The life history of marine invertebrates is intrinsically related to the environmental conditions... more The life history of marine invertebrates is intrinsically related to the environmental conditions of their habitats. However, the effect of environmental factors on life history traits, e.g. reproduction, is poorly understood due to difficulties in cultivating these animals in controlled conditions. Natural experiments, using latitudinal gradients, provide an alternative to better understand this relationship. We investigated the effect of environmental factors on some aspects of the reproduction of Tedania ignis (Porifera, Demospongiae) along a latitudinal gradient in the Western Atlantic Ocean (WAO). We assessed the predicted trade-off between size and fecundity and biogeographical patterns in some of the life history traits of this sponge species. Except for the southernmost population, all populations of T. ignis reproduced aperiodically, but their reproductive dynamics were modulated by different sets of environmental factors. Therefore, this trait seems to be a physiological a...
Santa Catarina, at Southern Brazil, represents a transitional biogeographic area, from Tropical t... more Santa Catarina, at Southern Brazil, represents a transitional biogeographic area, from Tropical to Temperate climatic zones. Tropical reef fauna has Santa Catarina (maximum Latitude - 28.76) as a latitudinal limit of distribution, where the rocky reefs provide several systemic functions and related ecological services to society and are in constant threat due to anthropogenic and climatic variables. This region was recently recognized as a hot spot for climatic change in the south Atlantic. Sessile invertebrates tend to respond to these rapid changes, frequently showing increasing or decreasing distributional ranges. Therefore, it is important to provide current data for benthic diversity, as baseline information to understand possible future changes on communities. From primary data and bibliographic survey from 1978 to 2017, we created a database containing information on shallow (0-28 meters depth) marine sessile invertebrates of hard substrate and their distribution along Santa ...
Several reefs of the world have undergone changes in community due to sedimentation processes. It... more Several reefs of the world have undergone changes in community due to sedimentation processes. It has been suggested that Abrolhos reefs (Brazil/South-West Atlantic) are subjected to a steady coastal influence, although there is still little information regarding this ...
The detection and control of invasive alien species in marine ecosystems is especially challengin... more The detection and control of invasive alien species in marine ecosystems is especially challenging because it is difficult to visualize the full extension of an invasion, while control options are often limited. The invasive scleractinian coral Tubastraea coccinea have spread over 8000 km of the Atlantic coastline, from Florida in the USA to southern Brazil, mainly in association with oil and gas platforms. This invasive coral threatens endemic species, reduces native coral recruitment, and modifies communities and trophic interactions, posing a relevant threat to shallow Atlantic reefs. The main aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of an ongoing T. coccinea control program by analyzing the results of control interventions on population structure and cover of the target species in its southern Atlantic limit of distribution. We also describe the reproductive effort of T. coccinea in a 12-month time span. Between 2012 and 2019, almost 14,000 colonies were removed, most of them of small size (< 5 polyps). The highest reproductive effort was observed in September. Changes in T. coccinea cover, population structure and potential local propagule supply were observed. Control activities led to a reduction in up to half the cover of the invaded area, maintained the majority of the population in non-reproductive sizes, and consequently lowered the potential local propagule supply. Our paper highlights the fundamental role of control in preventing the local spread of T. coccinea. Recommendations on management frequency and timing are also discussed in order to contribute to the improvement of management efficiency.
Mexican Natural Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation, 2018
This chapter shows the influence and potential impacts of decadal climate variability on Mexico’s... more This chapter shows the influence and potential impacts of decadal climate variability on Mexico’s coastal biodiversity, fishery, and agricultural production, using the temporal structure of several modes of climate variability relevant for the northern hemisphere, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), as well as climatic variables time series (precipitation, maximum, and minimum temperature). An evaluation of the historical and potential effects of this natural climate variability is presented for the 17 Mexican coastal states. The results show a clear influence of the climatic variables and the different modes of climatic variability on the agricultural production in all coastal states, with the highest positive correlation between AMO and lemon production in Colima state (r = 0.87) and maximum negative between NAO and sorghum production in Tamaulipas state (r = −076); an influence on forestry production for some coastal regions – like Oaxaca state; as well as its impact on the natural vegetation cover changes and consequently on biodiversity. The need for systematic, regular, and long-term monitoring processes of climatic variables, coastal resources of economic value, and biodiversity are key elements for generating knowledge and establishing adaptation and mitigation measures for climatic phenomena of the order of decades and larger time scales.
-2 . Houve maior recrutamento das famílias consideradas incubadoras de larvas, especialmente Pori... more -2 . Houve maior recrutamento das famílias consideradas incubadoras de larvas, especialmente Poritidae e Agariciidae, do que das liberadoras de gametas e das que apresentam os dois modos de reprodução. A família Milleporidae apresentou, inesperadamente, recrutas em apenas um dos locais. O recrutamento de Siderastreidae apresentou correlação positiva e significativa com sua cobertura adulta; e negativa e significativa com a
The Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG) was characterized as extremely rich in benthic species, reef and be... more The Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG) was characterized as extremely rich in benthic species, reef and beach associated fish. The BIG is found in a unique oceanographic situation and its biodiversity is subjected to a series of human pressures. This situation means that the BIG is very important for the conservation, sustainable use and the distribution of Brazil’s marine biodiversity resources. Using the results of the sub-project RAP Ilha Grande: a biodiversity assessment as a foundation for future actions, and using the experience acquired during the study, recommendations are made regarding four different areas: how to better adapt the Marine Rapid Assessment Program (Marine RAP) methods to the BIG and Brazil; actions aimed at making available and integrating the data; proposals for future studies, aimed at bettering our knowledge of biodiversity and its conservation; actions aimed at implementing, consolidating and creating marine nature reserves.
<p>(A) Location of study localities in the Brazilian Province, (B) Relative percent cover o... more <p>(A) Location of study localities in the Brazilian Province, (B) Relative percent cover of benthic groups by localities (non-living organisms excluded), (C) Number of taxa by sites along the Brazilian Province. The blue line represents the second-order polynomial equation. I = Amazon discharges and II = La Plata River plume. PML = Parcel do Manuel Luis, FN = Fernando de Noronha, BTS = Baia de Todos os Santos.</p
Reefs are the richest marine ecosystems. Their benthic communities generate structural complexity... more Reefs are the richest marine ecosystems. Their benthic communities generate structural complexity and participate in nutrient cycles, providing habitat and food for many marine species. These ecosystems have been threatened by local and global anthropogenic impacts and changes in community structure have led to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem function and services worldwide. Most studies about these structural changes have been conducted in Caribbean and Indo-Pacific coral reefs. In the Southwestern Atlantic, where reefs are naturally algae-dominated, these efforts are incipient, especially at oceanic islands where local anthropic impacts tend to be lower, and natural and climate-induced fluctuations might be easily detected. We conducted the first temporal assessment of benthic communities and the influence of oceanographic parameters between 2013 and 2019 in Fernando de Noronha (FNA), the largest Brazilian oceanic archipelago. We annually sampled benthic communities in FNA’s shall...
As marine ecosystems are influenced by global and regional processes, standardized information on... more As marine ecosystems are influenced by global and regional processes, standardized information on community structure has become crucial for assessing broad-scale responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Extensive biogeographic provinces, such as the Brazilian Province in the southwest Atlantic, present numerous theoretical and methodological challenges for understanding community patterns on a macroecological scale. In particular, the Brazilian Province is composed of a complex system of heterogeneous reefs and a few offshore islands, with contrasting histories and geophysical-chemical environments. Despite the large extent of the Brazilian Province (almost 8,000 kilometers), most studies of shallow benthic communities are qualitative surveys and/or have been geographically restricted. We quantified community structure of shallow reef habitats from 0° to 27°S latitude using a standard photographic quadrat technique. Percent cover data indicated that benthic communities of Brazilian reefs were dominated by algal turfs and frondose macroalgae, with low percent cover of reef-building corals. Community composition differed significantly among localities, mostly because of their macroalgal abundance, despite reef type or geographic region, with no evident latitudinal pattern. Benthic diversity was lower in the tropics, contrary to the general latitudinal diversity gradient pattern. Richness peaked at mid-latitudes, between 20°S to 23°S, where it was ~3.5-fold higher than localities with the lowest richness. This study provides the first large-scale description of benthic communities along the southwestern Atlantic, providing a baseline for macroecological comparisons and evaluation of future impacts. Moreover, the new understanding of richness distribution along Brazilian reefs will contribute to conservation planning efforts, such as management strategies and the spatial prioritization for the creation of new marine protected areas
Reef benthic communities provide many important ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, car... more Reef benthic communities provide many important ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, carbonate accretion and tridimensional complexity. Yet, reefs worldwide face an uncertain future, being threatened by local and global impacts. As an alternative approach to evaluate communities’ changes, functional ecology aims to understand how species shape the environment and how functions conduct ecosystems’ dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics (2013–2019) of the reef benthic community in the most pristine reef in Brazil, Rocas Atoll, using a functional diversity approach. We identified 48 organisms grouped into 17 functional entities (according to their traits’ combination), considering all sampling years. Benthic community was temporally dominated by functional entities responsible for providing low reef tridimensional complexity (represented mainly by turf algae). This dominance reflected in low values of functional entropy, due to uneven abundanc...
Los sistemas arrecifales son muy diversos y complejos estructuralmente. Debido a su alta densidad... more Los sistemas arrecifales son muy diversos y complejos estructuralmente. Debido a su alta densidad de organismos, el espacio en el sustrato es limitante para la comunidad sesil, y por eso muchos organismos interactuan por contacto fisico. Ese contacto puede ser el resultado de diversas interacciones ecologicas, e.g. competencia y facilitacion. Para competir por espacio, los corales escleractineos pueden utilizar sus filamentos mesentericos y desarrollar tentaculos especializados para agredir fisicamente organismos en contacto con ellos. Asi, la familia Mussidae es considerada la mas agresiva y las familias Siderastreidae, Poritidae y Agariciidae las menos agresivas. Para estudiar las interacciones de contacto entre corales escleractineos y otros organismos bentonicos, fueron analizadas fotografias del bentos arrecifal de 4 localidades brasilenas (Abrolhos 17°S, 38°W; Salvador 12°S, 38°W; Rio de Janeiro – RJ – 22°S, 42°W; Sao Paulo 23oS, 45oW). Se espera que en Abrolhos los corales in...
The life history of marine invertebrates is intrinsically related to the environmental conditions... more The life history of marine invertebrates is intrinsically related to the environmental conditions of their habitats. However, the effect of environmental factors on life history traits, e.g. reproduction, is poorly understood due to difficulties in cultivating these animals in controlled conditions. Natural experiments, using latitudinal gradients, provide an alternative to better understand this relationship. We investigated the effect of environmental factors on some aspects of the reproduction of Tedania ignis (Porifera, Demospongiae) along a latitudinal gradient in the Western Atlantic Ocean (WAO). We assessed the predicted trade-off between size and fecundity and biogeographical patterns in some of the life history traits of this sponge species. Except for the southernmost population, all populations of T. ignis reproduced aperiodically, but their reproductive dynamics were modulated by different sets of environmental factors. Therefore, this trait seems to be a physiological a...
Santa Catarina, at Southern Brazil, represents a transitional biogeographic area, from Tropical t... more Santa Catarina, at Southern Brazil, represents a transitional biogeographic area, from Tropical to Temperate climatic zones. Tropical reef fauna has Santa Catarina (maximum Latitude - 28.76) as a latitudinal limit of distribution, where the rocky reefs provide several systemic functions and related ecological services to society and are in constant threat due to anthropogenic and climatic variables. This region was recently recognized as a hot spot for climatic change in the south Atlantic. Sessile invertebrates tend to respond to these rapid changes, frequently showing increasing or decreasing distributional ranges. Therefore, it is important to provide current data for benthic diversity, as baseline information to understand possible future changes on communities. From primary data and bibliographic survey from 1978 to 2017, we created a database containing information on shallow (0-28 meters depth) marine sessile invertebrates of hard substrate and their distribution along Santa ...
Several reefs of the world have undergone changes in community due to sedimentation processes. It... more Several reefs of the world have undergone changes in community due to sedimentation processes. It has been suggested that Abrolhos reefs (Brazil/South-West Atlantic) are subjected to a steady coastal influence, although there is still little information regarding this ...
The detection and control of invasive alien species in marine ecosystems is especially challengin... more The detection and control of invasive alien species in marine ecosystems is especially challenging because it is difficult to visualize the full extension of an invasion, while control options are often limited. The invasive scleractinian coral Tubastraea coccinea have spread over 8000 km of the Atlantic coastline, from Florida in the USA to southern Brazil, mainly in association with oil and gas platforms. This invasive coral threatens endemic species, reduces native coral recruitment, and modifies communities and trophic interactions, posing a relevant threat to shallow Atlantic reefs. The main aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of an ongoing T. coccinea control program by analyzing the results of control interventions on population structure and cover of the target species in its southern Atlantic limit of distribution. We also describe the reproductive effort of T. coccinea in a 12-month time span. Between 2012 and 2019, almost 14,000 colonies were removed, most of them of small size (< 5 polyps). The highest reproductive effort was observed in September. Changes in T. coccinea cover, population structure and potential local propagule supply were observed. Control activities led to a reduction in up to half the cover of the invaded area, maintained the majority of the population in non-reproductive sizes, and consequently lowered the potential local propagule supply. Our paper highlights the fundamental role of control in preventing the local spread of T. coccinea. Recommendations on management frequency and timing are also discussed in order to contribute to the improvement of management efficiency.
Mexican Natural Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation, 2018
This chapter shows the influence and potential impacts of decadal climate variability on Mexico’s... more This chapter shows the influence and potential impacts of decadal climate variability on Mexico’s coastal biodiversity, fishery, and agricultural production, using the temporal structure of several modes of climate variability relevant for the northern hemisphere, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), as well as climatic variables time series (precipitation, maximum, and minimum temperature). An evaluation of the historical and potential effects of this natural climate variability is presented for the 17 Mexican coastal states. The results show a clear influence of the climatic variables and the different modes of climatic variability on the agricultural production in all coastal states, with the highest positive correlation between AMO and lemon production in Colima state (r = 0.87) and maximum negative between NAO and sorghum production in Tamaulipas state (r = −076); an influence on forestry production for some coastal regions – like Oaxaca state; as well as its impact on the natural vegetation cover changes and consequently on biodiversity. The need for systematic, regular, and long-term monitoring processes of climatic variables, coastal resources of economic value, and biodiversity are key elements for generating knowledge and establishing adaptation and mitigation measures for climatic phenomena of the order of decades and larger time scales.
-2 . Houve maior recrutamento das famílias consideradas incubadoras de larvas, especialmente Pori... more -2 . Houve maior recrutamento das famílias consideradas incubadoras de larvas, especialmente Poritidae e Agariciidae, do que das liberadoras de gametas e das que apresentam os dois modos de reprodução. A família Milleporidae apresentou, inesperadamente, recrutas em apenas um dos locais. O recrutamento de Siderastreidae apresentou correlação positiva e significativa com sua cobertura adulta; e negativa e significativa com a
The Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG) was characterized as extremely rich in benthic species, reef and be... more The Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG) was characterized as extremely rich in benthic species, reef and beach associated fish. The BIG is found in a unique oceanographic situation and its biodiversity is subjected to a series of human pressures. This situation means that the BIG is very important for the conservation, sustainable use and the distribution of Brazil’s marine biodiversity resources. Using the results of the sub-project RAP Ilha Grande: a biodiversity assessment as a foundation for future actions, and using the experience acquired during the study, recommendations are made regarding four different areas: how to better adapt the Marine Rapid Assessment Program (Marine RAP) methods to the BIG and Brazil; actions aimed at making available and integrating the data; proposals for future studies, aimed at bettering our knowledge of biodiversity and its conservation; actions aimed at implementing, consolidating and creating marine nature reserves.
<p>(A) Location of study localities in the Brazilian Province, (B) Relative percent cover o... more <p>(A) Location of study localities in the Brazilian Province, (B) Relative percent cover of benthic groups by localities (non-living organisms excluded), (C) Number of taxa by sites along the Brazilian Province. The blue line represents the second-order polynomial equation. I = Amazon discharges and II = La Plata River plume. PML = Parcel do Manuel Luis, FN = Fernando de Noronha, BTS = Baia de Todos os Santos.</p
Reefs are the richest marine ecosystems. Their benthic communities generate structural complexity... more Reefs are the richest marine ecosystems. Their benthic communities generate structural complexity and participate in nutrient cycles, providing habitat and food for many marine species. These ecosystems have been threatened by local and global anthropogenic impacts and changes in community structure have led to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem function and services worldwide. Most studies about these structural changes have been conducted in Caribbean and Indo-Pacific coral reefs. In the Southwestern Atlantic, where reefs are naturally algae-dominated, these efforts are incipient, especially at oceanic islands where local anthropic impacts tend to be lower, and natural and climate-induced fluctuations might be easily detected. We conducted the first temporal assessment of benthic communities and the influence of oceanographic parameters between 2013 and 2019 in Fernando de Noronha (FNA), the largest Brazilian oceanic archipelago. We annually sampled benthic communities in FNA’s shall...
As marine ecosystems are influenced by global and regional processes, standardized information on... more As marine ecosystems are influenced by global and regional processes, standardized information on community structure has become crucial for assessing broad-scale responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Extensive biogeographic provinces, such as the Brazilian Province in the southwest Atlantic, present numerous theoretical and methodological challenges for understanding community patterns on a macroecological scale. In particular, the Brazilian Province is composed of a complex system of heterogeneous reefs and a few offshore islands, with contrasting histories and geophysical-chemical environments. Despite the large extent of the Brazilian Province (almost 8,000 kilometers), most studies of shallow benthic communities are qualitative surveys and/or have been geographically restricted. We quantified community structure of shallow reef habitats from 0° to 27°S latitude using a standard photographic quadrat technique. Percent cover data indicated that benthic communities of Brazilian reefs were dominated by algal turfs and frondose macroalgae, with low percent cover of reef-building corals. Community composition differed significantly among localities, mostly because of their macroalgal abundance, despite reef type or geographic region, with no evident latitudinal pattern. Benthic diversity was lower in the tropics, contrary to the general latitudinal diversity gradient pattern. Richness peaked at mid-latitudes, between 20°S to 23°S, where it was ~3.5-fold higher than localities with the lowest richness. This study provides the first large-scale description of benthic communities along the southwestern Atlantic, providing a baseline for macroecological comparisons and evaluation of future impacts. Moreover, the new understanding of richness distribution along Brazilian reefs will contribute to conservation planning efforts, such as management strategies and the spatial prioritization for the creation of new marine protected areas
Reef benthic communities provide many important ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, car... more Reef benthic communities provide many important ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, carbonate accretion and tridimensional complexity. Yet, reefs worldwide face an uncertain future, being threatened by local and global impacts. As an alternative approach to evaluate communities’ changes, functional ecology aims to understand how species shape the environment and how functions conduct ecosystems’ dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics (2013–2019) of the reef benthic community in the most pristine reef in Brazil, Rocas Atoll, using a functional diversity approach. We identified 48 organisms grouped into 17 functional entities (according to their traits’ combination), considering all sampling years. Benthic community was temporally dominated by functional entities responsible for providing low reef tridimensional complexity (represented mainly by turf algae). This dominance reflected in low values of functional entropy, due to uneven abundanc...
Los sistemas arrecifales son muy diversos y complejos estructuralmente. Debido a su alta densidad... more Los sistemas arrecifales son muy diversos y complejos estructuralmente. Debido a su alta densidad de organismos, el espacio en el sustrato es limitante para la comunidad sesil, y por eso muchos organismos interactuan por contacto fisico. Ese contacto puede ser el resultado de diversas interacciones ecologicas, e.g. competencia y facilitacion. Para competir por espacio, los corales escleractineos pueden utilizar sus filamentos mesentericos y desarrollar tentaculos especializados para agredir fisicamente organismos en contacto con ellos. Asi, la familia Mussidae es considerada la mas agresiva y las familias Siderastreidae, Poritidae y Agariciidae las menos agresivas. Para estudiar las interacciones de contacto entre corales escleractineos y otros organismos bentonicos, fueron analizadas fotografias del bentos arrecifal de 4 localidades brasilenas (Abrolhos 17°S, 38°W; Salvador 12°S, 38°W; Rio de Janeiro – RJ – 22°S, 42°W; Sao Paulo 23oS, 45oW). Se espera que en Abrolhos los corales in...
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