Spatial and temporal distribution of Myrophis punctatus (Ophichthidae) andassociated fish fauna in a northern Brazilian intertidal mangrove forest

The mangrove forest along the northern Brazilian coast is not inundated dur ing low tide. However, many fish species stay in the mangrove forest during this time. Tidal behaviour strategies are described for fish species that linger in the mangrove forest during low tide. The samples were taken at th e end of the dry season (December 1996) and at the end of the rainy season (July 1997). Fish were captured using an ichthyotoxic plant extract (Ichthy otere cunabi). Spatial and temporal fish density and biomass were analyzed statistically. Thirty-six samples were taken with a total density of 2.8 in d m(-2) and a total biomass of 17.4 g m(-2) distributed among seven familie s and 14 species. Myrophis punctatus was the most important species in numb er (1.66 ind m(-2)) and weight (12.68 g m(-2)) of all catches. The total fi sh densities were not significantly different among areas and between month s, although, total biomass differed significantly in time and space. The de nsities and biomass for the three most dominant species (M punctatus, Poeci lia spp. and Gobionellus smaragdus) differed significantly among species. O nly the biomass of these species showed significant monthly differences. Th e only significant main effect on variance in the densities and biomass of M punctatus were encountered between months. In addition, the factor area w as significantly different for the variable number of species.