Rhodolith bed structure along a depth gradient on the northern coast of bahia state, brazil

Bahia, Ricardo G.; Abrantes, Douglas P.; Brasileiro, Poliana S.; Pereira Filho, Guilherme H.; Amado Filho, Gilberto M.

Abstracts

The aim of this study was to determine the structure of a rhodolith bed along a depth gradient of 5 to 25 m in the shelf in front of Salvador City, a region of northeastern Brazil. The dimensions, morphology and coralline algae composition of the rhodoliths were analyzed, as well as the vitality, density, and associated flora of the bed at three depths: 5, 15 and 25 m. Samples were obtained by SCUBA divers in summer 2007. Five rhodolith-forming taxa were identified: Sporolithon episporum, Lithothamnion brasiliense, Lithothamnion superpositum, Mesophyllum erubescens, and Lithophyllum sp. The encrusting growth form and the spherical shape were predominant at all depths. Rhodolith dimensions and vitality decreased and the density increased from the shallow to the deepest zones. Fifty-six macroalgal species were found as rhodolith-associated flora. The shallower depth presented higher values for macroalgal biomass and number of species. These results associated with other recent rhodolith bed descriptions indicate that the pattern of Brazilian rhodolith bed structure along depth gradients may be related to a combination of the extent and slope of the continental shelf.

Coralline Algae; Benthic Community; Continental Shelf; Depth Gradient; Lithothamnion brasiliense; Lithothamnion superpositum

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a estrutura de um banco de rodolitos ao longo de um gradiente de profundidade na plataforma em frente à cidade de Salvador, nordeste brasileiro. Foram analisadas as dimensões, a forma e composição das algas calcárias dos rodolitos, bem como a vitalidade, densidade e flora associada ao banco, em três profundidades: 5, 15 e 25 m. As amostras foram obtidas por meio de mergulho autônomo no verão de 2007. Cinco espécies de algas calcárias formadoras de rodolito foram identificadas: Sporolithon episporum, Lithothamnion brasiliense, Lithothamnion superpositum, Mesophyllum erubescens e Lithophyllum sp. A forma de crescimento incrustante e a forma esférica foram predominantes em todas as profundidades. Houve uma redução da dimensão e vitalidade dos rodolitos e um aumento da densidade com a profundidade. Cinqüenta e seis espécies de macroalgas foram encontradas como flora associada aos rodolitos. A profundidade mais rasa apresentou os maiores valores de biomassa e número de espécies de macroalgas. Esses resultados, associados com outras descrições recentes de bancos de rodolitos, indicam que o padrão estrutural desses bancos no Brasil, ao longo de gradientes de profundidade, pode estar relacionado a uma combinação da extensão e da inclinação da plataforma continental.

Algas coralíneas; Comunidade Bentônica; Plataforma Continental; Gradiente de Profundidade; Lithothamnion brasiliense; Lithothamnion superpositum

AMADO FILHO, G. M.; MANEVELDT, G.; MARINS, B. V.; MANSO, R. C. C.; PACHECO, M. R.; GUIMARÃES, S. P. B. Structure of rhodolith beds from 4 to 55 meters deep along the southern coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Cienc. Mar, v. 33, n. 4, p. 399-410, 2007.
BASSO, D. Deep rhodolith distribution in the Pontian Islands, Italy: a model for the paleoecology of a temperate sea. Palaeogeog. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol, v. 137, p. 173-187, 1998.
BIRKETT, D. A.; MAGGS, C.; DRING, M. J. "Maerl": An overview of dynamic and sensitivity characteristics for conservation management of marine SACs Scottish Association of Marine Science, UK Marine Special Areas of Conservation Project, 1999, 90 p.
BOSELLINI, A.; GINSBURG, R. N. Form and internal structure of recent algal nodules (Rhodolites) from Bermuda. J. Geol, v. 79, p. 669-682, 1971.
BOSENCE, D. W. J. Ecological studies on two unattached coralline algae from western Ireland. Paleontol, v. 19, n. 2, p. 365-395, 1976.
BOSENCE, D. W. J.; PEDLEY, H. M. Sedimentology and palaeoecology of Miocene coralline algal biostrome from the Maltese Islands. Palaeogeog. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol, v. 38, p. 9-43, 1982.
BOSENCE, D. W. J. Coralline algae: Mineralization, taxonomy, and palaeoecology. In: RIDING, R. (Ed.)., Calcareous Algae and Stromatolites. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1991. p. 98-113.
CABIOCH, J. Les fonds de maerls de la baie de Morlaix et leur peuplement vegetal. Cah. Biol. Mar., v.10, p. 139-161, 1969.
CLARKE, K. R.; WARWICK. R. M. Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Plymouth: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, p. 144, 1994.
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FIGUEIREDO, M. A. O.; STENECK, R. S. Floristic and ecological studies of crustose coralline algae on Brazil's Abrolhos reefs. In: INTERNAT. CORAL REEF SYMP., 9., 2002.,Bali. v. 1, p. 493-497, 2002.
FIGUEIREDO, M. A.O.; SANTOS DE MENEZES, K.; COSTA-PAIVA, E. M..; PAIVA, P. C.; VENTURA, C.R.R. Experimental evaluation of rhodoliths as living substrata for infauna at the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil. Cienc. Mar, v. 33, p. 427-440, 2007.
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FOSTER, M. S. Rhodoliths: between rocks and soft places - Minireview. J. Phycol, v. 37, p. 659-667, 2001.
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HARVEY, A. S.; BIRD, F. L. Community structure of a rhodolith bed from cold-temperate waters (southern Australia). Aust. J. Bot, v. 56, p. 437-450, 2008
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HINOJOSA-ARANGO, G.; RIOSMENA-RODRÍGUEZ, R.. Influence of rhodolith-forming species and growth-form on associated fauna of rhodolith beds in the central-west Gulf of California, Mexico. Mar. Ecol v. 25, p. 109-127, 2004.
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Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
09 Feb 2011
Date of issue
Dec 2010

History

Accepted
07 June 2010
Reviewed
20 May 2010
Received
26 Jan 2010

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

[1] AMADO FILHO, G. M.; MANEVELDT, G.; MARINS, B. V.; MANSO, R. C. C.; PACHECO, M. R.; GUIMARÃES, S. P. B. Structure of rhodolith beds from 4 to 55 meters deep along the southern coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Cienc. Mar, v. 33, n. 4, p. 399-410, 2007.

[2] BASSO, D. Deep rhodolith distribution in the Pontian Islands, Italy: a model for the paleoecology of a temperate sea. Palaeogeog. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol, v. 137, p. 173-187, 1998.

[3] BIRKETT, D. A.; MAGGS, C.; DRING, M. J. "Maerl": An overview of dynamic and sensitivity characteristics for conservation management of marine SACs Scottish Association of Marine Science, UK Marine Special Areas of Conservation Project, 1999, 90 p.

[4] BOSELLINI, A.; GINSBURG, R. N. Form and internal structure of recent algal nodules (Rhodolites) from Bermuda. J. Geol, v. 79, p. 669-682, 1971.

[5] BOSENCE, D. W. J. Ecological studies on two unattached coralline algae from western Ireland. Paleontol, v. 19, n. 2, p. 365-395, 1976.

[6] BOSENCE, D. W. J.; PEDLEY, H. M. Sedimentology and palaeoecology of Miocene coralline algal biostrome from the Maltese Islands. Palaeogeog. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol, v. 38, p. 9-43, 1982.

[7] BOSENCE, D. W. J. Coralline algae: Mineralization, taxonomy, and palaeoecology. In: RIDING, R. (Ed.)., Calcareous Algae and Stromatolites. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1991. p. 98-113.

[8] CABIOCH, J. Les fonds de maerls de la baie de Morlaix et leur peuplement vegetal. Cah. Biol. Mar., v.10, p. 139-161, 1969.

[9] CLARKE, K. R.; WARWICK. R. M. Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Plymouth: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, p. 144, 1994.

[10] DHN. Atlas de Cartas Pilotos 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação, 1993.

[11] DIAS, G. T. M. Marine bioclasts - calcareous algae. Braz. J. Geophys, v. 18, n. 3, p. 307-318, 2000.

[12] FARIAS, J. N.; RIOSMENA-RODRIGUEZ, R.; BOUZON, Z.; OLIVEIRA, E. C.; HORTA, P. A. Lithothamnion superpositum (Corallinales; Rhodophyta): First description for the Western Atlantic or rediscovery of a species? Phycol. Res., v. 58, p. 210-216, 2010.

[13] FIGUEIREDO, M. A. O.; STENECK, R. S. Floristic and ecological studies of crustose coralline algae on Brazil's Abrolhos reefs. In: INTERNAT. CORAL REEF SYMP., 9., 2002.,Bali. v. 1, p. 493-497, 2002.

[14] FIGUEIREDO, M. A.O.; SANTOS DE MENEZES, K.; COSTA-PAIVA, E. M..; PAIVA, P. C.; VENTURA, C.R.R. Experimental evaluation of rhodoliths as living substrata for infauna at the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil. Cienc. Mar, v. 33, p. 427-440, 2007.

[15] FOSLIE, M. New or critical calcareous algae. Det K. Norske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr., v. 1899-5: 1-34. 1900.

[16] FOSTER, M. S.; RIOSMENA-RODRÍGUEZ, R.; STELLER, D.; WOELKERLING, W. M. J. Living rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California and their significance for paleoenvironmental interpretation. In: JOHNSON M.; Ledesma related facies flanking the Gulf of California, Baja -Vázquez J. (Ed.). Pliocene Carbonates and California, Mexico. Spec. Pap Geol. Soc. Am., Boulder, p. 127-139, 1997.

[17] FOSTER, M. S. Rhodoliths: between rocks and soft places - Minireview. J. Phycol, v. 37, p. 659-667, 2001.

[18] GHERARDI, D. F. M. Community structure and carbonate production of a temperate rhodolith bank from Arvoredo Island, southern Brazil. Braz. J. Oceanogr, v. 52, p. 207-224, 2004.

[19] GRAHAM, D. J.; MIDGLEY, N. G. Graphical representation of particle shape using triangular diagrams: an Excel spreadsheet method. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms, v. 25, n. 13, p. 1473-1477, 2000.

[20] HALL-SPENCER, J. M. Conservation issues relating to maerl beds as habitats for molluscs. J. Conch (Special Publication), v. 2, p. 271-286, 1998.

[21] HARVEY, A. S.; BIRD, F. L. Community structure of a rhodolith bed from cold-temperate waters (southern Australia). Aust. J. Bot, v. 56, p. 437-450, 2008

[22] HARVEY, A. S.; WOELKERLING, W. J.; MILLAR, A. J. K. An account of the Hapalidiaceae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in south-eastern Australia. Aust. Syst. Bot., v. 16, p. 647-698, 2003.

[23] HARVEY, A. S.; WOELKERLING, W. J. A guide to nongeniculate coralline red algal (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) rhodolith identification. Cienc. Mar, v. 33, n. 4, p. 411-426, 2007.

[24] HINOJOSA-ARANGO, G.; RIOSMENA-RODRÍGUEZ, R.. Influence of rhodolith-forming species and growth-form on associated fauna of rhodolith beds in the central-west Gulf of California, Mexico. Mar. Ecol v. 25, p. 109-127, 2004.

[25] HINOJOSA-ARANGO, G.; MAGGS, C. A.; JOHNSON, M. P. Like a rolling stone: the mobility of maerl (Corallinaceae) and the neutrality of the associated assemblages. Ecology, v. 90, n. 2, p. 517-528, 2009.

[26] HORTA, P. A. Macroalgas do infralitoral do sul e sudeste do Brasil: taxonomia e biogeografia. 2000. 301 p. Doctoral thesis - Instituto de Biociências, USP, São Paulo., 2000.

[27] HORTA P. A. Bases para a identificação das coralináceas não articuladas do litoral brasileiro - uma síntese do conhecimento. Biotemas, v. 15, p. 7-44, 2002.

[28] HORTA P. A.; AMANCIO, E.; COIMBRA, C. S.; OLIVEIRA, E. C. Considerações sobre a distribuição e origem da flora de macroalgas marinhas brasileiras. Hoehnea, v. 28, n. 3, p. 243-265, 2001.

[29] KEATS, D. W.; CHAMBERLAIN, Y. M. Sporolithon ptychoides Heydrich and S. episporum (Howe) Dawson: two crustose coralline red algae (Corallinales, Sporolithaceae) in South Africa. J. South Afric. Bot, v. 59, p. 541-550, 1993.

[30] KEATS, D. W.; WILTON, P.; MANEVELDT, G. W. Ecological significance of deep-layer sloughing in the eulittoral zone coralline alga, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) in South Africa. J. expl mar. Biol. Ecol, v. 175, p. 145-154, 1994.

[31] KEATS, D. W.; KNIGHT, M. A.; PUESCHEL, C. M. Antifouling Effects of Epithallial Shedding in three crustose coralline algae (Rhodophyta, Corallines) on a coastal reef. J. expl mar. Biol. Ecol, v. 213, p. 281-293, 1997.

[32] KEATS, D. W.; MANEVELDT, G. M.; CHAMBERLAIN, Y. M. Lithothamnion superpositum Foslie: a common crustose red algae (Corallinales) in South Africa. Cryptog. Algol., v. 21, p. 381-400, 2000.

[33] KEEGAN, B. F. The macrofauna of maerl substrates on the west coast of Ireland. Cah. Biol. Mar., v. 15, p. 513-530, 1974.

[34] KEMPF, M.; COUTINHO, P. N.; MORAIS, J. O. Plataforma continental do norte e nordeste do Brasil. Nota preliminar sobre a natureza do fundo. Trabhs Oceanogr, Univ. Fed. Pernambuco, n. 9/11, p. 95-110, 1967/9.

[35] KEMPF, M. Notes on the benthic bionomy of the N-NE Brazilian Shelf. Mar. Biol, v. 5, n. 3, p. 213-224, 1970.

[36] KONAR, B.; RIOSMENA-RODRIGUEZ, R.; IKEN, K. Rhodolith bed: a newly discovered habitat in the North Pacific Ocean. Bot. Mar., v. 49, p. 355-359, 2006.

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