Associated community with the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) from littoral of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

The community associated with the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum on shores (Porto de Galinhas and Guadalupe) in northeastern Brazil were analysed. Seasonal samples (dry and wet) were made in both beaches throughout one year. This preliminary study identified 28 taxa and recognized two modes of existence, endobionts (three taxa) and hypobionts (25 taxa). Among hypobionts two patterns of ecological relationships were found: those fixed to the rocky substrata or on the base of the zoanthid colony (11 taxa) and the free-living (14 taxa). In some of these relationships, the organisms observed (Carijoa riisei and barnacles), were under the mat as victims of the zoanthid overgrowth (spatial competition). The more abundant taxa were: Mollusca (28%), Crustacea (25%), Nematoda (24%) and Polychaeta (16%). Among all samples species richness, abundance, similarity and diversity were different, especially the dry season of Porto de Galinhas. Porto de Galinhas in the dry season showed the lowest diversity with only one record. After evaluating the different ecological parameters of the P. caribaeorum-associated community, we conclude that the Guadalupe shore maintains annual homogeneity, while Porto de Galinhas shore is notably different during the year. The only environmental difference between them seems to be the effect of human activity from tourism (reef walkers, fishery and diving), that could be directly and indirectly affecting some ecological parameters of this zoanthid-associated community, such as abundance, richness and diversity of species.

Spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the Northeast of Brazil

“…The results found in the study conducted by Pèrez et al (2005) showed a low number of epibenthic mollusc species associated to this zoanthid. One of the possible explanations for this negative relationship is the low structural complexity offered by this zoanthid, which forms extensive and flat dense covers with a high production of mucus.…”

Influence of Palythoa caribaeorum (Anthozoa, Cnidaria) zonation on site-attached reef fishes

“…As observed from other studies, P. caribaeorum dominated rocky shores throughout an extensive area of the Brazilian coast (Villaça and Pitombo 1997, Castro et al 1999, OigmanPszczol et al 2004). These reports indicate its presence from the Northeastern (Pérez et al 2005) to the Southeastern coast (Boscolo and Silveira 2005), including oceanic islands (Edwards and Lubbock 1983, Gasparini and Floeter 2001), and there is always a relationship with the depth gradient, something about 2 to 8 meters, and also with a weak/intermediate hydrodynamic regime. Despite a wide distribution, its dominance over reef fish communities were not investigated until now.…”

“…It is recognized as an aggressive competitor against neighbors for vital resources (Suchanek andGreen 1981, Sorokin 1995) and space (Lang 1973, Bak et al 1982 and to be tolerant to high environmental variability (Cooke 1976, Sebens 1982, Sorokin 1991, Kemp et al 2006. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of ecological processes encompassing its dominance which is less investigated, like the effects it could fulfill on the structure of reef communities (Sheppard 1982, Carlon and Olson 1993, Acosta et al 2005, Boscolo and Silveira 2005, Pérez et al 2005. The P. caribaeorum tissue contains a powerful high molecular weight toxin known as palytoxin (PTX) (Gleibs et al 1995).…”

“…In Brazilian reefs P. caribaeorum colonies are well developed and widespread (Castro et al 1995, Leão 1996, Villaça and Pitombo 1997, Oigman-Pszczol et al 2004, Pérez et al 2005, Floeter et al 2007). In the Southeastern Brazilian coast, rocky reefs dominate, while in the Northeastern coast, coral and sandstone reefs are the dominant component (Maida andFerreira 1997, Floeter et al 2001).…”

Effects of habitat structure on the epifaunal community in Mussismilia corals: does coral morphology influence the richness and abundance of associated crustacean fauna?

“…Several studies have identified such organisms hosting other organisms, e.g., sponges (Ribeiro et al 2003), hydroids (Genzano 2001), gorgonians (Kumagai 2008) and zoanthids (Pérez et al 2005); however, few studies have evaluated the importance of the habitat structure provided by such organisms (Vytopil and Willis 2001).…”