ANALYSIS OF THE POPULATION DENSITY OF CALLICHIRUS MAJOR AND GRANULOMETRY BETWEEN BEACHES OF BAIXADA SANTISTA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the population density of the ghost shrimp *Callichirus major*—commonly known as “corrupto” — at three beaches along the Baixada Santista coast: Ponta da Praia and José Menino (Santos), and Itararé (São Vicente), in order to assess potential correlations with the granulometric characteristics of each beach. Sampling was conducted using 1 m² transects at five points per beach. Granulometric composition was similar across all sites, with the highest retention observed in the 106 µm sieve fraction. Ponta da Praia exhibited the highest density of the species, likely due to Municipal Law No. 850/92 of Santos, which prohibits its capture. In contrast, São Vicente lacks comparable legislation, which may explain the lower densities recorded there