BSc in Oceanography (State University of Rio de Janeiro, 1985), MSc in Biological Sciences / Zoology (State University of São Paulo, 1996), PhD Biological Sciences / Zoology (State University of São Paulo, 2003), Post-doc in Fisheries Ecology (Fluminense Federal University, 2014)
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Aquatic Science, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology
36
Scopus Publications
1252
Scholar Citations
19
Scholar h-index
35
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Neglected impacts and modeling uncertainties of seismic surveys on fish and fisheries: Knowledge gaps and research needs José Amorim Reis-Filho, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomás, Domingos Garrone Neto, Eurico Noleto-Filho Marine Environmental Research, 2026 Offshore oil and gas exploration has long driven global economic growth, and marine seismic surveys (MSS) constitute the initial phase of these operations. Although much of the impact literature focuses on marine mammals and, to a lesser extent, sea turtles and birds, empirical understanding of how MSS may affect fish and fisheries remains limited, particularly in the South Atlantic, where large-scale assessments are virtually absent. Here, we address this gap using a two-decade spatiotemporal dataset encompassing approximately 800,000 km 2 of MSS along the Brazilian coast. We integrated seismic effort metrics with fishery catch data from the Sea Around Us database to derive a Seismic Sensitivity Index (SSI) representing the relative sensitivity of key exploited groups, including tunas, billfishes, sharks, and rays, across all Brazilian sedimentary basins. We implemented multiple SSI frameworks combining seismic pressure indicators (e.g., Sound Exposure Level, licensed survey area, ramp-up zones), catches-weighted fishery importance, environmental stochasticity, and estimates of fish–seismic overlap probability. These complementary approaches revealed marked spatial contrasts in relative sensitivity and potential exposure. Southern basins, where seismic activity has been most frequent and intense, consistently showed higher SSI values for tunas and billfishes, whereas sharks and rays exhibited elevated SSI values in northern basins. Given the scarcity of comprehensive empirical studies in the South Atlantic and the extensive footprint of seismic operations across Brazil’s continental shelf, our results provide the first large-scale, data-driven screening of potential sensitivity to MSS among ecologically and economically important fish groups. This framework offers a foundation for prioritizing future empirical research, guiding risk assessments, and informing the spatial management of seismic activities.
Molecular identification of whole squids and calamari at fairs and markets in regions of Latin America Bianca Lima Paiva, Alan Erik Souza Rodrigues, Igor Oliveira de Freitas Almeida, Kamila de Fatima Silva, Manuel Haimovici, Unai Markaida, Patricia Charvet, Vicente Vieira Faria, Bruno B. Batista, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomás, Luis Fernando da Silva Rodrigues-Filho, Jonathan Stuart Ready, João Bráullio de Luna Sales Scientific Reports, 2024 The commercial importance of cephalopods has increased considerably, being an important fishing resource. However, during the preparation for commercialization of those species, they suffer the process known as "finning" which includes removing and separating the head, arm, skin or even having the body structure cut into rings, which ends up making it difficult or often prevents the identification of the species, which can lead to replacements. In this sense, the present study aimed to use the large ribosomal region, rrnL (16S rDNA) to genetically identify cephalopod species sold in markets and fairs in Latin America. Whole and processed samples were collected from supermarkets and directly from local fishers the approximate collection location. Each generated sequence was submitted to the blastn portal for molecular comparison and included in the database for subsequent genetic identification. Our results indicate labeling errors in samples from the State of Pará that contained the species Dosidicus gigas found only in the Pacific Ocean and were generically labeled as "National Lula". No type of substitution was found among the samples that were being sold at fairs and markets, only labeling errors. Thus, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the rrnL for identifying species and evaluating labeling errors.
Otolith shape can be used as a tool to infer population connectivity among individuals of Larimus breviceps at Southwestern Atlantic Barbara Maichak de Carvalho, Yasmin Barbieri, Beatriz Andrade Syrio, Kátia Meirelles Felizola Freire, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomás Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2024 Otoliths are an excellent tool for analysing the pattern of habitat use between adults and juveniles and connectivity between fish populations. Larimus breviceps is a species belonging to the family Sciaenidae, which has an important role in the marine food chain, as it is one of the most abundant and frequent species in the bycatch of coastal shrimp fisheries in Brazil. The present study aimed at comparing the otolith shape of specimens collected in three different Brazilian coastal areas: Sergipe (SE), northeastern region; São Paulo (SP), southeastern region; and Paraná (PR), southern region. In a laboratory, 88 otoliths were extracted, photographed, and the contour was analysed by the wavelet method (32 from SE, 28 from SP, and 28 from PR). The otolith contours varied between sampling sites. Linear discriminant analysis correctly reclassified 60.23% otoliths by the sampled sites, with the best reclassifications occurring in SE (62.5%), followed by PR (60.71%) and SP (57.14%). Multivariate analysis of variance also evidenced significant differences in contours among the sampling sites (F = 2.3; P < 0.005). Thus, two morphotypes of otoliths were found for L. breviceps: one from Sergipe (northeastern Brazil) and the second one from southeastern–southern Brazil, indicating connectivity between the populations off São Paulo and Paraná, to be confirmed by future genetic studies.
Inferring ecological connectivity between populations of Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880) from the southern Gulf of Mexico and the South-western Atlantic coast Barbara Maichak de Carvalho, José Antônio Martínez Pérez, Alfonso Aguilar-Perera, Virginia Noh Quiñones, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomás, Jean Vitule, Alejandra Volpedo Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2022 Otoliths are an excellent tool in studies on ecological connectivity of fish species populations. Opsanus beta is an invasive species introduced on the Brazilian coast, but not native from the Gulf of Mexico. The present study aimed to compare the otolith contours of specimens collected in Mexico (Celestún, CEL) and in two Brazilian estuaries (Santos Bay, STB, and Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, PEC). In the laboratory, 99 otoliths were extracted, photographed and compared using wavelet analysis. The otolith contours varied between sites (39 from CEL, 26 from STB and 34 from PEC). The linear discriminant analysis correctly reclassified 87.9% of otoliths by sites, with the best reclassifications in the CEL (97.36%), followed by PEC (88.23%) and SBT (73.07%). MANOVA showed significant differences in otolith contours between sites (F = 5.37; P < 0.005). The otolith contour from CEL was significantly different from those from the PEC and SBT. However, the otolith contour of the two Brazilian estuaries did not significantly differ among them (MANOVA, P > 0.005). Our results indicate O. beta populations on the Brazilian coast are connected, and probably isolated from the Mexican population.
Citizen science as a tool for understanding the silent dispersion of toadfish Opsanus beta (Goode and Bean, 1880) Barbara Maichak de Carvalho, Matheus O. Freitas, Acácio R. G. Tomás, Rodrigo Caires, Patricia Charvet, Jean Vitule Journal of Fish Biology, 2022 Citizen science is an excellent tool in studies of the spatial distribution of non-native species. In Brazil, Opsanus beta has recently been introduced. Studies indicate the occurrence of this species in five estuaries off the Brazilian coast (Guanabara Bay, Sepetiba Bay, Santos Bay, Paranaguá Estuarine Complex and Guaratuba Bay). The present study aims to understand the dispersion of this species on the Brazilian coast through citizen science. Between January and May 2021, information about O. beta was weekly posted in 32 recreational fishing Facebook groups. Sixty-five fishers reported catches of O. beta in estuaries (Guanabara Bay, Sepetiba Bay, Santos Bay and Paranaguá Estuarine Complex). In addition, there were reports from other shallow areas outside adjacent estuaries (Bertioga and Peruíbe, in Sao Paulo State) and the first occurrence record for Laguna (Santa Catarina State), a southern estuarine zone (28° 29' 45″ S to 48° 45' 36″ W). In four estuaries along the Brazilian coast where O. beta was recorded, there are internal ports that trade with countries from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (species original range), indicating ballast water as a possible introduction route. In Laguna, the introduction may have occurred by maritime cabotage services. The reproductive capacity, the aquarists' interest, the absence of introduction policies aimed at this species and the cabotage fleet transportation may be factors that help further extend the dispersal of O. beta on the Brazilian coast.
Diet of three juvenile fish species of the coastal zone of a Southwest Atlantic beach, Brazil Jessica Knoeller, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomás, Teodoro Vaske Junior Acta Scientiarum Biological Sciences, 2022 Surf zones are associated with a shelter area, nursery and feeding for several species of fish. In this study, the dietary habits of three species of fish with demersal habits (Gulf kingcroaker Menticirrhu gracilis, Whitesea catfish Genidens barbus and Barbu Polydacytlus virginicus), were verified in the surf zone area of an active urban beach of Baixada Santista, concerning structure in size, day and night abundances and overlapping diets. A total of 617 fish were analyzed, of which 362 were 194 were G. barbus and 61 were P. virginicus. Stomach contents, represented in Relative Importance Index diagrams, showed that the bivalve Donax gemmula is the most important food item for M. gracilis, scales of Teleostei for G. barbus and Euphausiacea for P. virginicus. In order to evaluate the similarity of the diets, the Macarthur & Levins indices and a cluster analysis with the Bray-Curtis distance were applied revealing that the diet is 44% different between G. barbus and M. gracilis, 5% between G. barbus and P. virginicus and of 84% between M. gracilis and P. virginicus. Anthropogenic waste like plastic, nylon, metal pieces, were only occasionaly observed.
Recreational angling and related conflicts in a disturbed estuarine environment of the Southwest Atlantic Carlos Gonçalves Belruss, Sergio Luis dos Santos Tutui, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomás Ocean and Coastal Research, 2022 We assessed the angling conducted in the Santos estuarine area (southeastern Brazil) between September 2012 and November 2013. The results, based on 189 interviews conducted in 38 different fishing locations, showed that shore-based anglers were predominantly residents (78%) and spent US$23 per fishing day. However, 61% of the onboard anglers were from the São Paulo metropolitan area and spent around US$100 per fishing day, generating a potentially important economic impact. Only two of the 15 variables analyzed showed no significant differences between the anglers' categories. According to the anglers' perception the possible pressure on the fishery resources and conflicts regarding resource use and areas in the face of port and industrial activities, urbanization, lack of security, as well as the anglers' time of experience, should be considered in any management measures to be proposed.
The path towards endangered species: Prehistoric fisheries in southeastern Brazil Mariana Samôr Lopes, Thayse Cristina Pereira Bertucci, Luciano Rapagnã, Rafael de Almeida Tubino, Cassiano Monteiro-Neto, Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomas, Maria Cristina Tenório, Tânia Lima, Rosa Souza, Jorge Domingo Carrillo-Briceño, Manuel Haimovici, Kita Macario, Carla Carvalho, Orangel Aguilera Socorro Plos One, 2016
Brazilian recreational fisheries: current status, challenges and future direction K. M. F. Freire, R. A. Tubino, C. Monteiro‐Neto, M. F. Andrade‐Tubino, C. G. Belruss, A. R. G. Tomás, S. L. S. Tutui, P. M. G. Castro, L. S. Maruyama, A. C. Catella, D. V. Crepaldi, C. R. A. Daniel, M. L. Machado, J. T. Mendonça, P. S. Moro, F. S. Motta, M. Ramires, M. H. C. Silva, J. P. Vieira Fisheries Management and Ecology, 2016
Temporal Distribution Of Elasmobranches Fishes Of The Small-Scale Fisheries From Barra De Guaratiba, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Boletim do Instituto De Pesca, 2010
Gillnet fisheries characterization of the coast of São Paulo, Brazil Boletim do Instituto De Pesca, 2009
Identificação de Carcaças de Cações e Raias da Pesca Comercial no Sudeste do Brasil Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciencias, 1996
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Neglected Impacts and Modeling Uncertainties of Seismic Surveys on Fish and Fisheries: Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs JA Reis-Filho, ARG Tomás, DG Neto, E Noleto-Filho Marine Environmental Research, 108106 , 2026 2026
Metallic Makos: Metal and Metalloid Levels and Human Health Risks Arising from the Consumption of Shortfin Makos ( Isurus oxyrinchus ) from Southeastern Brazil JV de Pinho, IQ Willmer, AP Lopes, R Fonsêca, TD Saint’Pierre, ... Biological Trace Element Research 203 (10), 5401-5415 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Trophic web structure and ecosystem attributes of a coastal lagoon system in the southwest Atlantic LFA Monteiro, R Angelini, MM Bello, ARG Tomás, MR da Costa, ... Regional Studies in Marine Science 81, 103950 , 2025 2025
Molecular identification of whole squids and calamari at fairs and markets in regions of Latin America BL Paiva, AES Rodrigues, IOF Almeida, KF Silva, M Haimovici, ... Scientific Reports 14 (1), 30007 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Otolith shape can be used as a tool to infer population connectivity among individuals of Larimus breviceps at Southwestern Atlantic BM de Carvalho, Y Barbieri, BA Syrio, KMF Freire, ARG Tomás Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 104, e50 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Inferring ecological connectivity between populations of Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880) from the southern Gulf of Mexico and the South-western Atlantic coast BM Carvalho, JAM Pérez, A Aguilar-Perera, V Noh Quiñones, ... Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 102 (8 … , 2022 2022 Citations: 4
Inferring ecological connectivity between populations of Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880) from the southern Gulf of Mexico and the South-western Atlantic coast BM de Carvalho, JAM Pérez, A Aguilar-Perera, VN Quiñones, ... Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 102 (8 … , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
The marine ornamental market in Brazil (Southwestern Atlantic) frequently trades prohibited and endangered species, and threatens the ecosystem role of cleaning mutualism LM Carvalho, M Mies, KY Inagaki, EG Sanches, MR Souza, GO Longo, ... Marine Policy 146, 105305 , 2022 2022 Citations: 8
Citizen science as a tool for understanding the silent dispersion of toadfish Opsanus beta (Goode and Bean, 1880) BM Carvalho, MO Freitas, ARG Tomás, R Caires, P Charvet, J Vitule Journal of fish biology 100 (6), 1553-1558 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Recreational angling and related conflicts in a disturbed estuarine environment of the Southwest Atlantic CG Belruss, SLS Tutui, ARG Tomás Ocean and Coastal Research 70, e22014 , 2022 2022
Diet of three juvenile fish species of the coastal zone of a Southwest Atlantic beach, Brazil JSM Knoeller, ARG Tomás, TV Junior Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences 44, 1-12 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Biological aspects of Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 in a tropical estuarine bay in the southwestern Atlantic MR da Costa, RRM Martins, ARG Tomás, R de Almeida Tubino, ... Regional Studies in Marine Science 43, 101651 , 2021 2021 Citations: 8
Coastal recreational fisheries: A case study in the southeastern Brazil T Dal Negro, PP dos Santos, SLS Tutui, ARG Tomas Regional Studies in Marine Science 42, 101652 , 2021 2021 Citations: 7
MORPHOMETRICS OF JUVENILE WHITE SHRIMP IN SANTOS (SP, BRAZIL)-AN ATLANTIC STRESSED ESTUARY FV Abbatepaulo, SL dos Santos TUTUI, ARG Tomás Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 46 (3) , 2020 2020
Local ecological knowledge (LEK) concerning snook fishers on estuarine waters: insights into scientific knowledge and fisheries management LMC da Silva, IC Machado, SL dos Santos Tutui, ARG Tomás Ocean & Coastal Management 186, 105088 , 2020 2020 Citations: 23
MORFOMETRIA DE JUVENIS DO CAMARÃO-BRANCO EM SANTOS (SP, BRASIL)-UM ESTUÁRIO IMPACTADO DO ATLÂNTICO FV ABBATEPAULO, SLS TUTUI, ARG TOMÁS 2020
Life History Parameters of Genypterus brasiliensis (Teleostei: Ophidiidae), an Endemic Fisheries Resource of the Southwestern Atlantic ARG Tomas, CLT Eleuterio, G Velasco Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 91 (03), e20170793 , 2019 2019 Citations: 2
Calendário Etnobiológico do robalo, segundo os pescadores especialistas das áreas estuarinas da Baixada Santista (SP) LMC da Silva, IC Machado, SL dos Santos Tutui, ARG Tomás Livro de Atas do 8. º Congresso Ibero-Americano em Investigação Qualitativa … , 2019 2019 Citations: 3
The southernmost records of Brotula barbata (Bloch & Schneider 1801) (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) in the western Atlantic Ocean AB Bauer, LG Fischer, ARG Tomás, RA Santos, MM Mincarone Journal of fish biology 93 (4), 715-718 , 2018 2018 Citations: 2
OBSERVAÇÃ-ES SOBRE A PRESENí"¡ A DE Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus, 1765)(ELASMOBRANCHII, CETORHINIDAE) NO SUDESTE E SUL DO BRASIL. A Ribeiro Gomes TOMÁS, U Leite GOMES 2018
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Fauna acompanhante da pesca camaroeira no litoral do estado de São Paulo, Brasil RG LOPES, A TOMÁS, S TUTUI, ES RODRIGUES, A PUZZI Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 28 (2), 173-188 , 2002 2002 Citations: 130
Brazilian recreational fisheries: current status, challenges and future direction KMF Freire, RA Tubino, C Monteiro‐Neto, MF Andrade‐Tubino, ... Fisheries Management and Ecology 23 (3-4), 276-290 , 2016 2016 Citations: 102
The path towards endangered species: prehistoric fisheries in southeastern Brazil MS Lopes, TCP Bertucci, L Rapagnã, RA Tubino, C Monteiro-Neto, ... PloS one 11 (6), e0154476 , 2016 2016 Citations: 87
Estimating the human appropriation of land in Brazil by means of an Input-Output Economic Model and Ecological Footprint analysis G SALVO, MS SIMAS, SA PACCA, JJM GUILHOTO, ARG TOMAS, ... Ecological Indicators. 53, 78-94 , 2015 2015 Citations: 71
Evidence for genetic differentiation of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) fishery populations from the southern coast of Brazil as revealed by microsatellites AA Moreira, ARG Tomás, AWS Hilsdorf Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 407 (1), 34-40 , 2011 2011 Citations: 49
Phylogeographical features of Octopus vulgaris and Octopus insularis in the Southeastern Atlantic based on the analysis of mitochondrial markers JBDL Sales, PS Do Rego, AWS Hilsdorf, AA Moreira, M Haimovici, ... Journal of Shellfish Research 32 (2), 325-339 , 2013 2013 Citations: 47
Assessment of Metal Concentrations in Muscles of the Blue Crab, Callinectes danae S., from the Santos Estuarine System ICAC Bordon, JES Sarkis, ARG Tomás, A Scalco, M Lima, MA Hortellani, ... Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 89 (3), 484-488 , 2012 2012 Citations: 39
Beak increment counts as a tool for growth studies of the common octopus Octopus vulgaris in southern Brazil G Castanhari, ARG Tomás Bol. Inst. Pesca, São Paulo 38 (4), 323-331 , 2012 2012 Citations: 35
Aspects of the biology of the Atlantic Midshipman, Porichthys porosissimus (Teleostei, Batrachoididae): an important by-catch species of shrimp trawling off southern Brazil M Vianna, ARG Tomas, JR Verani Revista Brasileira de Oceanografia 48, 131-140 , 2000 2000 Citations: 34
Caracterização da pesca de emalhe do litoral do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil PMF ALVES, CA ARFELLI, ARG TOMÁS Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 35 (1), 17-27 , 2009 2009 Citations: 31
A Preliminary Assessment of Metal Bioaccumulation in the Blue Crab, Callinectes danae S., from the Sao Vicente Channel, Sao Paulo State, Brazil ICAC Bordon, JES Sarkis, ARG Tomás, MR Souza, A Scalco, M Lima, ... Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 88 (4), 577-581 , 2012 2012 Citations: 28
Evaluation of the status of fisheries data collection and stock assessment problems in São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil M de los Angeles Gasalla, ARG Tomás International Symposium on Fishery Stock Assessment Models for the 21st … , 1997 1997 Citations: 25
OBSERVAÇÃ-ES SOBRE A PRESENí"¡ A DE Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus, 1765)(ELASMOBRANCHII, CETORHINIDAE) NO SUDESTE E SUL DO BRASIL. ARG TOMÁS, UL GOMES Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 16 (1), 111-116 , 1989 1989 Citations: 25
Captura de lulas (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) pela pesca industrial desembarcada em Santos: Comparação após 4 décadas. MA Gasalla, FA Postuma, ARG Tomás Brazilian Journal of Aquatic Science and Technology 9 (2), 5-8 , 2005 2005 Citations: 24
Local ecological knowledge (LEK) concerning snook fishers on estuarine waters: insights into scientific knowledge and fisheries management LMC da Silva, IC Machado, SL dos Santos Tutui, ARG Tomás Ocean & Coastal Management 186, 105088 , 2020 2020 Citations: 23
Opsanus beta: an invasive fish species in the Santos estuary, Brazil ARG Tomás, SLS Tutui, L Fagundes, MR Souza Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 38 (4), 349-355 , 2012 2012 Citations: 23
Identificação de carcaças de cações e raias da pesca comercial no Sudeste do Brasil AR Gomes Tomas, SL Dos Santos Tutui Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 68 (4), 583 , 1996 1996 Citations: 22
Dinâmica da frota de emalhe do Estado de São Paulo ARG Tomás Dinâmica das frotas pesqueiras comerciais da região Sudeste-Sul do Brasil … , 2007 2007 Citations: 21
COMPARAÇÃO DA DINÂMICA DE DESEMBARQUE DE FROTAS CAMAROEIRAS DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, BRASIL R GRAÇA-LOPES, A TOMÁS, S TUTUI, ES RODRIGUES, A PUZZI Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 28 (2), 163-171 , 2002 2002 Citations: 21
Dinâmica da frota de traineiras da região de Santos, SP MA Gasalla, GJM Servo, ARG Tomás Dinâmica das frotas pesqueiras. Análise das principais pescarias comerciais … , 2003 2003 Citations: 18