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Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:38:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-12 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundacao RENOVA Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) FAPES Instituto Linha D'Agua Understanding habitat-level variation in community structure provides an informed basis for natural resources' management. Reef fishes are a major component of tropical marine biodiversity, but their abundance and distribution are poorly assessed beyond conventional SCUBA diving depths. Based on a baited-video survey of fish assemblages in Southwestern Atlantic's most biodiverse region we show that species composition responded mainly to the two major hard-bottom megahabitats (reefs and rhodolith beds) and to the amount of light reaching the bottom. Both megahabitats encompassed typical reef fish assemblages but, unexpectedly, richness in rhodolith beds and reefs was equivalent. The dissimilar fish biomass and trophic structure in reefs and rhodolith beds indicates that these systems function based on contrasting energy pathways, such as the much lower herbivory recorded in the latter. Rhodolith beds, the dominant benthic megahabitat in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic shelf, play an underrated role as fish habitats, and it is critical that they are considered in conservation planning. Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, SAGE COPPE, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Lab Ecol Aquat & Educ Ambiental, Tres Rios, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Sul Bahia, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Porto Seguro, BA, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Santos, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil

Funding was provided by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project grant (no. RPG-2018-113) to H.L.B., G.A.T. and I.D.W.S., an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grant (no. EP/L017008/1) to G.A.T. and I.D.W.S., and a São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) individual grant (no. 2016/14017-0) to G.H.P.F. The euphotic-mesophotic transition is characterized by dramatic changes in environmental conditions, which can significantly alter the functioning of ecosystem engineers and the structure of their associated communities. However, the drivers of biodiversity change across the euphotic-mesophotic transition remain unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms affecting the biodiversity-supporting potential of free-living red coralline algae-globally important habitat creators-towards mesophotic depths. Across a 73 m depth gradient, we observed a general decline in macrofaunal biodiversity (fauna abundance, taxon richness and alpha diversity), but an increase in beta-diversity (i.e. variation between assemblages) at the deepest site (86 m depth, where light levels were less than 1% surface irradiance). We identified a gradient in abundance decline rather than distinct ecological shifts, driven by a complex interaction between declining light availability, declining size of the coralline algal host individuals and a changing host taxonomy. However, despite abundance declines, high between-assemblage variability at deeper depths allowed biodiversity-supporting potential to be maintained, highlighting their importance as coastal refugia. Postprint

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:31:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-09-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Marine protected areas (MPAs) represent a useful tool for resource management, as well as to conserve and/or restore biological communities. The level of protection is key factor influencing the marine biodiversity, where a more enforced protection is expected to drive positive outcomes. In 2008, a large MPAs network (∼11,380 km 2) was established in one of off the most populated and industrialized areas in the world (i.e., São Paulo State coast, southeast Brazil). Given many goods and services provided by marine ecosystems, this MPA network represents the most challenging marine conservation initiative in Brazil. Harboring​ areas with different socio-ecological contexts and management regimes, this MPA network provides a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of cumulative impacts. We contrasted the biomass and size structure of reef fish in three subtropical islands under different levels of enforcement. We analyzed the influence of variables as island size, benthic cover, depth, topographic complexity, wave exposure, and protection level on the biomass of reef fish assemblages. Protection level was the main attribute responsible to explain the high biomass of fish target species and small territorial herbivores. In sites sheltered from the waves, the biomass of groupers was ∼1600% higher within enforced area than that from open-access area. Beyond the idea of positive effects of enforcement on reef fish biomass and size, we add evidences that even under multiple stressors, the area-based management is still a strong tool to marine conservation. Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar) Instituto do Mar Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144 Instituto de Biologia and SAGE/COPPE Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro CT-2, Rua Moniz de Aragão 360, bl.2 Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária Departamento de Ciências do Meio Ambiente Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Pref. Alberto da Silva Lavinas, 1847 Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitarú, São Vicente Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas Universidade Federal do ABC Rua Arcturus, 03, Jardim Antares, São Bernardo do Campo Instituto Laje Viva São Paulo SP Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, Parque Bitarú, São Vicente FAPESP: #2017/22273-0 FAPESP: #2019/19423-5

Ecologically important marine ecosystems should be identified and protected, as is the case of the poorly known SW Atlantic rhodolith beds. Understanding the main variables predicting biodiversity patterns is essential for determining priority areas for conservation. Here, we analyzed the macroinvertebrate associated with rhodoliths from euphotic and mesophotic zones from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago investigating the drivers of diversity distribution in this habitat. Rhodoliths were sampled and vagile macroinvertebrates (>500 μm) were classified and quantified. We verified that estimated density of organisms associated with rhodoliths in the euphotic zone was 17 % greater than the mesophotic zone. The communities along depth zones show dissimilarities, suggesting that both environments are ecologically distinct. Comparisons with other ecosystems revealed that rhodolith beds have similar diversity of macroinvertebrates. We also found that four of the six tested variables predicted 85 % of the variability observed in the vagile macroinvertebrate community (i.e. average diameter, depth, biomass of macroalgae and density of rhodoliths in the bed). These variables should be taken into account in future research in modeling the biodiversity associated with the rhodolith beds. This is especially relevant in the SW Atlantic where the rhodolith beds seem to harbor an associated biodiversity greater than previous works had indicated, moreover, they represent one of the main ecosystems that are often superimposed with mining activities.

The Atlantic Ocean encompasses approximately 10% of the global carbonate reef area, but the austral limits of coral reef distribution within this basin are still unclear. The lack of reef area and distribution estimates clearly hampers marine spatial planning and management in several regions, especially in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. In this area, significant freshwater, nutrient, and terrigenous sediment inputs constrain the detection of subtidal features by remote sensing. Here, we describe the coral reef of Queimada Grande Island (QGI) (24°S). The documented reef covers approximately 75,000 m2 between depths of 7 and 12 m, forming a relatively flat-topped plateau that fringes the leeward (W) side of the island. The framework was built mainly by M. decactis colonies that were cemented in place by crustose coralline algae (CCA). This peculiar structure lays approximately 1000 km south of the Abrolhos reefs, within a tropical-subtropical transition zone, constituting the southernmost Atlantic carbonate reef built by corals already reported. Our data reveal the enormous scientific and biodiversity conservation value hidden at the coastal islands of the Brazilian Biogeographical Province. Despite the high levels of fisheries activities, we found living coral coverage similar to that of southwestern Atlantic marine protected areas.

Between 2014 and 2017, an unprecedented heat stress accumulated and propagated across the tropical oceans and resulted in the so-called Third Global Bleaching Event (TGBE). Information about the effects of the TGBE in marginal coral reef provinces are still scarce, but can be relevant to understand the trajectories of coral reefs as climate changes intensify. Akin to deep mesophotic reefs and reefs in thermally stressed regions, low diversity, turbid-zone reefs may exhibit high bleaching tolerance due to local adaptations and conditions (e.g., shading by turbidity). Here, we summarize previous bleaching events in the tropical Western South Atlantic Ocean and explore taxonomic, cross-shelf and habitat-related bleaching trends in the Abrolhos reefs in February, May, June and October 2016, and March 2017. Fire corals (Millepora spp.) were the most affected, but all scleractinian species and several octocorals and zoanthids also bleached. Bleaching prevalence was higher in shallow coastal and offshore reef arcs than in deeper mesophotic reefs. All coral species bleached, but there were taxonomic and habitat-related trends in bleaching prevalence. Several species bleached less in the sites and habitats where their abundance was lower. As of March 2017, coral mortality was overall low across the region (

Emerging evidence have been supporting the idea that the better known South Atlantic coral reefs (located between 18°S and 24°S) are now essentially senescent structures that have experienced little or no additional vertical reef growth over the past millennia. This has often coincided with a shift to a dominance of non-coral calcifying organisms becoming the main CaCO3 producers in these high latitude and marginal marine settings. Here, we used Calcification Accretion Units (CAUs) and census-based methods to measure non-coral rates of CaCO3 production on the geologically senescent reef and adjacent rhodolith beds within the southernmost subtropical Atlantic reef (i.e., Queimada Grande Reef, QGR). The reef habitat is currently producing CaCO3 at rates of ∼126 g m−2 yr−1. In contrast, fragments of dead corals skeletons deposited adjacent to the reef over the last ∼2000 years are now colonized by crustose coralline red algae. These form a rhodolith bed that produces CaCO3 at rates of 858 g m−2 yr−1. Our results indicate that, whilst not sufficient to promote active net framework accumulation, CaCO3 production by coralline algae and bryozoans on the QGR appears to be sufficient to at least limit net large-scale erosion of the underlying reef structure, allowing the reef structure to persist in a state close to budgetary stasis. Finally, our results are also of relevance for providing insights regarding the balance of CaCO3 production/dissolution/erosion processes in coral reefs, especially in these less understood marginal reefs.

The genus Pariphinotus Kunkel, 1910 comprises a total of six species around the world, with circumtropical and subtropical distribution, commonly occurring in shallow waters, in soft bottoms and algae, including a previous record of P. seclusus (Shoemaker, 1933) from Brazil. Material examined was collected by SCUBA diving, from rhodolith beds, 12 meters deep, at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off the northeastern Brazilian coast. The new Brazilian species described here can be diagnosed by a unique combination of character states present in other species of the genus. However, it has two exclusive characteristics, distinguishing it from the group: medial apex of pleopod 3 peduncle with two small hook setae, and uropod 1 peduncle not exceeding the apex of telson.

Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 is considered a circumtropical species and was originally described based on material collected from two localities near halfway between the southwestern Africa and northeastern Brazil. The species is redescribed here with samples from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil. The material examined was collected by SCUBA diving, from rhodolith beds, in Ressureta Channel, between Meio and Rata Islands. Additional material was collected from off Ceará state coast, during environmental consultancies, by Petrobras S. A., and off Pernambuco state coast, during the Project REVIZEE NE IV. Discussion on morphological variations of the species is presented, based on the studied material and previous descriptions in the literature. RESUMO Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 é considerada uma espécie circumtropical e foi originalmente descrita com material coletado em duas localidades, a meio caminho entre o sudoeste da África e o nordeste do Brasil. A espécie é redescrita aqui com amostras do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, estado de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. O material estudado foi coletado por mergulho autônomo, em camas de rodolitos, no canal Ressureta, entre as ilhas do Meio e Rata. Material adicional foi coletado ao largo da costa do estado do Ceará, durante consultorias ambientais coordenadas pela Petrobras S. A., e ao largo da costa do estado de Pernambuco, durante o Projeto REVIZEE NE IV. É apresentada discussão sobre as variações morfológicas da espécie, baseada no material estudado e em descrições prévias na literatura.

Marine constructions modify physical conditions by interfering with water circulation and increasing sedimentation and pollution, leading to biological homogenization. However, they also increase the availability of hard substrata for larval recruitment, resulting in the development of a diverse sessile community and associated fish fauna. To describe how the modifications caused by a floating marina affect reef fish assemblages at Sao Sebastiao Channel, SW Atlantic, a multiparameter probe and a visual census methodology were used to compare the abiotic conditions and the diversity and abundance of fishes between two areas: the area inside the marina where boats are moored and the breakwater, an area more similar to nearby natural rocky shores. The area inside the marina presented more turbid and productive waters, while the breakwater was more turbulent. The abundance of fishes inside the marina was greater than at the breakwater throughout the study, but species richness was higher inside the marina only during the hot and wet period (Austral Summer and Spring). Fish assemblages were strictly different between areas. Species dominance for each area and at nearby natural rocky reefs was also different. This study shows that artificial habitat causes micro-spatial modifications to local fish assemblages. As spatial variations were related to the behavioural and ecological aspects of fishes, marine facilities should be carefully planned, and engineering principles should be combined with ecological processes to better resemble natural habitats, thereby reducing environmental impacts.

Understanding the effects of environmental drivers on fish distribution is of primary importance for designing effective conservation measures to protect endangered species. In this study, we investigated which habitat and spatial predictors enhance the abundance and biomass of the parrotfish Sparisoma frondosum in tropical rocky reefs from a Southwest Atlantic insular complex. Besides more than 170 islands, the Ilha Grande Bay (IGB) also harbors one of the most threatened Brazilian Marine Protected Area (MPA), the Ecological Station of Tamoios (ESEC–Tamoios). This no-take MPA became an emblematic area of the systematic dismantling of Brazilian environmental laws ongoing since the beginning of 2019 when the current government has declared intentions to recategorize and reduce the ESEC-Tamoios protection status. Our results revealed that distance from the coast and depth better explained the distribution of the iconic and vulnerable S. frondosum, regardless the presence of the no-take areas. An overall trend of increasing abundance and biomass with distance and depth was observed, except for sites with high cover of invasive coral Tubastraea spp. We also discuss the ESEC-Tamoios effectiveness and its current panorama to the Southwest Atlantic rocky reef's conservation. Finally, we identify strategies to protect parrotfishes and expand the ecological benefit of this MPA to adjacent areas.

Whilst the impacts of climatic and oceanographic change on lower latitude reefs are increasingly well documented, our understanding of how reef-building has fluctuated in higher latitude settings remains limited. Here, we explore the timing and longevity of reef-building through the mid- to late Holocene in the most southerly known reef (24°S) in the Western Atlantic. Reef core data show that reef growth was driven by a single coral species, Madracis decactis, and occurred over two phases since ~6000 calibrated (cal.) yr B.P.. These records further indicate that there was a clear growth hiatus from ~5500 to 2500 cal. yr B.P., and that there is no evidence of reef accretion on the Queimada Grande Reef (QGR) over the past 2000 yrs. It thus presently exists as a submerged senescent structure colonized largely by non-reef building organisms. Integration of these growth data with those from sites further north (18°S and 21°S) suggests that Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), South Westerlies Winds (SWW) and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability and shifts during the Holocene drove changes in the position of the Brazil-Falklands/Malvinas Confluence (BFMC), and that this has had a strong regional influence on the timing and longevity of reef growth. Our results add new evidence to the idea that reef growth in marginal settings can rapidly turn-on or -off according to regional environmental changes, and thus are of relevance for predicting high latitude reef growth potential under climate change.

Sustainability of scuba diving tourism should be assessed not only in environmental terms, but also concerning the quality of the diving experiences. Through the application of semi-structured questionnaires, we assessed differences in the scuba diving experiences from three subtropical Brazilian marine protected areas (MPAs) with different contexts and management regimes. We found that MPAs of more restrictive categories attracted mostly divers motivated by their natural attributes. We also found that satisfaction levels were significantly lower in the no-take MPA, where public use planning is stricter. Although we could not replicate the MPAs’ contexts, our findings highlight the importance of management strategy as well as the influence of MPA age and socio-ecological context on scuba diving experiences. In this regard, managers and dive operators are encouraged to assess user characteristics and the context in which the MPA finds itself to plan and develop sustainable tourism.

Rocas Atoll is the only atoll in the South Atlantic and one of the smallest atolls in the world, and is mainly built by coralline algae. Even being unique in the world, reefs from its mesophotic zone (i.e., >30 m depth) have never been described. For the first time, we surveyed the bottom features of Rocas Atoll mesophotic zone by using side scan sonar, a remotely operated vehicle and TRIMIX diving. Rhodolith beds were the main habitat observed, composed mainly by crustose coralline algae, and presenting different patterns of bed structure. In deeper areas (60–80 m), most rhodoliths were coalesced in patches of ∼1 m2, while in the shallow areas (20–50 m), the more typical pattern of free-living rhodoliths predominated. Depths between 50 and 65 m were marked as transitional zones in which a step-shaped carbonate reefs were discovered. In addition to describing the rhodolith beds and the formation of carbonate reefs by the coalescence of rhodoliths, we highlight the importance of oceanic areas such as the one investigated here. They are excellent models for testing and understanding the influence of rhodolith beds in supporting the marine biodiversity and in promoting demographic connectivity between shallow and mesophotic reefs.

Mesophotic reef fish assemblages (30–90 m depth) of the small and remote St. Peter and St. Paul’s Archipelago (SPSPA), Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Brazil, were characterized using remotely operated vehicles. Ordination analyses identified distinct fish assemblages in the upper (30–50 m) and lower (50–90 m) mesophotic zones, the former characterized by high abundances of species that are also abundant at euphotic reefs (Caranx lugubris, Melichthys niger, Stegastes sanctipauli and Chromis multilineata) and the latter dominated by two mesophotic specialists (Prognathodes obliquus and Chromis enchrysura). Planktivores dominated fish assemblages, particularly in the upper mesophotic zone, possibly due to a greater availability of zooplankton coming from the colder Equatorial Undercurrent in mesophotic depths of the SPSPA. Turf algae, fleshy macroalgae and scleractinian corals dominated benthic assemblages between 30 and 40 m depth, while bryozoans, black corals and sponges dominated between 40 and 90 m depth. Canonical correspondence analysis explained 74 % of the relationship between environmental characteristics (depth, benthic cover and complexity) and structure of fish assemblages, with depth as the most important independent variable. Juveniles of Bodianus insularis and adults of P. obliquus and C. enchrysura were clearly associated with branching black corals (Tanacetipathes spp.), suggesting that black corals play key ecological roles in lower mesophotic reefs of the SPSPA. Results from this study add to the global database about mesophotic reef ecosystems (MREs) and provide a baseline for future evaluations of possible anthropogenic and natural disturbances on MREs of the SPSPA.

The Abrolhos Bank, encompassing a wide portion of the Brazilian continental shelf, harbors the world's largest rhodolith bed, which plays an important role in calcium carbonate production in the South Atlantic Ocean. Little is known about the community structure and species composition of this habitat. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that latitudinal differences exist in the community structure of rhodolith beds and their associated flora along the Abrolhos Bank. We sampled a total of 33 sites of rhodolith beds located in three regions—northern, central, and southern—of the Abrolhos Bank between depths of 20 and 70 m. Rhodolith density (rhod. m−2) within the beds ranged from 990 ± 347.6 to 57 ± 18.7, with mean diameter ranging from 9.4 ± 3.2 to 3.1 ± 1.4 cm. A total of 146 macroalgae species were identified, including 14 rhodolith-forming species of crustose coralline algae. Abrolhos Bank supports the world’s greatest species richness of rhodolith-forming CCA, with regional distinctiveness. Observed differences in bed structure among regions can be related to differences in shelf width, slope and depth. The studied rhodolith beds constitute a unique habitat supporting a distinctive diversity of associated organisms, and thus require special attention. We highlight the importance of local and regional differences for defining appropriate conservation strategies to protect the rhodolith bed diversity of Abrolhos Bank.

PELD Mudancas Climaticas scientific programmes of the Brazilian National Science Agency (CNPq) Brazilian IODP Program (CAPES/MEC) P&D Program ANP/Brasoil FAPERJ Crustose calcareous algae (CCA) constitute one of the main reef builders on the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil. Once CCA taxonomy is locally understood, differences in growth-forms may be useful for the delimitation of taxa using characteristics such as the presence or absence of surface protuberances. Here, growth-forms were used to identify and quantify the most common CCA taxa on the shallow reefs (3-10 m) of the Abrolhos Bank to determine possible changes in the CCA community over a period of 10 years, and the ecological significance of CCA to local reefs was interpreted. The CCA assemblages were surveyed from 2006-2015 by using fixed photoquadrats at four sites in the inner (10-20 km from the mainland) and mid-shelf reefs (40-75 km from the mainland). The five most common CCA taxa were Pneophyllum conicum, the Lithophyllum kaiserii / Lithophyllum sp. complex, Melyvonnea erubescens, the Hydrolithon boergesenii / Porolithon onkodes complex and Peyssonelia sp. The overall mean CCA cover on the reefs was 20%. A comparison with a previous monitoring study in the same region indicated that the CCA cover nearly doubled from 2003-2008 to 2006-2015. This study reveals that the coral-killing species P. conicum dominated CCA flora on the shallow Abrolhos reefs in the last decade, and the local specific abundance of CCA slightly fluctuated over time and was species-and site-specific. The information obtained in this study contributes to the understanding of the ecology of the key calcifying components of the Abrolhos reefs and provides a useful baseline for exploring the responses of CCA to future environmental changes. Diretoria Pesquisa Cient, Inst Pesquisas, Jardim Bot Rio De Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leao 915, BR-22460030 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, BR-21941599 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Oceanog, Ave Fernando Ferrari 514, BR-29090600 Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, BR-11030400 Santos, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Paraiba, Ctr Ciencias Aplicadas & Educ, Campus 4 Litoral Norte, BR-58297000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, BR-11030400 Santos, SP, Brazil ANP/Brasoil: 48610.011015/2014-55 Web of Science

Corals from the genus Scolymia have high-sediment-shifting capabilities and are generally associated with habitats with low light levels (shallow shaded/high-turbidity reefs and mesophotic reefs >30 m depth). Here, the spatio-temporal dynamics in abundance, growth, and health (i.e., proportion of bleached/dead tissue) of the solitary coral Scolymia wellsi was modeled in the Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil, using boosted regression trees. Models were built using a yearly time series (2006–2008) of digital images of fixed benthic areas (photo-quadrats) and fixed S. wellsi individuals (n = 65). Samples were obtained in sites separated by up to 130 km and subjected to a wide range of biotic/abiotic conditions (as measured in situ and by remote sensing). Scolymia wellsi abundance was highest on inshore turbid reefs, although high nutrient availability (as inferred by the concentration of particulate organic carbon) and temperature were more important than turbidity (Kd490) itself for explaining this latter pattern. Bleaching affected mainly larger (older) individuals inhabiting inshore reefs, where S. wellsi abundance was highest, possibly reflecting natural coral senescence and/or negative density-dependent effects. Coral growth declined with size and with increased contact with turf algae/cyanobacterial mats, these latter organisms well recognized as major competitors for benthic space and coral disease facilitators. Species-specific coral population studies exploring different spatial scales (reef scale and coral scale) and a wide range of biotic/abiotic conditions may provide important insights on the ecological processes operating at the reef community and ecosystem levels.

International audience; In his News In Depth story “Mystery oil spill threatens marine sanctuary in Brazil” (8 November 2019, p. 672), H. Escobar highlights important ecosystems that have been affected by the spill. However, he did not mention the Brazilian rhodolith beds—the most extensive, abundant, and diverse biogenic carbonate habitats in the South Atlantic (1). The oil spill severely threatens these ecosystems, which comprise a staggering 2 x 1011 tons of carbonatic bank (2), stretch from 5°N to 27°S along the Brazilian coast, and cover a seabed potential area of 229,000 km2 (1).Brazil's rhodolith beds are recognized as an oasis of diversity (3). Although they harbor species of great economic and ecological value, they remain unprotected. The oil pollution will likely cause major socio-environmental and economic losses, similar to those caused by the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico (4). The contamination will compromise the region's food security as well as biodiversity conservation and efficient management. Moreover, the ongoing oil spill could have global consequences given the potential biogeochemical role of rhodolith beds in the oceanic carbon balance (1, 5). Thus, this event must not be downplayed or concealed, as has been attempted in the case of Brazilian mining accidents (6) and Amazon deforestation and fires (7). We advocate urgent action to evaluate and mitigate the oil spill and to remediate and restore areas on the oil slick route. Brazil must follow in the footsteps of Australia and Europe (8) and prioritize rhodolith bed conservation.

This study evaluates the hypothesis that detached macroalgae (drift algae) influence the structure of fish communities in the surf-zones of two tropical sandy beaches from the central coast of Brazil. Surf-zone seine hauls were conducted weekly during three consecutive 6-week periods according to the occurrence of drift algae – in pre-drift, drift and post-drift periods. Drift algae comprised 33 macroalgae species and likely came from offshore rhodolith beds. Fish biomass, density and species richness increased from pre-drift to drift periods, and species composition differed significantly between periods, particularly in the more sheltered of the sampled beaches. The density of young-of-the-year (YOY) fishes also increased significantly from the pre-drift to drift periods, suggesting the importance of drift algae to early fish stages. The gut contents of the two most abundant species during the drift algae period, Trachinotus falcatus and Trachinotus goodei, demonstrated the importance of macrophyte-associated amphipods in their diets, suggesting that the drift algae may be used as feeding habitats for these species. Our results showed that the influx of allochthonous drift algae may structure fish communities of tropical sandy beaches and that it may also represent an important alternative resource for YOY fish by providing shelter and food during autumn and winter.

The assessment of management effectiveness is essential to measure how well marine protected areas (MPAs) are achieving their goals and objectives. Incorporating the view of multiple stakeholders is an important component of MPA planning and management as it may simultaneously help reduce conflicts and increase adherence to rules and compliance. However, the most assessments of MPA management effectiveness is undertaken solely based on managers' perceptions. Here, we compared the perceptions of management effectiveness among managers and the management council members of three Brazilian marine reserves. Council members include stakeholders from the public and private sectors with different backgrounds. Overall, the marine reserves were classified as having medium management effectiveness, with managers perceiving higher levels of effectiveness than the council members. The main differences were related to poor communication among managers and council members and the perception of lack of participation on management decisions by council members. Assessing different perspectives on management effectiveness gives a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. Communication between managers and stakeholders is essential to guarantee that management challenges are more equally recognized. We recommend that further evaluations consider the diversity of stakeholders involved in the management to get a more realistic assessment on management effectiveness. The gap between managers and stakeholders’ views is an important indicator because it is related to the level of alignment between MPA goals and society expectations.

SUMMARY Tropical kelp populations are rare and anomalous relicts of shallow-water populations that existed during glacial periods of cooler oceanographic climate. The endemic Brazilian tropical kelp, Laminaria abyssalis Joly and Oliveira Filho, occurred at depths below 40 m. The seasonal variations in biological aspects of L. abyssalis sporophyte populations and local variations in seawater nutrients and temperature were evaluated. A population was sampled four times between the austral spring of 2005 to winter 2006. Seasonal variations in the population structure and in the tissue content of nitrogen (N), carbohydrate and pigments were observed. Higher density (6.3 individuals m −2 ), biomass (7.3 kg m −2 ) and blade area (13 221 cm 2 ) were observed in summer, while the highest percentage of tissue total N (1.6%), carbohydrates (32.9%) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a = 1.9% and chlorophyll c = 0.4%) were observed in spring. The highest surface area of fertile tissue in L. abyssalis sporophytes (2.36%) was recorded in winter, indicating winter as the season when more investments are made in reproduction. The highest concentrations of total N (6.3 μM) and phosphate (0.6 μM) in seawater were observed in spring and summer, respectively. Seawater temperatures lower than 20°C, which are characteristic of upwelling waters, occurred every month and were most frequent in spring and summer. We show that L. abyssalis invests more in growth in spring and summer and reaches the greatest thallus size and population density in summer. The lower abundance during winter may be related to the lower frequency of temperatures below 20°C and the local seasonal storms that cause turnover of rhodoliths, the main substrate for L. abyssalis.

Hypnea musciformis occurs widely in the northeast coast of Brazil, and it is one of the most important natural sources of k-carrageenan, which is used in food and cosmetic industries. Despite its potential for exploitation little is known about its ecology. The aim of this study was to investigate the biology and ecology of H. musciformis in Brazil through analyses of biomass stock and accompanying flora. Two populations of H. musciformis were analyzed: those on the beaches of Stella Maris and Itacimirim (Bahia, Brazil). Eight samplings were conducted between 2007 and 2009 during the dry and rainy seasons. The algae were sampled along transects (20 m) using quadrats (0.04 m²) in three different hydrodynamic regions of the reefs (TP, PRR and FRR). The t-Test, Dunn's Test and parametric and nonparametric ANOVA were used for statistical analyses. 17 host species and 41 associated species were identified. The highest biomass stock was observed during the dry season. On Stella Maris, the region with the highest biomass stock was FRR; on Itacimirim, TP had the highest biomass value. This study permits the assumption that seasonality, microhabitat, hydrodynamic and micro scale factors contribute to variation in biomass stock in H. musciformis populations.

The largest continuous latitudinal distribution of rhodolith beds occur in the South Atlantic Ocean. Up to now rhodolith beds were referred exclusively to the western portion of the South Atlantic. Here we describe the recent advances in the South Atlantic taking into account latitudinal distribution, species composition, structure and ecosystem functions, threats and conservation status. Rhodolith beds have been mapped and ecologically described from extensive areas of the continental shelf (Abrolhos Bank), seamounts tops (Vitoria Trindade Chain), insular shelfs of oceanic islands (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago) and atolls (Rocas Atoll). Thirty three species of crustose coralline algae were recorded forming rhodoliths. Despite some initiatives, the richness of fauna associated with rhodoliths in SW Atlantic is still poorly known. Specific microbiome described associated with rhodoliths indicates important role in biomineralization process. The environmental services provided by the recently described rhodolith beds (Abrolhos Banks and Vitoria Trindade Seamounts) as calcium carbonate production, increase habitat complexity, benthic diversity and associated fish assemblages justify urgent actions to protect these ecosystems.

The abundance of reef builders, non-builders and the calcium carbonate produced by communities established in Calcification Accretion Units (CAUs) were determined in three Abrolhos Bank shallow reefs during the period from 2012 to 2014. In addition, the seawater temperature, the irradiance, and the amount and composition of the sediments were determined. The inner and outer reef arcs were compared. CAUs located on the inner reef shelf were under the influence of terrigenous sediments. On the outer reefs, the sediments were composed primarily of marine biogenic carbonates. The mean carbonate production in shallow reefs of Abrolhos was 579 ± 98 g m-2 y-1. The builder community was dominated by crustose coralline algae, while the non-builder community was dominated by turf. A marine heat wave was detected during the summer of 2013-2014, and the number of consecutive days with a temperature above or below the summer mean was positively correlated with the turf cover increase. The mean carbonate production of the shallow reefs of Abrolhos Bank was greater than the estimated carbonate production measured for artificial structures on several other shallow reefs of the world. The calcimass was higher than the non-calcareous mass, suggesting that the Abrolhos reefs are still in a positive carbonate production balance. Given that marine heat waves produce an increase of turf cover on the shallow reefs of the Abrolhos, a decrease in the cover represented by reef builders and shifting carbonate production are expected in the near future.

Carbonate banks have been associated with a depth-window of 0 and 70 m in the major oceans of the world. Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are well recognized as the most important carbonate builders in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic continental shelf, forming structural reefs and extensive rhodolith beds. The Brazilian Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA) is surrounded by poorly known insular shelf mesophotic reefs (>30 m depth). In this study, we used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and SCUBA diving to survey benthic features at 11 sites on the FNA. We found that rhodolith beds represent the main habitats of insular shelves of the archipelago from 10 to 100 m depth. Six coralline algae species were identified forming the rhodoliths. The mean abundance of rhodoliths ranged from 294 ± 26 (mean ± SE) to 451 ± 30 ind m −2 , while the mean diameter varied between 3.4 ± 0.3 and 5.9 ± 0.4 cm and live surface was always greater than 96%. In addition, we observed mounds built by the sand tilefish Malacanthus plumieri (Bloch, 1786) up to 40 m from the bed boundaries suggesting that M. plumieri populations play an important role in the dispersion of rhodoliths across the FNA shelf.

Rhodoliths are the free-living forms of a number of nongeniculate coralline algae. Rhodolith beds are a common feature of subtidal environments and have been recognized as important carbonate producers and paleoenvironmental indicators, as well as recognized as habitat-forming species. The rhodolith structure provides a hard three-dimensional substrate serving as microhabitat for a wide range of biodiversity, including commercially importance species. The largest known latitudinal occurrence range of rhodolith beds ais on the Brazilian coastal shelf from 2°N to 25°S. Despite their importance for the Brazilian benthic communities, only in the last decade sampling efforts allowed a more comprehensive understanding of the beds' distribution, their structure and associated communities, as well as data concerning the influence of environmental factors on rhodolith bed structure and dynamics. In this work, we review the available information on the biodiversity associated with the recently described Brazilian rhodolith beds of the continental shelf and oceanic islands, focusing on the associated organisms with potential for bioprospection research.

PEREIRA-FILHO, G.H.; AMADO-FILHO, G.M.; MOURA, R.L.; BASTOS, A.C.; GUIMARAES, S.M.P.B.; SALGADO, L.T.; FRANCINI-FILHO, R.B.; BAHIA, R.G.; ABRANTES, D.P.; GUTH, A.Z., and BRASILEIRO, P.S., 2012. Extensive rhodolith beds cover the summits of southwestern Atlantic Ocean seamounts. Calcium carbonate production by marine organisms is an essential process in the global budget of , and coralline reefs are the most important benthic carbonate producers. Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are well recognized as the most important carbonate builders in the tropical Brazilian continental shelf, forming structural reefs and extensive rhodolith beds. However, the distribution of CCA beds, as well as their role in mineralization in mesophotic communities and isolated carbonate banks, is still poorly known. To characterize the bottom features of several seamount summits in the Southwestern Atlantic (SWA), side-scan sonar records, remotely operated vehicle imagery, and benthic samples with mixed-gas scuba diving wer...

Oceanic islands can be relatively isolated from overfishing and pollution sources, but they are often extremely vulnerable to climate and anthropogenic stress due to their small size and unique assemblages that may rely on a limited larval supply for replenishment. Vulnerability may be especially high when these islands bear permanent human populations or are subjected to regular or intermittent fishing. Since the late 1970's, Brazil has been establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) around its four oceanic island groups, which concentrate high endemism levels and are considered peripheral outposts of the Brazilian Biogeographic Province. In 2018, the Brazilian legally marine protected area increased >10-fold, but most of the ~1,000,000 km2 of MPAs around Brazil's oceanic islands are still unknown and unprotected. Here, we provide the first detailed quantitative baseline of benthic reef assemblages, including shallow and mesophotic zones, of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA). The archipelago is partially protected as a no-take MPA and recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, but also represents the only Brazilian oceanic island with a large permanent human population (3,000 people), mass tourism (up to 90,000 people per year) and a permanent small-scale fishing community. The influence of depth, wave exposure, and distance from the island and shelf edge on the structure of benthic assemblages was assessed from benthic photoquadrats obtained in 12 sites distributed in the lee and windward shores of the archipelago. Unique assemblages and discriminating species were identified using Multivariate Regression Trees, and environmental drivers of dominant assemblages’ components were evaluated using Boosted Regression Trees. A total of 128 benthic taxa were recorded and 5 distinct assemblages were identified. Distance to the insular slope, depth and exposure were the main drivers of assemblages’ differentiation. Our results represent an important baseline for evaluating changes in benthic assemblages due to increased local and global stressors.

This study describes the predominantly tropical, subtidal seaweed populations growing on rhodoliths between 4 and 18 m depth in the southern part of Espirito 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 Espirito Santo State, in an area of 150 km2, provide an important habitat for epibenthic communities, supporting 25% of the known macroalgal species richness along the Brazilian coast. 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 Espirito 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 composicion 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 variacion en la abundancia de algas carnosas. La comunidad de rodolitos esta formada por al menos siete especies de algas coralinas no geniculadas. Se demostro que los mantos de rodolitos, en un area de 150 km2, proporcionan un habitat importante para las comunidades bentonicas, manteniendo 25% de la riqueza de especies de macroalgas conocidas para la costa brasilena.

Seamounts are considered important sources of biodiversity and minerals. However, their biodiversity and health status are not well understood; therefore, potential conservation problems are unknown. The mesophotic reefs of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain (VTC) were investigated via benthic community and fish surveys, metagenomic and water chemistry analyses, and water microbial abundance estimations. The VTC is a mosaic of reef systems and includes fleshy algae dominated rhodolith beds, crustose coralline algae (CCA) reefs, and turf algae dominated rocky reefs of varying health levels. Macro-carnivores and larger fish presented higher biomass at the CCA reefs (4.4 kg per frame) than in the rhodolith beds and rocky reefs (0.0 to 0.1 kg per frame). A larger number of metagenomic sequences identified as primary producers (e.g., Chlorophyta and Streptophyta) were found at the CCA reefs. However, the rocky reefs contained more diseased corals (>90%) than the CCA reefs (~40%) and rhodolith beds (~10%). Metagenomic analyses indicated a heterotrophic and fast-growing microbiome in rocky reef corals that may possibly lead to unhealthy conditions possibly enhanced by environmental features (e.g. light stress and high loads of labile dissolved organic carbon). VTC mounts represent important hotspots of biodiversity that deserve further conservation actions.

The Abrolhos Bank (eastern Brazil) encompasses the largest and richest coral reefs of the South Atlantic. Coral reef benthic assemblages of the region were monitored from 2003 to 2008. Two habitats (pinnacles' tops and walls) were sampled per site with 3–10 sites sampled within different reef areas. Different methodologies were applied in two distinct sampling periods: 2003–2005 and 2006–2008. Spatial coverage and taxonomic resolution were lower in the former than in the latter period. Benthic assemblages differed markedly in the smallest spatial scale, with greater differences recorded between habitats. Management regimes and biomass of fish functional groups (roving and territorial herbivores) had minor influences on benthic assemblages. These results suggest that local environmental factors such as light, depth and substrate inclination exert a stronger influence on the structure of benthic assemblages than protection from fishing. Reef walls of unprotected coastal reefs showed highest coral cover values, with a major contribution of Montastraea cavernosa (a sediment resistant species that may benefit from low light levels). An overall negative relationship between fleshy macroalgae and slow-growing reef-building organisms (i.e. scleractinians and crustose calcareous algae) was recorded, suggesting competition between these organisms. The opposite trend (i.e. positive relationships) was recorded for turf algae and the two reef-building organisms, suggesting beneficial interactions and/or co-occurrence mediated by unexplored factors. Turf algae cover increased across the region between 2006 and 2008, while scleractinian cover showed no change. The need of a continued and standardized monitoring program, aimed at understanding drivers of change in community patterns, as well as to subsidize sound adaptive conservation and management measures, is highlighted.

Rhodoliths are nodules of non-geniculate coralline algae that occur in shallow waters (

The 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.O 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. Cephalopholis furcifer and Clepticus brasiliensis) também dominaram em recifes profundos. Características similares foram registradas para recifes mesofóticos ao longo do Atlântico Ocidental. Evidências de sobrepesca (obtidas aqui e em outros estudos recentes), a presença de quatro espécies de peixes endêmicas e com distribuição restrita, e o aumento no número de espécies novas ainda não descritas, indicam que a adoção de medidas de conservação baseadas no princípio da precaução é urgentemente necessária para garantir a manutenção dos ecossistemas frágeis e únicos do CITMV.