Exotic (introduced) species are a growing problem in ports worldwide and comprise the most important impacts in marine ecosystems. Periodic monitoring to detect introduced species is extremely important for effective population control. Here we sampled ascidian species near the port of Paranaguá for a taxonomic study of this fauna to attempt to detect introduced species. Larval stages in ascidians are short-lived, and dispersal is restricted to small distances, and so ascidians are very good bioindicators for exotic introductions due to ship transport. Four locations were sampled within Paranaguá Bay (Ilha das Cobras, Pier Tenenge, Ilha do Mel and Ilha da Galheta) and one location outside of the bay (Parque dos Meros). Information for the nearby fauna and for geographic distributions of the species involved was obtained from the literature. Eighteen species were found: Perophora multiclathrata (Sluiter, 1904), Ascidia curvata (Traustedt,1882), A. sydneiensis Stimpson, 1855, Clavelina oblonga Herdman, 1880, Cystodytes dellechiajei (Della Valle, 1877), Eudistoma carolinense van Name, 1945, Distaplia bermudensis van Name, 1902, Didemnum granulatum Tokioka, 1954, Diplosoma listerianum (Milne-Edwards, 1841), Lissoclinum fragile (van Name, 1902), Botryllus planus (van Name, 1902), B. tuberatus Ritter & Forsyth 1917, Botrylloides nigrum Herdman, 1886, Symplegma rubra Monniot, 1972, Styela canopus (Savigny, 1816), S. plicata (Lesueur, 1823), Microcosmus exasperatus Heller, 1878 and Molgula phytophila Monniot, 1970. The known geographic distributions based on the literature and collections suggest that three species are native, one is a inter-regional introduction, two are introduced from the Pacific and the remaining 12 are cryptogenic.

No abstract

No abstract

Most species of bryozoans have short-lived larvae with limited dispersal potential, yet many of these species possess global distributions. In this study, we report the first occurrence from the western Atlantic Ocean of the widely distributed arborescent bryozoan Tricellaria inopinata d 'Hondt and Occhipinti-Ambrogi, 1985. This species was collected in Eel Pond, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in September 2010. At that time, T. inopinata colonies had already formed dense conspecific aggregations at some collection sites, despite the presence of several other arborescent bryozoans. Sites were monitored throughout 2011 to track the success of this introduction, and to assess the reproductive timing of T. inopinata in Eel Pond. To determine the likelihood of T. inopinata persisting in Eel Pond and competing with previously established bryozoans, rates of metamorphic initiation, metamorphic completion, and overall offspring survivability were compared to one of the other dominant arborescent species. Finally, we provide taxonomic details to aid in identifying these animals, consider the potential mode of transport, and discuss the potential ecological implications resulting from this introduction.

The city of São Sebastião (SS), in south-eastern Brazil, is one of the hotspots for marine research since the establishment of the Centre of Marine Biology of the University of São Paulo in the 1960s. The SS region experienced intense transformation during the past 50 years, including increasing urbanization and construction of maritime facilities. Ascidian surveys during the past 50 years have found 62 species, eight of which were described as new and 12 are introduced. Didemnidae and Styelidae are the most speciose families in São Sebastião Channel, with 20 and 15 species respectively. Phallusia nigra, Didemnum psammatodes, Trididemnum orbiculatum, Botrylloides nigrum and Symplegma rubra are the most common ascidians. Most of the species are of tropical origin and São Paulo is their southern geographical limit. Comparisons of reports of the ascidians from different time periods allowed detection of species introductions and shifts in assemblage structure in terms of both species composition and abundance. Additionally, we discuss the main taxonomic issues regarding ascidians from south-eastern Brazil and identify profitable areas for future research. We believe that the temporal data compiled here will serve as a baseline for monitoring and management of ascidians in SS. Additionally, this study provides one of the most detailed datasets of ascidian diversity from the south-western Atlantic Ocean.

Exotic species invasions are one of the greatest threats to marine systems and ascidians have many characteristics that favor transport, colonization and establishment into new regions. Didemnum perlucidum is a widespread species that has been introduced into tropical ports around the world. Here we examine the colonizing ability of D. perlucidum by experimental use of artificial plates in a shellfish culture. The experiment comprised paired plates for colonization (bare and occupied) in 16 monthly replicates. Recruitment and space occupation were compared between bare and occupied plates and an estimation of reproductive effort was based on the number of larvae produced in each of ten colonies collected on the culture structures. D. perlucidum reproduced continuously but greatest reproduction occurred between December 2006 and May 2007. While recruitment was somewhat greater (number of new colonies) on bare plates, this species can colonize already occupied substrates and, surprisingly, colony area was always similar between treatments. Thus, while fewer colonies formed on occupied plates, once formed, colonies grew at rates similar to those on clean plates. Thus, D. perlucidum colonizes substrates very efficiently, especially when unoccupied space is available.

No abstract

As changes in coastal and marine environments are expected to negatively affect Brazilian ecosystems, the importance of Marine Environmental Education (MEE) comes to the fore. However, so far only 32 contributions related to this issue have been published in Brazil. The MEE workgroup of ReBentos aims at promoting EE and the communication of marine ecological research to the scholastic public as a whole, as well as to groups which exert an influence on general perception, such as the media, politicians, and scientists. This paper presents an overview of the initiatives of MEE in Brazil, with emphasis on the ReBentos projects and guidelines. The conceptual background of action is based on the Rio'92 Treaty on Environmental Education, thereby implying an MEE with Transdisciplinar, emancipatory and reflexive characteristics, directed to changes in values, principles and attitudes. During the period 2011 to 2015, 10 projects were developed from Alagoas to Santa Catarina States, involving the development, implementation and testing through scientific research of 16 MEE activity-models. The didactic material subsequently produced comprised three books and 21 book-chapters. A public of around 6,500 Conservation Unit visitors, 250 public school teachers and 800 high school students have been impacted to date. To act as monitors and multipliers, 250 undergraduate students and professionals were trained. Research project evaluation generated the publication of nine papers. As a further step, the need for protocol elaboration for each model is placed in evidence, in order to direct and facilitate future initiatives. AbstrActDescriptors: Marine environmental education, Climate changes, Marine biodiversity, Long-term monitoring.A importância da educação ambiental marinha (EAM) vem tomando relevância à medida que aumenta a expectativa de impactos nos ecossistemas brasileiros ocasionados por mudanças nos ambientes costeiros. Entretanto, apenas 32 contribuições sobre esse assunto foram publicadas no Brasil. O grupo de trabalho em EAM da ReBentos objetiva promover a comunicação da pesquisa ecológica marinha para o público escolar como um todo, bem como a grupos com influência na percepção comum, como a mí-dia, políticos e cientistas. Este trabalho apresenta uma visão das iniciativas em EAM no Brasil, com ênfase nos projetos e diretrizes da ReBentos. A base conceitual de ação é o Tratado de Educação Ambiental da Rio 92, implicando em um ensino com características transdisciplinares, reflexivas e emancipatórias, dirigidas a mudanças em valores, princípios e atitudes. Durante o período de 2011 a 2015, 10 modelos de atividade foram desenvolvidos, de Alagoas a Santa Catarina, envolvendo sua concepção, implementação e teste por meio de pesquisa científica. O material didático produzido compreendeu três livros e 21 capítulos de livros. Um público total ao redor de 5500 visitantes de UCs, 250 professores de escolas públicas e 800 estudantes foi impactado. Como monitores e multiplicadores, foram treinados 250 estudantes de graduação e pro...