Reef fish hotspots as surrogates for marine conservation in the Brazilian coast

Vila-Nova, Daniele A.; Ferreira, Carlos E. L.; Barbosa, Fabiana Gonçalves; Floeter, Sergio R.

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2014.09.005

Cited by 23 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The relatively high number of endemic species concentrated in small and highly impacted areas makes the Brazilian Province a priority area for conservation efforts of coralline reefs in the Atlantic (Moura, ). Reef fisheries management and monitoring are almost non‐existent, and only 2% of the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is set aside as marine protected areas (MPAs), with only 0.8% of the coastal zone within no‐take areas (Di Dario et al., ; Vila‐Nova, Ferreira, Barbosa, & Floeter, ). In addition, the few MPAs are ill‐designed (Moura et al., ) and are not evenly distributed along the coast, with many hotspots (of richness, endemism, threatened and targeted species) remaining unmanaged and unprotected (Vila‐Nova et al., ; Vilar, Joyeux, Loyola, & Spach, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

South‐western Atlantic reef fishes: Zoogeographical patterns and ecological drivers reveal a secondary biodiversity centre in the Atlantic Ocean

Pinheiro

Rocha

Macieira

et al. 2018

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim To present an updated database of fish species recorded on south‐western Atlantic reef environments and to explore the ecological drivers of the structure, the latitudinal gradient of biodiversity and the centre of endemism in this peripheral province. Location South‐western Atlantic (SWA): Brazilian and Argentinian Provinces. Methods A database composed of 733 fish species along 23 locations in the SWA (00°55′ N to 43°00′ S) was compiled based on primary data, literature and museum records. Cluster and beta diversity analyses were carried out to evaluate faunal overlaps among locations and subprovinces. “Target‐area‐distance effect” and “stepping stones dispersal” hypotheses for assemblage composition were tested through Mantel tests. Relationships between the distribution patterns and ecological traits of reef fish species were investigated through generalized linear mixed‐effect models. Results Out of the 733 fish species, 405 are SWA resident reef fishes, of which 111 (27%) are endemics and 78 are threatened with extinction. Cluster analysis detected six subprovinces in the SWA structured following the target‐area‐distance model, and with no evidence for a latitudinal gradient in diversity. The greatest overall richness and endemic species richness were found in the east–south‐eastern region. Depth range, habitat use and body size were the main drivers of SWA reef fish assemblage structure. Main conclusions The Brazilian and Argentinian coasts constitute different provinces structured by oceanographic barriers and environmental filters. Similarities among oceanic islands indicate connectivity driven by stochastic and ecological factors. Species richness and endemism indicate that peripheral provinces may also bear centres of origin and biodiversity, patterns driven by parapatric/ecological speciation and the overlap between tropical and subtropical reef fish species. Ecological drivers of reef fish distribution, such as habitat specialization and body size, support hypotheses of speciation in the periphery. New approaches for spatial planning, marine protected areas and off‐reserve marine management are essential for the conservation and sustainability of SWA reef fishes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

South‐western Atlantic reef fishes: Zoogeographical patterns and ecological drivers reveal a secondary biodiversity centre in the Atlantic Ocean

Pinheiro

Rocha

Macieira

et al. 2018

Diversity and Distributions

Self Cite

160

169

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“…However, while the Espírito Santo State is recognized as a hotspot for conservation due to the Table 2 Reef benthic cnidarian species recorded in the newly discovered reef system in the southern of Abrolhos Bank, SW Atlantic Ocean. Geographical range, functional group and conservation status according to international (IUCN, 2015), national (MMA, 2014) and state (IEMA, 2005) Nova et al, 2014). Signs of anthropogenic impacts are already visible in the newly discovered reefs complex, such as anchoring damage and old fishing nets entangled with reef corals (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Newly discovered reefs in the southern Abrolhos Bank, Brazil: Anthropogenic impacts and urgent conservation needs

Mazzei

Bertoncini

Pinheiro

et al. 2017

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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The Abrolhos Bank is an area of high ecological, socio-economic importance and harbour the richest and most-extensive coral reefs in the South Atlantic. Here we report the discovery of shallow (12-25m depth) reef complex with ten large biogenic structures, intermediate between the typical mushroom-shaped pinnacles of the northern Abrolhos Bank (17°-18° S) and the small patch reefs found on the central/southern coast of the Espírito Santo State (19°-20° S). The newly discovered reefs harbour a relatively rich and abundant reef community, with 73 fish and 14 benthic cnidarian species, including endangered and commercially important ones. We discuss on urgent needs of properly mapping and understanding the ecological functioning of this reef system. Information provided here is a baseline for future impact evaluations, particularly considering the recent worst environmental disaster of Brazil from a dam collapse in Doce river that affected the region.

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“…The study was conducted at Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), located in eastern coast of Brazil (Figure 1), a region with high endemism of coral species in the South Atlantic Ocean (Leão et al, 2003) and considered priority for conservation (Vila-Nova et al, 2014;Cruz et al, 2015). Coral reefs in TSB are located both in entrance (the outer reefs, occupying an area of 17.7 km 2 ) and in its interior (the inner reefs, 13 km 2 ) (Figure 1).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Spongivory by Fishes on Southwestern Atlantic Coral Reefs: No Evidence of Top-Down Control on Sponge Assemblages

et al. 2018

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Predator-prey dynamics can affect assemblage structure and ecosystem processes representing a central theory in ecology. In coral reef ecosystems, recent evidences have suggested that sponge assemblages in regions with high diversity, like the Caribbean, are controlled by reef fishes (i.e., top-down control); however, this has been poorly studied in low diversity coral reefs. This study investigated the influence of fish predators on sponge assemblage structure in South Atlantic coral reefs, systems with high endemism and relatively low hermatypic coral diversity. We investigates (i) whether sponge cover is negatively correlated to spongivorous fish density, (ii) potential spongivory effects on competitive interactions between sponges and hermatypic corals, and (iii) foraging preferences of spongivorous fishes. Benthic cover and spongivorous fish density were assessed by photo sampling and visual census, respectively. We did not observe a negative correlation of the total density of spongivorous fish with total sponge cover. However, a significant negative correlation between density of fish species Pomacanthus arcuatus and cover of sponge species Scopalina ruetzleri was found. Spongivorous fish consumed preferentially the sponges Desmapsamma anchorata, Niphates erecta, Aplysina cauliformis, and S. ruetzleri, the first two species considered palatable and the second two with chemically defense mechanism. An increase to angelfish density was not related with the number of coral-sponge encounters. Thus, the effects of spongivorous fishes on sponges cover and competitive interactions with hermatypic corals is weaker in Southwestern Atlantic than previously reported in Caribbean coral reefs. We discuss how local human impacts (e.g., fishing and nutrients input) can influence the observed patterns.

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Reef fish hotspots as surrogates for marine conservation in the Brazilian coast

Cited by 23 publications

References 42 publications

South‐western Atlantic reef fishes: Zoogeographical patterns and ecological drivers reveal a secondary biodiversity centre in the Atlantic Ocean

South‐western Atlantic reef fishes: Zoogeographical patterns and ecological drivers reveal a secondary biodiversity centre in the Atlantic Ocean

Newly discovered reefs in the southern Abrolhos Bank, Brazil: Anthropogenic impacts and urgent conservation needs

Spongivory by Fishes on Southwestern Atlantic Coral Reefs: No Evidence of Top-Down Control on Sponge Assemblages

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