Distribuition of Crustose Coralline Algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in the Abrolhos Reefs, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT(Distribuition of crustose coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in the Abrolhos reefs, Bahia, Brazil) The crustose coralline algae have an important structural role in coral reef crests, as observed for some Atlantic reefs. In this work the distribution and abundance of crustose coralline algae and their relation to other benthic reef organisms were described for the Abrolhos Archipelago. The quantification of sessile organisms was made by SCUBA diving along replicated transect lines in different habitats and sites. Anovas were performed to test differences on algae abundance among sites and habitats. Coralline crusts did not show significant differences on abundance among sites (Anova, p>0,05), neither other benthic organisms (Anovas, p=0,634 invertebrates, p=0,767 filamentous algae, p=0,581 foliose algae, p=0,070 leathery algae and p=0,616 non calcareous crusts). Invertebrates and filamentous algae were the most abundant organisms on all sites and most habitats, contrasting with the low cover of coralline algae. In sheltered sites and on reef base it was observed a trend for an increase of fleshy foliose algae and leathery algae, contrasting with wave exposed sites. The distribution of coralline growth forms was characterized by a higher abundance of flat in relation to branched thalli. Branched coralline crusts are apparently more abundant within cryptic reef areas, not necessarily because of light limitation, but probably due to less herbivore pressure. Keywords: crustose coralline algae, distribution, reef habitats. RESUMO(Distribuição das algas calcárias incrustantes (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) nos recifes dos Abrolhos, Bahia, Brasil) As algas calcárias incrustantes possuem importante papel estrutural nas cristas recifais, como observado para alguns recifes do Atlântico. Neste trabalho, a distribuição e abundância das algas calcárias incrustantes em relação a outros organismos bênticos recifais foi descrita para o Arquipélago dos Abrolhos. A quantificação dos organismos sésseis foi por mergulho autônomo em transectos replicados em diferentes locais e habitats. Anovas foram usadas para testar diferenças na abundância das algas entre locais e habitats. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre locais nem na abundância de crostas calcárias (Anova, p>0,05) nem de outros organismos (Anovas, p=0,634 invertebrados, p=0,767 algas filamentosas, p=0,581 algas foliáceas, p=0,070 algas coriáceas). Invertebrados e algas filamentosas foram os organismos mais abundantes em todos os locais e maioria dos habitats, contrastando com a baixa cobertura de crostas calcárias. Nos locais abrigados e na base dos recifes, foi observada uma tendência para aumento de algas foliáceas pouco rígidas e algas coriáceas, contrastando com locais mais expostos às ondas. A distribuição dos morfótipos de crostas calcárias foi caracterizada pela alta abundância de talo plano em relação ao talo ramificado. As crostas calcárias ramificadas são aparentemente mais abundantes nas partes crípticas dos recifes, não necessariame...

Succession of crustose coralline red algae (Rhodophyta) on coralgal reefs exposed to physical disturbance in the southwest Atlantic

“…The number of times an organism found under 10 random sampling points on each transect line was counted and its overall proportion was calculated (method used to quantify CCA by Figueiredo and Steneck 2002;Villas Boas et al 2005;Tâmega and Figueiredo 2007). Nandon and Stirling (2006) indicated that LPI was the most cost-effective means of measuring coral cover and at least as precise and accurate as the belt transect and the line transect methods.…”

Nongeniculate coralline red algae (Rhodophyta: Corallinales) in coral reefs from Northeastern Brazil and a description of Neogoniolithon atlanticum sp. nov.

“…Additional material was provided by extensive sampling in Abrolhos Bank by . In addition, we compared our data to data and materials collected from 1999 to 2009 that have been described in several regional publications (Figueiredo 1997, Villaça & Pitombo 1997, Figueiredo & Steneck 2002, Villas Bôas et al 2005, Tâmega & Figueiredo 2007. Species of nongeniculate coralline algae were borrowed from collections taken by scuba diving or free diving in February, August, September, October and December of 2008 at reef crest and reef edge on the fringe reefs of Abrolhos Archipelago in 1 to 8 m deep, south of Bahia, Brazil.…”

“…Distribution in the study sites:-Abrolhos Archipelago in Brasil (Figueiredo & Steneck 2002, Tâmega & Figueiredo 2007, Creed et al 2010, Abrolhos Archipelago at Santa Bárbara Island (18º 09' 09" S-38º 53' 27" W and 18º 11' 08" S -38º 43' 24" W) and Siriba island (18º 00' 44" S-38º 53' 01" W), Chapeirão at Abrolhos Archipelago (18º 00' 14" S -38º 42' 13" W), Parcel dos Abrolhos (17º 58' 51" S-38º 39' 35" W and 18º 00' 46" S -38º 38' 22" W), Timbebas Reefs (17º 30' 22" S-39º 00' 47" W), Lixa Reefs (17º 40' 56" S 38º 57' 59" W), Areia Reefs (17º 36' 19" S -39º 03' 03" W) and Pedra Leste (17º 47' 11" S-39º 02' 54" W).…”

“…Geographical distribution:-Abrolhos Archipelago in Brazil (Figueiredo 1997, Figueiredo & Steneck 2002, Tâmega & Figueiredo 2007, Bahamas, Barbados, Greater and Lesser Antilles, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Virgins Islands, in the Caribbean (Taylor 1960, Littler & Littler 2000, Belize (Norris & Bucher 1982), Colombia (Díaz-Pulido & Díaz-Ruíz 2003), Cuba (Suárez 2005), Mexico (Mendoza-González & Mateo-Cid 1985).…”

“…The description of Brazilian reefs has not been updated. These crustose coralline algae occupy a wide variety of habitats, from the live coverage of hard substrates in the subtidal-to-intertidal region to waters more than 20 m deep off the northeastern Brazilian coast (Figueiredo 1997, Villaça & Pitombo 1997, Figueiredo & Steneck 2002, Tâmega & Figueiredo 2007.…”