Benthic marine algae of the coral reefs of Brazil: a literature review

Figueiredo, Márcia Feijão de; Horta, Paulo Antunes; Pedrini, Alexandre de Gusmão; Nunes, José Marcos de Castro

doi:10.4257/oeco.2008.1202.07

Cited by 32 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 70 publications

(73 reference statements)

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“…In one of the few studies on rhodolith-associated benthic communities elsewhere in Brazil, Riul et al (2009) identified 67 seaweed species in a rhodolith bed between 10 and 20 m depth from the northeastern coast. Figueiredo et al (2008) recently summarized the benthic marine algae of Brazilian coral reefs, and the highest richness so far recorded in Brazil is less than that found in the present study, with species richness ranging from 51 taxa in the protected Recife de Fora Marine Reserve (Bahia State) to 122 taxa in Fernando de Noronha National Park (Pernambuco State). An important feature of some of the Brazilian coral reefs is that they are chiefly composed of nongeniculate coralline algae (Kikuchi and Leão 1997).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 46%

“…En uno de los pocos estudios realizados sobre las comunidades bénticas asociadas con rodolitos en Brasil, Riul et al (2009) identificaron 67 especies de algas en un manto rodolítico entre 10 y 20 m de profundidad en la costa nororiental. Figueiredo et al (2008) recientemente resumieron las algas marinas bénticas de arrecifes coralinos de Brasil, y la mayor riqueza registrada a la fecha es menor que la encontrada en el presente estudio, con la riqueza de especies oscilando entre 51 taxones en la Parque Marino Recife de Fora (estado de Bahía) y 122 taxones en el Parque Nacional Fernando de Noronha (estado de Pernambuco). Una característica importante de algunos arrecifes coralinos brasileños es que se componen principalmente de algas coralinas no geniculadas (Kikuchi y Leão 1997).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

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Seaweed diversity associated with a Brazilian tropical rhodolith bed

et al. 2010

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ABSTRACT. This study describes the predominantly tropical, subtidal seaweed populations growing on rhodoliths between 4 and 18 m depth in the southern part of Espírito Santo State (Brazil). Qualitative and quantitative sampling revealed species-rich algal communities, comprising 167 species. Three species of rhodophytes represent new records for the Brazilian marine flora (Lithothamnion muelleri, Scinaia aborealis, and Mesophyllum engelhartii). Marked seasonal differences in fleshy algal species composition and abundance were related to seasonal instabilities caused by winter-storm disturbance over the rhodolith beds. In relation to depth, rhodolith density appears to be an important factor for the variation in the abundance of fleshy algae. The rhodolith community is composed of at least seven nongeniculate crustose coralline algal species. Rhodolith beds in southern Espírito Santo State, in an area of 150 km 2 , provide an important habitat for epibenthic communities, supporting 25% of the known macroalgal species richness along the Brazilian coast.Key words: rhodoliths, marine algae of Brazil, benthic algal community, Espírito Santo State, crustose coralline algae. RESUMEN.Se describen las poblaciones de las macroalgas submareales predominantemente tropicales que crecen sobre rodolitos entre 4 y 18 m de profundidad en la parte sur del estado de Espírito Santo (Brasil). Muestreos cualitativos y cuantitativos revelaron comunidades ricas en especies de algas, incluyendo 167 especies. Tres especies de rodofitas son nuevas adiciones a la flora marina de Brasil (Lithothamnion muelleri, Scinaia aborealis y Mesophyllum engelhartii). Las marcadas diferencias estacionales en la composición y abundancia de especies de algas carnosas se relacionaron con la inestabilidad causada por el disturbio de tormentas invernales sobre los mantos de rodolitos. En cuanto a la profundidad, la densidad de rodolitos parece ser un factor importante para la variación en la abundancia de algas carnosas. La comunidad de rodolitos está formada por al menos siete especies de algas coralinas no geniculadas. Se demostró que los mantos de rodolitos, en un área de 150 km 2 , proporcionan un hábitat importante para las comunidades bentónicas, manteniendo 25% de la riqueza de especies de macroalgas conocidas para la costa brasileña.Palabras clave: rodolitos, algas marinas de Brasil, comunidad algal bentónica, estado de Espírito Santo, algas coralinas incrustantes.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 46%

Section: Discussionunclassified

Seaweed diversity associated with a Brazilian tropical rhodolith bed

et al. 2010

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“…Species ascribed to the genus Porolithon Foslie have been highlighted as being particularly important (Lee 1967, Adey 1978, Littler 1973, Littler & Doty 1975, Adey et al 1982, Gherardi & Bosence 1999, Littler & Littler 2000, Villas Bôas et al 2005, Figueiredo et al 2008. Notably, Porolithon onkodes (Heydrich) Foslie emend.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic review based on new data of the reef-building alga Porolithon onkodes (Corallinaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta) along with other taxa found to be conspecific

Maneveldt

Keats

2014

Phytotaxa

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Based on new studies of the type and of specimens from various localities in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, Porolithon onkodes was reaffirmed as a distinct species, but of variable morphological appearance. The following taxa were found to conform to the present-day diagnosis of P. onkodes and they are thus considered heterotypic synonyms thereof: P. antillarum, P. cocosicum P. pachydermum and P. sandvicense. Despite the suggested reproductive isolation of these taxa, there is no valid taxonomic reason for their separation as the characters considered diagnostic of P. onkodes were found to be present in all of them. Also, while molecular analysis using ITS sequence data has suggested that P. onkodes and P. pachydermum are distinct species, the complex and unpredictable evolutionary behaviour of ITS reduce its use for phylogenetic analysis. In many tropical Indo-Pacific and tropical eastern Atlantic regions, P. onkodes has been reported to be one of the single-most important ecological species because of its wide distribution. Similarly, P. pachydermum has been documented as one of the single-most important ecological species in many areas of the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic. As the two taxa are here shown to be conspecific, it is logical to suggest that P. onkodes is arguably one of the most widespread tropical to subtropical nongeniculate coralline algae. Porolithon onkodes not only occurs largely throughout the Indo-Pacific, but as a result of the present study, is now known to commonly occur throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the eastern and notably western Atlantic Ocean.

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“…The success of this colonization depends on the growth strategy of each species in the competition for space (Paine 1984;Steneck et al 1991;) in relation to physical conditions (Littler and Littler 1984;Kendrick 1991;Steneck and Dethier 1994) or biological disturbances (Paine 1984;Steneck et al 1991). Figueiredo (1997) showed that CCA in the southwest Atlantic have a similar degree of cover on wave-exposed offshore reefs after 3-5 months of colonization, in shallow zones dominated by Porolithon pachydermum (Foslie) Foslie and Lithophyllum congestum (Foslie) Foslie (Figueiredo and Steneck 2002;Figueiredo 2006;Figueiredo et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Species composition and cover of CCA and corals on the emergent banks of Brazilian reefs have been observed to change markedly at different intervals (Leão and Kikuchi 2005;Figueiredo et al 2008). Turf algae, fleshy algae Communicated by I. Bartsch.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2013

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Biological and physical disturbances create the conditions for species succession in any biological ecosystem. In particular, coral reefs are susceptible to this process because of the complexity of their ecological relationships. In the southwest Atlantic, nearshore reefs are mostly coated by a thin layer of coralline crusts rather than stony corals. However, little is known about the succession of crustose coralline algae. We studied this process by means of a series of experimental and control discs exposed to physical disturbance. Our results showed that the dominant species in natural conditions, Pneophyllum conicum, had early recruits and later became dominant on the discs, replicating the community structure of the actual reef. This species had mature reproductive structures and available spores from the beginning of the colonization experiments. Thicker crusts of Porolithon pachydermum and Peyssonnelia sp. were found on the discs after 112 days, and significantly increased their cover over the succeeding months; and after 1 year, P. conicum was less abundant. Physical disturbance increased crust recruitment and the low-light environment created by sediments. The data demonstrated coexistence among crustose coralline species and a tolerance to physical disturbance, which seemed to favor the thinner crusts of P. conicum over thick-crust species during succession. The succession pattern observed in this subtropical Brazilian coral reef differs from that described for shallow tropical reef communities.

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Benthic marine algae of the coral reefs of Brazil: a literature review

Cited by 32 publications

References 70 publications

Seaweed diversity associated with a Brazilian tropical rhodolith bed

Seaweed diversity associated with a Brazilian tropical rhodolith bed

Taxonomic review based on new data of the reef-building alga Porolithon onkodes (Corallinaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta) along with other taxa found to be conspecific

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

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