A record of the Southern Ocean Gasterochisma melampus (Teleostei: Scombridae) in the tropical south-western Atlantic, with comments on previous records

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 (23°09′S 44°19′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.