furthermore, Stevenson et al. (1998) concluded
that the passage of meteorological fronts might be the mechanism responsible for the sporadic entry of advected cold
waters inside the Ilha Grande and Sepetiba bays.
Cold water upwellings, which are from the same water
mass found on the northward advection of the Malvinas
(Falklands) Current, are the main factor of fertilization for
waters in the euphotic zone. They promote an increase in
primary production that is essential for the maintenance of
pelagic and demersal populations, including exploited stocks
(Gaeta & Brandini, 2006).
In addition to the presence of cold water species of ostracoda, foraminifera and microbivalves (Stevenson et al.,
1998), the coastal cephalopod fauna investigated between
238S and 348S indicates a greater diversity in its northern
portion, with both warm and cold water species. Species
with great bathymetric and geographical distribution, like
Illex argentinus (Castellanos, 1960), which occurs in waters
that G. melampus inhabits, may reach 208S (Haimovici &
Perez, 1991).
The presence of cold water species at lower latitudes can
also be visualized with the two other scombrid species with
which G. melampus shares its geographical distribution. The
slender tuna Allothunnus fallai is found between 208S and
508S, with specimens captured off the south-eastern and
southern coasts of Brazil (Collette & Nauen, 1983; Collette,
2003). This epipelagic species is known to feed mainly on
krill (euphasids) but is also known to feed on squids and
small sh. Juveniles are primarily encountered between 208S
and 358S and at a SST range of 19 to 248C, moving to

higher latitudes and colder waters with maturity growth

(Collette & Nauen, 1983). A pattern of juveniles at warmer
temperatures than adults is also indicated for G. melampus
(Collette & Nauen, 1983). The southern bluen tuna
Thunnus maccoyii is a highly migratory species and opportunistic feeder and is conned in cold waters at temperatures
between 58C and 208C south of 308S for most of its life.
Nevertheless, it does engage in seasonal migrations to a
spawning ground between Java and the north-western coast
of Australia, an area that reaches 108S and warmer waters
(20 308C) (Collette & Nauen, 1983). Therefore, both A.
fallai and T. maccoyii are known to occur in latitudes above
the Southern Ocean, reaching as far as 208S for the slender
tuna or even 108S for the southern bluen tuna.
In conclusion, the presence of cold waters, from coastal
upwelling or the seasonal intrusion of waters from the subtropical convergence of the south-western Atlantic Ocean is
common on the continental shelf of south-eastern and southern Brazil. The cold water promotes areas of lower temperatures across the coast that reaches tropical regions, such as
where the specimen was found. The same phenomenon
plays a role in the presence of cold water species in the
same area of the Brazilian coast, some of which are known
prey items of G. melampus. Thus, as evidenced by the
AVHRR imagery from the period when the specimen was captured, the advection of the coastal branch of the cold water
mass from the Malvinas (Falklands) Current may have transported the individual studied in this paper adrift into a tropical area, explaining the anomalous occurrence of G.
melampus so far north.

Commentary on previous records of

Gasterochisma melampus
The species was rst described at Wellington Harbour, formerly known as Port Nicholson, in New Zealand. The description was based on a juvenile specimen that was 203.2 mm in
TL (Richardson, 1845). Another individual of Gasterochisma
melampus of 1,663.7 mm TL, this time an adult, was reported
as being driven on shore at Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand,
in 1887 and was described by Gunther (1889) as
Lepidothynnus huttonii.
In 1920, a specimen measuring 1,092.2 mm SL was captured in Table Bay, South Africa (338S 188E) and was the
rst recorded specimen in the eastern Atlantic Ocean
(Barnard, 1927). Barnard (1927) also recognized that the specimens described from both the South Pacic and western
Atlantic were a single species, which was supported by other
studies (Barnard, 1927; Collette & Nauen, 1983; Collette,
2003). A second individual was reported by Collette (1986)
south of Cape Town, South Africa. Another specimen,
carried onto land by water, was captured in 1986 from
Walvis Bay, Namibia (22853 S 14827 E) (OBIS, 2014). This
is the northernmost record for the species in the eastern
Atlantic Ocean. More recently, another individual of G. melampus was captured off the coast of Namibia in 2004
(25850 S 10830 E) (OBIS, 2014).
The rst western Atlantic Ocean specimena female of
1,550 mm TLwas found at the entrance of La Plata River in
front of Montevideo, Uruguay (358S) (Lahille, 1903). The
author described this specimen as a new species, Chenogaster
holmbergi, and later gave a detailed description (Lahille,

se rgio ricardo santos and gustavo wilson nunan

1905). The same author reported another specimen of 725 mm

TL obtained in 1913 from La Plata (388S) as a new species,
Gastrochisma boulengeri (Lahille, 1913; Cousseau, 1970).
Cousseau (1970) recorded three new specimens that were
found off the coast of Argentina (39810 S 54805 W) in April
1969. Tuna shing gear captured the sh in oceanic waters
at a depth of 545.5 m. The specimens ranged from 1,100 to
1,213 mm FL, and two of them were identied as females.
The sex of the third specimen was undetermined due to
evisceration.
The rst record for the species in Brazilian waters, off the
coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (34818 S 49858 W),
came from three specimens caught in July 1988. The individuals of G. melampus were captured by a Brazilian longliner
between depths of 60 to 120 m in waters 3,000 m deep, with
a SST of 17.18C. Two, a male and a female, were adults of
1,226 and 1,270 mm TL, respectively. The third specimen
was eaten by scavengers, rendering further examination
impossible (Coelho et al., 1990). A fourth specimen of
1,140 mm FL was captured by a shing vessel in August
2001, also from the northern coast of the State of Rio
Grande do Sul (Lima et al., 2002). The new record is approximately 1,350 km further north from the rst record.
All reports are restricted to the southern hemisphere
except for a female specimen that had 1,755 mm FL. This
specimen was captured 670 km north of the Hawaiian archipelago in 1993. It is the northernmost record for the species
and is the only record in the northern hemisphere (Ito
et al., 1994).
As mentioned before, all previous records refer to a single
species, recognized as G. melampus (Barnard, 1927).
Nevertheless, the specimens described by Cousseau (1970)
had two distinct head proles, while the body presented no
other difference. One of the specimens had a strongly
convex nape in the head, while the other specimen had a
less rounded nape shape. The former is consistent with both
the description by Richardson (1845) and the specimen
described by Gunther (1889), as well as the present specimen
obtained from south-eastern Brazil.
Another feature discussed in Barnard (1927) and
Cousseau (1970) is related to a wide separation of the rst
and second dorsal ns described by Gunther (1889), which
also appears in the diagnosis provided by Collette & Nauen
(1983). Barnard considered this feature to be erroneous
and supported the original description, which indicated
that the dorsal ns were continuous. Lahille (1913) described
a specimen with two separated dorsal ns, but he also found
two rudimentary rays imbedded in the tissue that suggested a
continuity that was lost with growth. The present specimen
is an adult and possesses a continuous dorsal n, as
described originally by Richardson and agreed with the
observations provided by Barnard (1927) and Cousseau
(1970). Gunther (1889) also noted the absence of vomerine
teeth, which contradicts all other described specimens,
including the present one.
Examination of the stomach contents from the individual
presented in this paper revealed the presence of undigested
body tissue and beaks of cephalopods. These items in the
diet composition is conrmed by Cousseau (1970), who also
included sh as preys. Further work is required to examine
the ontogenetic development of the species as well as the
occurrence of sexual dimorphism. This may elucidate the differences in the head prole observed by Cousseau; as well as

the divergence between the original description by

Richardson, based on a juvenile, and the description given
by Gunther from an adult of G. melampus.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank researchers Marcio L.V. Senna, Guilherme

M.T. Souza and Wagner D. Bandeira for their invaluable
assistance with the examination of meristic and morphometric data of the specimen and for the preservation procedure.
This research received no specic grant from any funding
agency, commercial or not-for-prot sectors.

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Correspondence should be addressed to:

Sergio Ricardo Santos
Laboratorio de Biologia e Tecnologia Pesqueira
Depatamento de Biologia Marinha
Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, 21941-902
Ilha do Fundao, Cidade Universitaria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
email: srbs@ufrj.br