Functional role of fouling community on an artificial reef at the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Krohling, Werther; Brotto, Daniel Shimada; Zalmon, Ilana Rosental

Abstracts

The northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State lacks natural consolidate substrates, making it a proper environment to the development of researches using artificial structures. After studies about the type of substrate, concrete seems to be the most appropriate for studying fouling community development. This research was carried out to investigate the functional role of biofouling in the development of the ichthyic community in the north of Rio de Janeiro State. Percentage data of the epibenthic organisms' coverage and samples of the fish community with gillnet and visual census showed that biofouling in artificial reefs might have more than one functional role, acting as a facilitator in the recruitment of fish species and as a link in the trophic marine chain. Through the increase of localized structural complexity provided by the reef itself and by the fouling organisms which act as "engineering species", additional protection options are offered to the ichthyic community, especially recruits. Also, the epibiont biomass represents an important link in the food web, acting either as a direct source or in the transference of energy to higher trophic levels. Through the relationship between the ichthyic and fouling communities we concluded that the functional role of the latter in artificial reef habitats could be characterized mainly as shelter and feeding grounds for few fish species.

Artificial reef; Biofouling; Reef fish; Visual census; Structural complexity; Trophic level

O litoral norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro possui uma escassez de substrato consolidado natural tornando o ambiente propício para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas com estruturas artificiais. Após estudos conclusivos sobre o tipo de substrato, o concreto parece ser o mais apropriado para o desenvolvimento da comunidade incrustante. Novas pesquisas foram realizadas para investigar o papel funcional da bioincrustação no desenvolvimento da comunidade íctica no norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dados de porcentagem de cobertura dos organismos epibênticos e amostragens da comunidade nectônica com rede de espera e censo visual, evidenciaram que a bioincrustação em recifes artificiais pode assumir mais de um papel funcional, como facilitadora no recrutamento de espécies de peixes e como elo na cadeia trófica marinha. Através do incremento da complexidade estrutural fornecida pelo próprio recife e pelos organismos incrustantes que atuam como "espécies engenheiras", opções adicionais de proteção são oferecidas para a comunidade íctica, principalmente recrutas. Além disso, a biomassa epibionte representa um importante elo na cadeia alimentar, atuando como fonte direta de alimento e/ou transferência de energia para níveis tróficos superiores. Através da relação entre as comunidades íctica e incrustante, conclui-se que o papel funcional desta última em habitats recifais artificiais caracteriza-se principalmente como abrigo e para algumas espécies também como alimentação.

Recife artificial; Bioincrustação; Peixes recifais; Censo visual; Complexidade estrutural; Nível trófico

Anderson, M. J. & Underwood, A. J. 1994. Effects of substratum on the recruitment and development of an intertidal estuarine fouling assemblage. J. expl mar. Biol. Ecol., 184:217–236.
Bohnsack, J. A.; Johnson, D. L. & Anderson, R. 1991. Ecology of artificial reefs habitats and fishes. In: W. Seaman, Jr, & – Sprague, L.M., eds. Artificial habitats for marine and freshwater fisheries. California: Academic Press. p. 61–107.
Brotto, D. S.; Krohling, W. & Zalmon, I. R.á 2004. Usage patterns of an artificial reef by the fish community on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. J. coast. Res., SI (39):1122–1125.
Carpenter, K.E.; Miclat, R. I.; Albaladejo, V. D. & Corpuz, V. T. 1981. The influence of substrate structure on the local abundance and diversity of Philippine reef fishes. Proc. 4th Int. Coral Reef Symp. 2:497–502.
Carr, M. H. & Hixon, M. A. 1997. Artificial reefs: the importance of comparisons with natural reefs. Fisheries, 22(4):28–33
Castilla, J. C. & Cerda, M. 2004. Marine ecosystem engineering by the alien ascidian Pyura praeputialis on a mid–intertidal rocky shore. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 268:119–130.
Cerda, M. & Castilla, J. C. 2001. Diversidad y biomasa de macro–invertebrados en matrices intermareales del tunicado Pyura praeputialis (Heller, 1878) en la BahÝa de Antofagasta, Chile. Revta chil.á Hist. Nat., 74, (4):841–853.
Chabanet, P.; Ralambondrainy, H.; Amanieu M.; Faure, G. & Galzin, R. 1997. Relationships between coral reef substrata and fish. Coral Reefs, 16:93–102.
Connell, S. D. & Glasby, T. M. 1999. Do urban structures influence local abundance and diversity of subtidal epibiota? A case study from Sydney Harbour, Australia. Mar. environ. Res., 47:373–387.
Connell, S. D. & Glasby, T. M. 2001. Urban structures as marine habitats: an experimental comparison of the composition and abundance of subtidal epibiota among pilings, pontoons and rock reefs. Mar. environ. Res., 52:115–125.
Dowling, R. K. & Nichol, J. 2001. The HMAS Swan artificial dive reef. An. Tour. Res., 28:226–229.
Fang, L. S. 1992. A theoretical approach of estimating the productivity of artificial ref. Acta zool. Taiwan, 3:5–10.
Fernandez, M.; Jaramillo, E.; Marquet, P. A.; Moreno, C. A.; Navarrete, S. A.; Ojeda, F. A.; Valdovinos, C.O.; Vasquez, J. A. 2000. Diversity, dynamics and biogeography of Chilean benthic nearshore ecosystems: an overview and guidelines for conservation. Revta chil... Hist. Nat., 73 (4):797–830.
Ferreira, C. E. L.; Gonþalves, J. E. A. & Coutinho, R. 2001. Community structure of fishes and habitat complexity on a tropical rocky shore. Environ. Biol. Fishes,á 61: 353–369.
Ferreira, C.E.L.; Floeter, S.R.; Gasparini, J.L.; Joyeux, J.C. 2004. Trophic structure patterns of Brazilian reef fishes: a latitudinal comparison. J. Biogeogr., 31:1093–1106.
Goren, M. 1979. Succession of Benthic Community on Artificial Substratum at Elat (Red Sea). J. expl. mar. Biol. Ecol., 38:19–40.
Jenkins, G. P. & Wheatley, M. J. 1998. The influence of habitat complexity on nearshore fish assemblages in a southern Australian embayment: comparison of shallow seagrass, reefalgal and unvegetated sand habitats, with Emphasis áon átheir áimportance áto árecruitment. áJ. expl. mar. Biol. Ecol., 221:147–172.
Krohling, W.; Brotto, D. S. & Zalmon, I. R. 2004. Fouling community recruitment on an artificial reef in the north coastá of Rio de Janeiro State. J. coast.. Res., SI (39) no prelo (ainda nÒo foi publicado).
Lindegarth, M. 2001. Assemblages of animals around urban structures: testing hypotheses of patterns in sediments under boat–mooring pontoons. Mar. environ.á Res., 51:289–300.
Maher, T. F. 1999. Florida's artificial reef program: a historical perspective of its unique partnership between Federal, State and local governments. Proceedings 7th CARAH,:209–220.
Mumby, P. J.; Edwards, A. J.; Arias–Gonzalez, J. E.; Lindeman, K. C.; Blackwell, P. G.; Gall, A.; Gorczynska, M. I.; Harborne, A. R.; Pescod, C. L.; Renken, H.; Wabnitz, C. C. C. & Llewellyn, G. 2004. Mangroves enhance the biomass of coral reef fish communities in the Caribbean. Nature, 427:533–536.
Osman, R. O. & Whitlatch, R. B. 2004. The control of the development of a marine benthic community by predation on recruits. J. expl. mar.. Biol. Ecol., 311:117–145.
Pearce, J. B. & Chang, S. 1982. The efficacy of various materials in artificial reef construction. ICES J. mar.á Sci., 64:1–11.
Pinnegar, J. K.; Polunin, N. V. C.; Francour, P.; Baladamenti, F.; Chemello, R.; Harmelin–Vivien, M. L.; Hereu, B.; Milazzo, M.; Zabala, M.; D'Anna, G. & Pipitone, C. 2000. Trophic cascades in benthic marine ecosystems: lessons for fisheries and protected–area management. Environ. Conserv., 27 (2):179–200.
Relini, G. M.; Torchia, G. & de Angelis, G. 2002. Trophic relationships between fishes and an artificial reef. ICES J. mar. Sci., 59:36–42.
Sosa–Cordero, E.; Arce, A. M.; Aguilar–Davila, W. & Ramírez–Gonzalez, A. 1998. Artificial shelters for spiny lobster Panulirus argus (Latreille): an evaluation of occupancy in different benthic habitats. J. expl. mar. . Biol. Ecol., 229:1–18.
Sutherland, J. P. 1974. Multiple stable points in natural communities. Am. Nat., 108 (964):859–873.
Talbot, F. H.; Russel, B. C. & Anderson, G. R. V. 1978. Coral reef fish communities: unstable high–diversity system? áEcol. Monogr., 48:425–440.
Tsumura, K.; Kakimoto, H. & Noda, M. 1999. The history and future of artificial reefs and related aquatic habitats in Japan. Proceedings 7th CARAH, 1:264–271.
Underwood, A. J. & Anderson, M. J. 1994. Seasonal and temporal aspects of recruitment and succession in as intertidal estuarine fouling assemblage. J. mar. biol. Ass.. U.K. , 74:563–584.
Zalmon, I. R.; Novelli, R.; Gomes, M. P. & Farias, V. V. 2002. Experimental results of an artificial reef programme on the Brazilian coast north of Rio de Janeiro. ICES J. Mar. Sci., 59 (SI): 83–87.
Zalmon, I. R. & Gomes, F. A. C. 2003. Comunidade incrustante em diferentes materiais de um recife artificial no litoral norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Biotemas, 16(1):57–80.
Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. 2^nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice–Hall, 718p.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
05 Nov 2007
Date of issue
Dec 2006

History

Accepted
12 Sept 2006
Reviewed
07 Aug 2006
Received
16 Dec 2005

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1] Anderson, M. J. & Underwood, A. J. 1994. Effects of substratum on the recruitment and development of an intertidal estuarine fouling assemblage. J. expl mar. Biol. Ecol., 184:217–236.

[2] Bohnsack, J. A.; Johnson, D. L. & Anderson, R. 1991. Ecology of artificial reefs habitats and fishes. In: W. Seaman, Jr, & – Sprague, L.M., eds. Artificial habitats for marine and freshwater fisheries. California: Academic Press. p. 61–107.

[3] Brotto, D. S.; Krohling, W. & Zalmon, I. R.á 2004. Usage patterns of an artificial reef by the fish community on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. J. coast. Res., SI (39):1122–1125.

[4] Carpenter, K.E.; Miclat, R. I.; Albaladejo, V. D. & Corpuz, V. T. 1981. The influence of substrate structure on the local abundance and diversity of Philippine reef fishes. Proc. 4th Int. Coral Reef Symp. 2:497–502.

[5] Carr, M. H. & Hixon, M. A. 1997. Artificial reefs: the importance of comparisons with natural reefs. Fisheries, 22(4):28–33

[6] Castilla, J. C. & Cerda, M. 2004. Marine ecosystem engineering by the alien ascidian Pyura praeputialis on a mid–intertidal rocky shore. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 268:119–130.

[7] Cerda, M. & Castilla, J. C. 2001. Diversidad y biomasa de macro–invertebrados en matrices intermareales del tunicado Pyura praeputialis (Heller, 1878) en la BahÝa de Antofagasta, Chile. Revta chil.á Hist. Nat., 74, (4):841–853.

[8] Chabanet, P.; Ralambondrainy, H.; Amanieu M.; Faure, G. & Galzin, R. 1997. Relationships between coral reef substrata and fish. Coral Reefs, 16:93–102.

[9] Connell, S. D. & Glasby, T. M. 1999. Do urban structures influence local abundance and diversity of subtidal epibiota? A case study from Sydney Harbour, Australia. Mar. environ. Res., 47:373–387.

[10] Connell, S. D. & Glasby, T. M. 2001. Urban structures as marine habitats: an experimental comparison of the composition and abundance of subtidal epibiota among pilings, pontoons and rock reefs. Mar. environ. Res., 52:115–125.

[11] Dowling, R. K. & Nichol, J. 2001. The HMAS Swan artificial dive reef. An. Tour. Res., 28:226–229.

[12] Fang, L. S. 1992. A theoretical approach of estimating the productivity of artificial ref. Acta zool. Taiwan, 3:5–10.

[13] Fernandez, M.; Jaramillo, E.; Marquet, P. A.; Moreno, C. A.; Navarrete, S. A.; Ojeda, F. A.; Valdovinos, C.O.; Vasquez, J. A. 2000. Diversity, dynamics and biogeography of Chilean benthic nearshore ecosystems: an overview and guidelines for conservation. Revta chil... Hist. Nat., 73 (4):797–830.

[14] Ferreira, C. E. L.; Gonþalves, J. E. A. & Coutinho, R. 2001. Community structure of fishes and habitat complexity on a tropical rocky shore. Environ. Biol. Fishes,á 61: 353–369.

[15] Ferreira, C.E.L.; Floeter, S.R.; Gasparini, J.L.; Joyeux, J.C. 2004. Trophic structure patterns of Brazilian reef fishes: a latitudinal comparison. J. Biogeogr., 31:1093–1106.

[16] Goren, M. 1979. Succession of Benthic Community on Artificial Substratum at Elat (Red Sea). J. expl. mar. Biol. Ecol., 38:19–40.

[17] Jenkins, G. P. & Wheatley, M. J. 1998. The influence of habitat complexity on nearshore fish assemblages in a southern Australian embayment: comparison of shallow seagrass, reefalgal and unvegetated sand habitats, with Emphasis áon átheir áimportance áto árecruitment. áJ. expl. mar. Biol. Ecol., 221:147–172.

[18] Krohling, W.; Brotto, D. S. & Zalmon, I. R. 2004. Fouling community recruitment on an artificial reef in the north coastá of Rio de Janeiro State. J. coast.. Res., SI (39) no prelo (ainda nÒo foi publicado).

[19] Lindegarth, M. 2001. Assemblages of animals around urban structures: testing hypotheses of patterns in sediments under boat–mooring pontoons. Mar. environ.á Res., 51:289–300.

[20] Maher, T. F. 1999. Florida's artificial reef program: a historical perspective of its unique partnership between Federal, State and local governments. Proceedings 7th CARAH,:209–220.

[21] Mumby, P. J.; Edwards, A. J.; Arias–Gonzalez, J. E.; Lindeman, K. C.; Blackwell, P. G.; Gall, A.; Gorczynska, M. I.; Harborne, A. R.; Pescod, C. L.; Renken, H.; Wabnitz, C. C. C. & Llewellyn, G. 2004. Mangroves enhance the biomass of coral reef fish communities in the Caribbean. Nature, 427:533–536.

[22] Osman, R. O. & Whitlatch, R. B. 2004. The control of the development of a marine benthic community by predation on recruits. J. expl. mar.. Biol. Ecol., 311:117–145.

[23] Pearce, J. B. & Chang, S. 1982. The efficacy of various materials in artificial reef construction. ICES J. mar.á Sci., 64:1–11.

[24] Pinnegar, J. K.; Polunin, N. V. C.; Francour, P.; Baladamenti, F.; Chemello, R.; Harmelin–Vivien, M. L.; Hereu, B.; Milazzo, M.; Zabala, M.; D'Anna, G. & Pipitone, C. 2000. Trophic cascades in benthic marine ecosystems: lessons for fisheries and protected–area management. Environ. Conserv., 27 (2):179–200.

[25] Relini, G. M.; Torchia, G. & de Angelis, G. 2002. Trophic relationships between fishes and an artificial reef. ICES J. mar. Sci., 59:36–42.

[26] Sosa–Cordero, E.; Arce, A. M.; Aguilar–Davila, W. & Ramírez–Gonzalez, A. 1998. Artificial shelters for spiny lobster Panulirus argus (Latreille): an evaluation of occupancy in different benthic habitats. J. expl. mar. . Biol. Ecol., 229:1–18.

[27] Sutherland, J. P. 1974. Multiple stable points in natural communities. Am. Nat., 108 (964):859–873.

[28] Talbot, F. H.; Russel, B. C. & Anderson, G. R. V. 1978. Coral reef fish communities: unstable high–diversity system? áEcol. Monogr., 48:425–440.

[29] Tsumura, K.; Kakimoto, H. & Noda, M. 1999. The history and future of artificial reefs and related aquatic habitats in Japan. Proceedings 7th CARAH, 1:264–271.

[30] Underwood, A. J. & Anderson, M. J. 1994. Seasonal and temporal aspects of recruitment and succession in as intertidal estuarine fouling assemblage. J. mar. biol. Ass.. U.K. , 74:563–584.

[31] Zalmon, I. R.; Novelli, R.; Gomes, M. P. & Farias, V. V. 2002. Experimental results of an artificial reef programme on the Brazilian coast north of Rio de Janeiro. ICES J. Mar. Sci., 59 (SI): 83–87.

[32] Zalmon, I. R. & Gomes, F. A. C. 2003. Comunidade incrustante em diferentes materiais de um recife artificial no litoral norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Biotemas, 16(1):57–80.

[33] Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. 2^nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice–Hall, 718p.

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Functional role of fouling community on an artificial reef at the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstracts

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History