Rhodolith beds in Brazil: a new potential habitat for marine bioprospection

Amado‐Filho, Gilberto M.; Pereira-Filho, Guilherme H.

doi:10.1590/s0102-695x2012005000066

Cited by 34 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…The rhodolith structure provides a hard surface and three-dimensional substrate that serves as a microhabitat for a wide variety of associated invertebrates, algae and fish, many of which are economically and ecologically important [35][36][37]. Moreover, rhodoliths represent one of the world's largest deposits of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ), with an estimated 2 × 10 11 t [28,38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seabed Morphology and Sedimentary Regimes defining Fishing Grounds along the Eastern Brazilian Shelf

et al. 2018

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Shelf morphology and sedimentary regimes are influenced by processes operating at different temporal and spatial scales and are important records of sea level changes and sediment supply and/or carbonate production. The northern continental shelf of Espírito Santo (Brazil) contains evidence of different sedimentary regimes that distribute diverse and complex marine habitats. Herein, seabed morphology, acoustic images of the seafloor (side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler), and sediment samples were used to investigate the influence of sedimentary regimes on physical marine habitat distribution. Seabed mapping is also integrated with available data on fisheries to understand the influence of shelf morphology and sedimentology in the usage of distinct fishing gears. The results indicate five morpho-sedimentary facies: terrigenous mud, terrigenous sand, rhodolith beds, carbonate gravel with rhodoliths, and hardground. Through an integrated analysis of the geomorphology and sedimentary distribution, two morpho-sedimentary domains were identified: a sediment-fed shelf adjacent to the Doce River associated with a major mud depocenter and a delta front morphology characterized by gentle slopes and low terrain ruggedness, and a sediment-starved shelf dominated by carbonate sedimentation showing an irregular morphology associated with higher slopes and terrain ruggedness. These contrasting morpho-sedimentary domains are a result of sedimentary responses to sea level fluctuation during Late Quaternary, specially, during the deglaciation processes after the Last Glacial Maximum. The morphological and sedimentary contrasts along the area define the physical habitat distribution. The sediment supply regime area is associated with a terrigenous fine/muddy sedimentation bed, which control the local morphology and favors coastal and delta front progradation. This physical habitat is a well-known shrimp-fishing ground where intense trawling takes place, as well as gillnet fisheries targeting weakfish and croakers. The accommodation regime or low sediment influx area is characterized by carbonate sedimentation associated with hardgrounds and rhodolith beds. In contrast, this physical habitat with scarce sediment supply, facilitates extensive benthic colonization by crustose coralline algae (CCA), which is primarily associated to line fisheries, longlines, and spearfishing. Rhodoliths show a high diversity of CCA and the occurrence of an endemic kelp species. Long-term processes such as relative sea level fluctuations and sediment supply are a legacy for the distribution of benthic

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seabed Morphology and Sedimentary Regimes defining Fishing Grounds along the Eastern Brazilian Shelf

et al. 2018

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“…Rhodoliths are incrusting, non-articulate aggregates of calcareous algae that usually occur in shallow waters, providing hard substrate for other organisms (Foster et al, 2007;. These algae retain calcium carbonate, and provide important information on paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions in a particular area (Amado-Filho & Pereira-Filho, 2012;Aguirre, Braga, & Bassi, 2017). Rhodolith banks are recorded from several regions in the world, mainly in the Gulf of California, in the Caribbean, along the Atlantic coast of Canada, in Great Britain, Norway, Japan, and Australia (Foster, 2001;Amado-Filho & Pereira-Filho, 2012).…”

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Is tourism affecting polychaete assemblages associated with rhodolith beds in Northeastern Brazil?

Costa

Silva²,

Silva

et al. 2019

RBT

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ABSTRACT. Introduction: Rhodoliths are biogenic structures distributed worldwide, formed by several types of calcareous algae. They may host a great diversity of marine invertebrates, among which polychaetes are conspicuous and diversified representatives. Rhodolith beds are notwithstanding vulnerable to several human activities (e.g. exploitation of commercial species associated with rhodoliths, petroleum exploration, fishing activities, effluent discharges, and tourism), which may compromise that diversity. Tourism is presently increasing its impact on rhodolith beds. Global warming and ocean acidification are also determinant factors in faunal change. Objective: to analyse the polychaete assemblages associated with rhodolith beds subject to different intensities of touristic pressure at Seixas Beach (NE Brazil), where tourism is gradually increasing over time. Methods: Effects were evaluated at two depths, 1.5 m and 4.0 m. Sampling was done every two months during 2015, encompassing the two marked seasons of the year in the region (rainy and dry). Quadrats of 15 x 15 cm were placed in each depth during sampling. All rhodoliths present within the quadrat were collected (usually four to five rhodoliths). Our hypothesis was that the deeper depth and the samples from the dry season months would be increasingly subject to the impact of tourism. Results: Overall, 49 species were found (from 21 different families), and a total of 733 individuals were collected. The most abundant species was Eunice wasinensis (280 individuals, 38.2% of total abundance). The species Eurythoe complanata, Eunice biannulata, E. wasinensis, Lysidice ninetta, Oxydromus pugettensis and Ceratonereis (Ceratonereis) singularis appeared in all months. The study detected a tendency for higher diversity to occur at the depth of 1.5 m for all indices, but only the Shannon-Wiener values were significantly higher there (p < 0.05). No clear differences were found regarding months or season. Conclusions: These results suggest that a higher potential pressure due to tourism may occur at 4.0 m due to more intense craft shipping activities (traffic of catamaran boats transporting tourists to and from the reefs) in that area.

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“…Echinoderms constitute one of the most conspicuous taxa in marine environments, but their biodiversity in the South Atlantic is still insufficiently known, especially in the subtidal Northeast coast. In Brazil, the diversity of echinoderms associated with rhodoliths beds still remains unknown [32]. These cited authors also pointed out that at present, the fauna associated with rhodoliths seems to be the greatest gap in Brazilian biodiversity knowledge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Filling a Knowledge Gap on the Biodiversity of Rhodolith-Associated Echinodermata from Northeastern Brazil

Gondim

Dias

Duarte

et al. 2014

Tropical Conservation Science

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Rhodolith beds formed by non-articulated calcareous algae have been recognized as important habitats for a range of organisms. The Brazilian coast is home to one of the largest beds of the Southwestern Atlantic, but the lack of faunal studies in these habitats represents one of our major gaps in the knowledge of Brazilian biodiversity. This study compares the composition, abundance and diversity of echinoderm species associated with rhodoliths in three different isobaths (10, 15 and 20 m) along the coast of the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. These rhodolith beds provided 2,855 specimens, representing 32 species from four Classes, of which Ophiuroidea was the most numerous. The echinoderm community was significantly different considering the abundance of individuals (F=452.86, p=0.001) and the number of species (F=45.14, p=0.006) among the three depths analyzed. Abundance and species numbers decrease with increasing depth. Rhodolith beds in the State of Paraíba are an important habitat for echinoderms, harboring a high diversity and abundance of associated species. Richness and diversity records exceed those found in other coastal areas around the world, indicating that these banks are of special relevance for the conservation of echinoderms in Brazil.

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Rhodolith beds in Brazil: a new potential habitat for marine bioprospection

Cited by 34 publications

References 59 publications

Seabed Morphology and Sedimentary Regimes defining Fishing Grounds along the Eastern Brazilian Shelf

Seabed Morphology and Sedimentary Regimes defining Fishing Grounds along the Eastern Brazilian Shelf

Is tourism affecting polychaete assemblages associated with rhodolith beds in Northeastern Brazil?

Filling a Knowledge Gap on the Biodiversity of Rhodolith-Associated Echinodermata from Northeastern Brazil

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