The role of Asterina stellifera (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) as a predator in a rocky intertidal community in southern Brazil

Calil, Patrícia; Rocha, Rosana M.; Freire, Carolina A.; Roper, James J.

doi:10.1590/s1984-46702009000200010

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 41 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…A declining density has been reported for this species at the northern and central areas of its western latitudinal distribution (Calil et al, 2009) without an evident cause. For this reason, it was included in the Brazilian Red List of Endangered Species (MMA, 2004).…”

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 89%

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Meretta

Rubilar

Cledón

et al. 2014

Journal of Sea Research

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The reproductive cycle and environmental cues that regulate gonad production in Asterina stellifera were studied from April 2009 to April 2011 in a rocky subtidal habitat at the southernmost limit of its distribution (Mar del Plata, Argentina). The geographic variation in reproductive traits between latitudinal range limits was analyzed. The gonadal and pyloric caeca weight varied with sea star size and time in both sexes. Despite a previous study suggested absence of recruitment in a 4 years period, our data of the same period demonstrated that spawning happens from early spring to early summer. The gonad and pyloric caeca weight did not show an inverse relationship, this suggested that there is no dependence on energy transfer between the organs and that the bat star presented a good nutritional state. Seawater temperature appears to be the variable explaining gonad proliferation at the range limits of A. stellifera distribution. Furthermore, differences in sex ratio, oocyte production, oogenesis duration and capability of energy transformation into ova were found between range limits.

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Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 89%

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Meretta

Rubilar

Cledón

et al. 2014

Journal of Sea Research

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“…Some differences in the physiological responses of the two different populations of A. lixula were observed, possibly due to genetic differences or environmental (ecological) differences between their beaches habitat in RJ and SC. Paciência beach, in SC, has a rocky shore, a seawater salinity regime which varies from 32 to 36 psu (De Macedo, ), and salinity values of 5–39 psu measured in tidal pools during extreme weather conditions (measured in Trapiche Beach, near Paciência Beach by Calil, Rocha, Freire, & Roper, ), generally with two tidal cycles daily (DHN ). Specimens of A. lixula have always been sampled from subtidal areas of these beaches in SC State (also in previous studies by this laboratory: Santos et al., ; Vidolin et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Paciência beach, in SC, has a rocky shore, a seawater salinity regime which varies from 32 to 36 psu (De Macedo, 2012), and salinity values of 5-39 psu measured in tidal pools during extreme weather conditions (measured in Trapiche Beach, near Paciência Beach by Calil, Rocha, Freire, & Roper, 2009), generally with two tidal cycles daily (DHN 2016). Specimens of A. lixula have always been sampled from subtidal areas of these beaches in SC State (also in previous studies by this laboratory: Santos et al, 2013;Vidolin et al, 2007).…”

Section: P Gaimardi Indeed Seems To Be An Intermediate Species Betweenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early time course of variation in coelomic fluid ionic concentrations in sea urchins abruptly exposed to hypo‐ and hyper‐osmotic salinity challenges: Role of size and cross‐section area of test holes

et al. 2017

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Echinoderms are restricted to the marine environment and are osmoconformer invertebrates. However, some species live in unstable environments. Especially those species, and those of larger body size, tend to show variable, albeit transient, ionic gradients between their coelomic fluid and external seawater. In order to further examine how sea urchin size relates to apparent ionic permeability of their body wall/epithelia, specimens of Echinometra lucunter, Lytechinus variegatus, Paracentrotus gaimardi, and Arbacia lixula-A. lixula of two distinct populations, Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina-were abruptly transferred from 35 psu to either 25 or 45 psu. Sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium concentrations were assayed in their coelomic fluids after 0, 1, 2, and 3 hr of exposure. Relative area of putative permeable (i.e., cross section areas of soft tissues, or test holes) surfaces (PPS) was estimated in empty tests as the sum of the peristomial area (oral hole in the empty test) and the total cross-section area of ambulacral holes, divided by the total volume (TV) of the test. L. variegatus and E. lucunter, the largest species, had PPS/TV values similar to that of the much smaller P. gaimardi. A. lixula was the "most putatively-permeable and conformer" among them all, especially urchins from the Santa Catarina population. Internal ionic levels equilibrated faster with external water in 45 than in 25, and differences among ions were observed. Body size is relevant, among many other factors, to aid conformers such as sea urchins to dwell in intertidal unstable habitats.

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“…During the last decade the abundance of A. stellifera in northern and central areas has declined to the point of being included in the Brazilian list of endangered species (Ministério do meio ambiente ; Calil et al . ). Recent surveys of northern populations indicated that this trend is not reverting (Meretta ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The species is endemic to the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Cabo Frio, Brazil (23°S, 42°W) to Mar del Plata, Argentina (35°S, 56°W) (Clark & Downey 1992). During the last decade the abundance of A. stellifera in northern and central areas has declined to the point of being included in the Brazilian list of endangered species (Minist erio do meio ambiente 2004;Calil et al 2009). Recent surveys of northern populations indicated that this trend is not reverting (Meretta 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth pattern and changes in abundance of the endangered bat star Asterina stellifera

et al. 2016

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The sea star Asterina stellifera has declined during the last decade and is currently abundant only in the southern limit of its former range. We surveyed this population over 5 years to model individual growth and explore the relationship of changes in local abundance with variation in environmental factors and the reproductive status of individuals. Our results show that A. stellifera is a species with slow growth and a relatively long lifespan. Contrary to expectations for temperate species, growth rates were fairly constant through the year and therefore models including seasonal oscillations were inappropriate. The abundance of this species increased significantly from early spring to early summer, likely due to augmented activity and small‐scale aggregation during the reproductive season that affected our estimates of abundance. No significant recruitment occurred during the 5 years studied. The lack of recruitment during long periods and the slow individual growth rates make A. stellifera particularly vulnerable to local extinction. This study was performed prior to the arrival in the study area of the invasive kelp Undaria pinnatifida and side‐gilled sea slug Pleurobranchaea maculata, species that threaten the community structure where A. stellifera lives. Therefore, the information reported here will be essential to assessing the impacts of these exotic species on this sea star population.

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The role of Asterina stellifera (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) as a predator in a rocky intertidal community in southern Brazil

Cited by 10 publications

References 41 publications

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Early time course of variation in coelomic fluid ionic concentrations in sea urchins abruptly exposed to hypo‐ and hyper‐osmotic salinity challenges: Role of size and cross‐section area of test holes

Growth pattern and changes in abundance of the endangered bat star Asterina stellifera

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