Reef fish and benthic assemblages of the Trindade and Martin Vaz Island group, southwestern Atlantic

Abstract

A B S T R A C TThe Trindade and Martin Vaz island group (TMVIG) is located at about 1,120 km off the Brazilian coast. Despite its importance, highlighted by the presence of several endemic fish species, the TMVIG lacks detailed information on the structure of fish and benthic assemblages. Presented here is the first quantitative assessment of reef fish and benthic assemblages of the TMVIG in a depth gradient ranging from 5 to 45 m. Additional qualitative information on reef assemblages between 45 and 100 m was obtained using advanced gas diving techniques (TRIMIX) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Similarly to other Brazilian oceanic islands, the TMVIG possesses depauperated fish and benthic assemblages, possibly due to its isolation and small size in comparison to the mainland. Depth was the most important factor affecting the structure of fish assemblages, with the density of most fish species declining with depth. Deep reefs (> 45 m) were characterized by the presence of extensive rhodolith beds and rocky reefs sparsely covered with crustose coralline algae, black coral (Cirripathes sp.) and a few massive or plate-like reef corals. Part-time or obligatory planktivorous fishes (e.g. Cephalopholis furcifer and Clepticus brasiliensis) also dominated deep reefs. Similar characteristics were recorded in mesophotic reef ecosystems across the Western Atlantic. Evidence of overfishing (obtained here and in other recent studies), the presence of four endemic and restricted range fish species, as well as the increase in number of new (and still undescribed) endemic taxa, indicates that the adoption of precautionary conservation measures are urgently needed in order to maintain the fragile and unique ecosystems of the TMVIG. R E S U M OO conjunto insular de Trindade e Martin Vaz (CITMV) está localizado a aproximadamente 1.120 km da costa brasileira. Apesar de sua importância, salientada pela presença de diversas espécies endêmicas de peixes, não existem informações detalhadas sobre as assembléias de peixes e bentos do CITMV. É apresentada aqui a primeira caracterização quantitativa das assembléias de peixes e bentos do CITMV em um gradiente de profundidade entre 5 e 45 m. Informações qualitativas adicionais sobre assembléias recifais entre 45 e 100 m foram obtidas utilizando-se técnicas avançadas de mergulho (TRIMIX) e um veículo de operação remota (VOR). Assim como outras ilhas oceânicas brasileiras, a CITMV possui assembléias depauperadas de peixes e bentos, possivelmente devido ao seu isolamento e pequeno tamanho em comparação ao continente. A profundidade foi o fator que mais afetou a estrutura das assembléias de peixes, com a densidade da maioria das espécies declinando com o aumento da profundidade. Os recifes profundos (> 45 m) foram caracterizados pela presença de bancos extensivos de rodolitos e recifes rochosos esparsamente cobertos por algas coralináceas incrustantes, corais negros (Cirripathes sp.) e alguns corais massivos e em de forma de placa. Peixes parcialmente ou obrigatoriamente planctívoros (e.g...

REGISTROS DE Gonioplectrus hispanus (CUVIER, 1828) (ACTINOPTERYGII: EPINEPHELIDAE) NO ESTADO DA BAHIA (NORDESTE DO BRASIL), OCEANO ATLÂNTICO OCIDENTAL

“…As únicas coletas conhecidas foram feitas em 91 m de profundidade, contudo sem precisar a localidade, sendo não apenas um mergulho perigoso, mas demorado e caro, fazendo seus preços serem elevados (Michael, 2004). Apesar dos elevados preços praticados no mercado ornamental internacional, não há qualquer registro de coleta para esses fins ou mesmo observações no ambiente natural dessa espécie no Brasil (Feitosa et al, 2010;Pereira-Filho et al, 2011;Pinheiro et al, 2015;Sampaio, obs. pess.).…”

Reef fishes of the Anchieta Island State Park, Southwestern Atlantic, Brazil

“…Such frequent cold water intrusions, as well as the relatively wide depth range of the AISP, account for the presence of several reef fishes with subtropical and temperate affinities (Floeter et al 2001, Luiz Jr. et al 2008, Gibran & Moura 2012, Pinheiro et al 2015b. Furthermore, the high structural complexity of rocky shores , Dominici-Arosema & Wolf 2006, Gibran & Moura 2012, Teixeira-Neves et al 2015 and the broad depth range of coastal islands (Pereira-Filho et al 2011, Gibran & Moura 2012, Teixeira-Neves et al 2015, as well as the proximity to large estuaries and the protected status of the AISP, are responsible for the relatively high richness of fishes recorded herein.…”

Community structure of shallow rocky shore fish in a tropical bay of the southwestern Atlantic

“…LUCKHURST; LUCKHURST, 1978;FERREIRA et al, 2001;WILSON et al, 2007;MEDEIROS et al, 2011;PEREIRA-FILHO et al, 2011;CONI et al, 2013). Topographic complexity is an important factor that is generally positively associated with reef fish species richness and diversity, particularly as it provides shelter from predators BEETS, 1993).…”