Gastropoda (Mollusca) associated to Sargassum sp. beds in São Sebastião Channel - São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1676-06032014011514Abstract: The phytal is characterized by the formation of seaweed beds and a great diversity of associated species, the malacofauna being one of its main components. Aiming to record the species of Gastropoda associated to the brown algae Sargassum sp. C. Agardh, 1820, this study was carried out in Sã o Sebastião Channel, northern coast of Sã o Paulo, and nearby areas. A total of 13945 individuals were identified, belonging to 35 families and 62 species. Cerithiidae, Phasianellidae and Columbellidae were the most abundant families, represented by 34, 33 and 17% of the total collected individuals, respectively. Bittiolum varium (Pfeiffer, 1840) (Cerithiidae) and Eulithidium affine (C. B. Adams, 1850) (Phasianellidae) are the dominant species, followed by the columbelids Mitrella dichroa (G. B. Sowerby I, 1844), Anachis fenneli Radwin, 1968 and Costoanachis sertulariarium (d'Orbigny, 1839). Among the least abundant species, some of them may be considered as of fortuitous occurrences, while others seem to be typical in those habitats, although rare. The presence of juvenile specimens was recurrent, this indicating that the algae can function as a nursery for most of these species. The expressive values found, for both abundance and number of species, illustrate the great ecological importance of the phytal habitats for the gastropod species.

Inventory of mollusks from the estuary of the Paraíba River in northeastern Brazil

“…In contrast, Grande Island is located in an estuarine complex with the best conserved mangrove areas in northeastern Brazil (Carlos et al 2010, Barroso et al 2013. Although not addressing the malacofauna of estuarine regions, other taxonomic studies (e.g., Longo et al 2014, Tallarico et al 2014, Duarte et al 2014 report somewhat similar compositions and abundances for the taxonomic groups found in the present investigation.…”

“…All bivalve species identified are filter feeders (see Rios 2009). Cerithiidae and Neritidae are among the most abundant families of herbivorous caenogastropods sampled from coastal environments of Brazil (Rios 2009, Ourives et al 2011, Duarte et al 2014, Longo et al 2014. Neritina virginea and Cerithium atratum were the most abundant herbivorous gastropods collected in the present study, both of which are commonly found associated with seagrass (see Longo et al 2014, Duarte et al 2015.…”

“…Cerithiidae and Neritidae are among the most abundant families of herbivorous caenogastropods sampled from coastal environments of Brazil (Rios 2009, Ourives et al 2011, Duarte et al 2014, Longo et al 2014. Neritina virginea and Cerithium atratum were the most abundant herbivorous gastropods collected in the present study, both of which are commonly found associated with seagrass (see Longo et al 2014, Duarte et al 2015. On the other hand, neogastropods of the families Columbellidae, Melongenidae, Muricidae, Nassariidae and Olivellidae are among the main carnivorous and/or scavenger gastropod groups living in estuarine regions (Rios 2009, Ourives et al 2011.…”

“…Barroso et al (2013) found 47 species of mollusks from the Grande Island estuarine complex in the state of Ceará (northeastern Brazil). Longo et al (2014) recognized 62 gastropod species associated with the brown algae Sargassum sp. in the São Sebastião Channel on the northern coast of the state of São Paulo (southeastern Brazil).…”

Community structure and functional traits of mollusks associated with coastal reef macroalgae in Northeastern Brazil

“…Columbellidae was the family with the greatest species richness and is composed predominantly of small species that are common in the phytal environment. However, the species B. varium of the family Cerithiidae represented 42.8% of the mollusks sampled, and commonly dominates phytal mollusk communities (Leite, Tambourgi, & Cunha, ; Longo et al, ).…”