Spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the Northeast of Brazil

Distribuição espacial de moluscos epibentônicos em um recife arenítico no Nordeste do Brasil

ECOLOGY

Spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the Northeast of Brazil

Distribuição espacial de moluscos epibentônicos em um recife arenítico no Nordeste do Brasil

Martinez, AS.I, ^*; Mendes, LF.^I; Leite, TS.^II

^ILaboratório do Oceano, Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN, CEP 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil

^IILaboratório de Biologia Pesqueira, Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN, Via Costeira s/n Mãe Luiza, CEP 59014-100, Natal, RN, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the distribution and abundance of epibenthic molluscs and their feeding habits associated to substrate features (coverage and rugosity) in a sandstone reef system in the Northeast of Brazil. Rugosity, low coral cover and high coverage of zoanthids and fleshy alga were the variables that influenced a low richness and high abundance of a few molluscan species in the reef habitat. The most abundant species were generalist carnivores, probably associated to a lesser offer and variability of resources in this type of reef system, when compared to the coral reefs. The results found in this study could reflect a normal characteristic of the molluscan community distribution in sandstone reefs, with low coral cover, or could indicate a degradation state of this habitat if it is compared to coral reefs, once that the significantly high coverage of fleshy alga has been recognized as a negative indicator of reef ecosystems health.

Keywords: molluscs, epifauna, sandstone reef, substrate cover, Brazil.

RESUMO

O presente estudo investigou a distribuição, a abundância e os hábitos alimentares de moluscos epibentônicos associados à cobertura e à rugosidade do substrato, em um sistema recifal arenítico no Nordeste do Brasil. A rugosidade, a baixa cobertura de corais e a alta cobertura de zoantídeos e algas frondosas foram as variáveis que influenciaram na baixa riqueza e na alta abundância de poucas espécies de moluscos no habitat recifal. As espécies mais abundantes foram classificadas em carnívoras generalistas, provavelmente associadas à baixa oferta e variabilidade de recursos nesse tipo de sistema recifal, quando comparado a recifes coralíneos. Os resultados encontrados neste estudo podem estar refletindo características normais para a distribuição dos moluscos em recifes areníticos, com baixa cobertura de coral, ou podem estar indicando um estado de degradação desse habitat, quando comparado aos recifes de corais, uma vez que a cobertura significativa de algas frondosas vem sendo reconhecida como um indicador negativo quanto à saúde dos ecossistemas recifais.

Palavras-chave: moluscos, epifauna, recife arenítico, cobertura do substrato, Brasil.

1. Introduction

Most studies on molluscan distribution in reef systems have been conducted on true coral reefs (Salvat, 1967, 1972; Taylor, 1968, 1971; Thomassin and Ganelon, 1977; Sheppard, 1984; McClanahan, 1989, 1990; Díaz et al., 1990; Augustin et al., 1999; Wells, 2000; Zuschin et al., 2000, 2001), ecosystems that show deep calcareous formations with an extensive coral cover and diversity. The wide variety of taxa and the life habits of molluscs in these ecosystems are closely linked to coral cover and diversity (Zuschin et al., 2000).

In Brazil, most of the reefs present tiny calcareous formations that grow on sandstone rocks whose main bioconstructors are encrusting calcareous algae, vermetid molluscs and few corals (Maida and Ferreira, 1997; Castro and Pires, 2001). These reefs cover an extensive stretch of coast and are ecologically unique ecosystems that show a different reef composition and formation from many other coral reefs worldwide (Leão and Dominguez, 2000).

Despite the low coral richness of Brazilian reefs (18 species), these environments are economically important for fishing and ecotourism activities in Brazil, as well as for protecting the coastline (Maida and Ferreira, 1997; Leão and Dominguez, 2000; Castro and Pires, 2001). Among the marine animals exploited in the Northeast of Brazil are molluscs such as octopus, squid and bivalves for human consumption, as well as gastropods, whose shells are sold as souvenirs. In addition to their importance as a fishing resource, molluscs are ecologically important in these environments. They represent important predator species such as the octopus, that feeds on many reef invertebrates (Boyle and Rodhouse, 2005), in addition to being a group whose species has different feeding habits on coral reefs which include carnivores, herbivores, filter feeders, detritivores, omnivores, etc (Reed and Mikkelsen, 1987; Zuschin et al., 2001).

Molluscs are also widely used as bioindicators in reef ecosystems, since they occupy a variety of ecological niches in hard substrate environments (Zuschin et al., 2001), where composition and life habits are related to environmental and substrate variations (Augustin et al., 1999; Zuschin et al., 2001). Thus, data about composition and spatial distribution of species in these ecosystems may help in monitoring anthropic disturbances in the marine environment (Richmond, 1993; Dayton, 1994).

Studies conducted in protected marine areas can also assess the natural structure of communities and, compared with non-protected areas, may provide information about the effects of anthropic impacts in marine coastal environments (Carr, 2000). It was observed that in protected fishing areas, the populations of some commercially exploited molluscs increased, whereas in non-protected areas the abundance of non-exploited molluscs also increased, owing to the decreased number of predators (McClanahan, 1990; Ashworth et al., 2004).

Despite their previously described importance, little is known about the distribution and relationship of molluscs with sandstone reef habitats. In Northeast Brazil, the main occurrence area of sandstone reefs in the country, knowledge of molluscan composition and distribution in the reef systems is scarce (Matthews, 1967; Matthews and Rios, 1969, 1974; Furtado-Ogawa, 1970; Mathews and Kempf, 1970; Oliveira, 1971; Matthews-Cascon et al., 1989).

Considering the importance of molluscs in reef environments and the need for information about their distribution and relationship with sandstone reef habitats, the aim of the present study was: to assess the spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs in different habitats of a sandstone reef and investigate the relation of species occurrence and feeding habits with substrate cover.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Study area

The study was conducted on the Maracajaú reef (05° 38' S and 35° 25' W), located 7 km from the Maracajaú beach, Maxaranguape city, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast of Brazil. Maracajaú reef belongs to the Coral Reef Protected Area (APARC), created in 2001 (Amaral et al., 2005) (Figure 1).The Maracajaú reef is a fishing area with intense underwater tourism activity in the southern part of the reefs (Amaral et al., 2005). Its formation is characterized by sandstone patch reefs composed of slightly thick calcareous constructions (Laborel and Kempf, 1967; Laborel, 1970; Maida and Ferreira, 1997).

The reef complex is 9 km long by 2 km wide, with crests between 0 and 3 m deep at low tide (Maida and Ferreira, 1997; Amaral et al., 2005). The complex also encompasses an area of seagrass and a sandy bottom in the most protected region of the reefs. Water turbidity is generally high at low tide, but high visibility predominates between October and March. Water temperature varies throughout the year from 22 (winter) to 27 °C (summer) (Maida and Ferreira, 1997).

2.2. Data collection

Twenty-three sampling sites were established and geo-referenced along the reef complex using Amaral (2002) classification in relation to bottom composition. Three habitats were defined: reef (patch reefs), sandy bottom and seagrass bottom (Figure 1).

Initially, 22 exploratory dives were made between August 2006 and February 2007 to record the species inhabiting the study area (qualitative analysis). This survey was conducted randomly in each habitat, where all the individuals observed with the naked eye on the substrate were collected. The taxa of the molluscs collected were identified and classified into 6 groups in terms of their feeding habits (carnivores, coralivores, herbivores, filter feeders, deposit feeders and scrap feeders) according to specialized bibliographies (Morton, 1968; Carriker and Zandt, 1972; Vermeij, 1978; Hughes and Hughes, 1981; Matthews-Cascon et al., 1989; Rios, 1994; Pequeno and Matthews-Cascon, 2001; Simone, 2002; Meirellis, 2005; Bezerra et al., 2006).

In March 2007, 23 additional dives were undertaken to determine distribution and species abundance using quantitative samplings. Species quantification focused on individuals larger than 0.5 cm, in order to minimize the risks of undersampling. The belt transect was the sampling technique used, which has been considered efficient for recording the heterogeneity of environments (Krebs, 1999; Nadon and Stirling, 2006). Each site consisted of three belt transects of 10 m² (10 × 1 m) parallel to each other. A record was obtained for each square meter of transect using a 1 × 1 m square (Adjeroud, 2000).

In each square, the number of individuals per taxon was quantified and the general substrate rugosity (Figure 2) was estimated according to the method proposed by Gratwicke and Speight (2005). The substrate cover (coral, zoanthids, sand, mud, rock, seagrass and functional form groups of macroalgae (Littler and Littler, 1983)) was quantified attributing weights between 0 and 3 for each category, according to occurrence (Figure 3).

2.3. Statistical analysis

The normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test) and heterocedasticity (Levene's test) of species richness and density data were tested to attend the premises of ANOVA analysis. After that, species richness data and square root transformation of the density data (x = √x, Zar (1999)) of the molluscs obtained in quantitative samplings were compared among the habitat sampling sites (mean value of molluscan data per transect) and between reef and seagrass habitats (mean value of molluscan data per site), using one-way ANOVA. The Tukey test was conducted for significantly different results. The data collected on the sandy bottom were used only for qualitative assessment of the habitat, due to the low number of individuals recorded (3).

In order to determine distribution patterns and spatial variation of the molluscs in reef and seagrass habitats, the mean value of molluscan density data from each site was used to perform multivariate analysis. A similarity matrix was generated using the Bray-Curtis index, with taxon data and the number of individuals per taxon. This was followed by MDS (multidimensional scaling) ordination analysis (Clarke and Warwick, 2001).

The mean values of substrate rugosity and substrate cover data of each site were submitted to PCA (Principal Component Analysis) exploratory analysis, using the Euclidean Distance Index (Clarke and Warwick, 2001) to determine substrate variations among sampling sites. A similarity matrix was generated and the clusters found in PCA were tested using ANOSIM analysis (Clarke and Warwick, 2001), showing the possible differences and significance of the clusters.

The BIO-ENV analysis (Clarke and Warwick, 2001) was performed from the similarity matrices built with molluscan fauna composition and environmental data to determine the substrate variables that influence molluscan distribution (variation in richness and abundance) in reef and seagrass habitats.

3. Results

Forty five mollusc species were recorded in the study area (qualitative and quantitative samplings), distributed into the classes Gastropoda (37 spp.), Bivalvia (7 spp.) and Cephalopoda (1 sp.) (Table 1). The largest number of species was recorded in the reef habitat (39), while 20 species were found in the seagrass habitat and only 2 on the sandy bottom.

During the quantitative samplings, 164 individuals were registered among 7 species in the reef habitat and 19 individuals distributed into 9 species in the seagrass habitat. Low species density was observed in both habitats, and 4 species (Engina turbinella (Kiener, 1835), Trachypollia nodulosa (Adams, 1845), Leucozonia nassa (Gmelin, 1791) and one gastropod from the Vermetidae family) were more abundant and frequent in the reef habitat (Table 2).

Assessing the feeding habits of molluscs, the highest number of carnivorous molluscs in the reef habitat was found (3 spp. and 135 individuals). The other individuals, less representative on the reefs, were classified as suspensivores (1 sp. and 20 individuals), herbivores (2 spp. and 6 individuals) and only 1 coralivore species, the gastropod Coralliophila caribaea (Abbott, 1958), with low occurrence (3 individuals). In the seagrass habitats, there were recorded carnivores (4 spp. and 6 individuals), filter feeders (2 spp. and 2 individuals), herbivores (1 sp. and 5 individuals), deposit feeders (1 sp. and 3 individuals) and scrap feeders (1 sp. and 3 individuals).

The molluscan richness in the reef habitat showed a significant variation between site 2 (Table 3), with the highest value (7 spp.), and sites 1 and 20 (2 spp.) (ANOVA, F = 2.7517; df = 22; p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found between the mean density (ANOVA, F = 2.5001; df = 22; p < 0.05), with a higher value obtained at site 18 (M:1.37 ± 1.25 SD) compared to sites 1 (M:0.07 ± 0.06 SD) and 20 (M:0.13 ± 0.23 SD) (Table 3). In the seagrass habitat no differences were observed among the sampling sites, for both richness (p > 0.05) and molluscan density (p > 0.05). A comparison of both habitats showed that the reef habitat had greater molluscan richness (M:2.12 ± 1.17 SD) (ANOVA, F = 17.1380; = 18; p < 0.001) and density (M:0.49 ± 0.37 SD) (ANOVA, F = 19.8736; df = 18; p < 0.001) than in the seagrass habitat (Table 3).

The reef habitat sites showed greater similarity in species distribution than among seagrass sites, which showed a more heterogeneous distribution, according to the results obtained by ordination analysis (MDS) (Figure 4).

Assessment of substrate cover using PCA showed that the sampling sites had 4 clusters (2 on the reefs and 2 at seagrass sites) in the Maracajaú reef complex (Figure 5). These clusters were statistically significant among themselves, according to ANOSIM results, in both reef (R_1,2 = 0.926; p < 0,01) and seagrass habitats (R_3,4 = 0.969; p < 0.05).

In general, the reef habitat was characterized with a wide coverage of fleshy algae (mainly brown algae that belongs to the Order Dictyotales and the green algae Caulerpa racemosa ((Forsskal) J. Agardh 1873)) and zoanthids (mainly Palythoa caribaeorum (Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1860)), and to a lesser extent with coral cover. Group 1 of the reef habitat (Figure 5) was characterized by large fleshy alga cover, zoanthids and coral with less rugosity. Group 2 was also characterized by large zoanthid and fleshy alga cover, differing from the first group in the greater abundance of articulated calcareous algae. Groups 3 and 4 correspond to the sampling sites in the seagrass habitats, where group 3 was characterized as having densities of seagrass with sandy sediment and group 4 with muddy sediment.

Seagrass and frondose algae cover, rugosity and sandy substrate were the main factors that influenced molluscan distribution throughout the Maracajaú reef system according to BIO-ENV analysis (Table 4).

Rugosity, crustose algae, fleshy alga and zoanthids cover were the main factors associated to the distribution (richness and abundance) of the species present in the reef habitat. The most abundant epibenthic mollusc species (E. turbinella, T. nodulosa, L. nassa-) was widely distributed among the sampling sites (see frequency of occurrence in Table 2), reflecting the relationship between the malacofauna and the general characteristic of the substrate found on the reef.

A very low correlation was found in the seagrass habitat results and variables, however sand and mud were the factors that respond to the distribution of mollusc species in the seagrass habitat. In group 1, species restricted to the sandy substrate such as the gastropods Oliva scripta (Lamarck, 1811) and Voluta ebraea (Linnaeus, 1758) and the cephalopod Octopus sp were found. In group 2, molluscs were observed restricted to the sandy substrate such as the gastropods Cerithium spp. and Nassarius vibex (Say, 1822).

4. Discussion

The low molluscan richness found in this study (45 spp.) compared to true coral reefs may be related to the characteristics of the sandstone reef, which has low coral density and extensive covers of zoanthids and fleshy algae. According to studies on reef environments, high molluscan richness is associated to coral cover (Díaz et al., 1990; Zuschin et al., 2000). Thus, the characteristics of the reef substrate of Maracajaú probably does not provide as many food resources and habitats to the mollusc species as coral reefs do, thereby decreasing the number of mollusc species that feed on corals or depend on them for survival.

The positive relationship between molluscan richness and the presence of corals can be observed when the value found on the Maracajaú reefs (45 spp.) is compared with another Brazilian reef environment, the Abrolhos reefs (293 spp. of molluscs) (Dutra et al., 2005), which contain the highest coral richness in the country (18 spp. versus 4 spp. in Maracajaú). This reef, which has greater richness and large coral covers, probably favors the occurrence of a large number of mollusc species, including the rarely represented coralline species in this study.

The only coralivorous gastropod species found in Maracajaú (C. caribaea) lives on the coral Favia sp. according to Rios (1994), which occurs rarely on these reefs. In a recent study (unpublished data) conducted in a similar reef system and near the Maracajaú reefs, a larger number of individuals of C. caribaea were observed, as well as greater coral cover (Favia sp. and other corals). These results could reinforce the positive relationship between diversity and coral cover and mollusc species.

High rugosity is one of the positive characteristics found on the Maracajaú reefs. It is related to the increase in molluscan richness and abundance when comparing to the seagrass habitat. This variable provides more structural complexity to the reef habitat, leading to the formation of microhabitats and cavities that provide shelter for many molluscs (Konh and Leviten, 1976; Díaz et al., 1990). On coral reefs, rugosity may be even greater due to the three-dimensional structure provided by the corals themselves.

The large cover of zoanthids, mainly P. caribeaorum, is considered a negative factor when associated with molluscan richness. The results found in the study conducted by Pèrez et al. (2005) showed a low number of epibenthic mollusc species associated to this zoanthid. One of the possible explanations for this negative relationship is the low structural complexity offered by this zoanthid, which forms extensive and flat dense covers with a high production of mucus.

Fleshy algae in large covers could also influence the low molluscan richness in Maracajaú, once this algae category is considered unpalatable to many herbivorous animals (Littler and Littler, 1983; Hay et al., 1987; Hay and Fenical, 1988; Steneck and Dethier, 1994). In general, fleshy algae are not palatable to large herbivores such as fish and sea urchins in tropical habitats, meanwhile small herbivores (mesograzers) such as amphipods, isopods and polychaetas often feed on these macroalgae (see review of Duffy and Hay, 1990). The mainly fleshy algae registered in this study were the green algae C. racemosa and brown algae of the Order Dictyotales. The former is an algae avoided by many herbivores due to its chemical and morphological defense, even so ascoglossan gastropods (very small sea slugs) feed on them, which sequester their chemical defenses (see review of Duffy and Hay, 1990). On the other hand, studies on chemical defense of Brazilian tropical algae demonstrated that algae species of the Order Dictyotales (Pereira et al., 2000; Pereira et al., 2002), the other most recorded algae in this study, have chemical defenses against small herbivorous gastropods and crustaceans avoiding herbivory.

Therefore, the main macroalgae recorded in this study could avoid the occurrence of molluscan herbivores at Maracajaú by chemical and morphological defenses, although more studies are needed to investigate this process. Moreover, the great cover of fleshy algae on the reef could prevent the growth and settlement of reef building corals (Done, 1992; Hughes, 1994; McCook, 1999, McCook et al., 2001 ; McManus and Polsenberg, 2004), which could indirectly influence the low molluscan richness on Maracajaú's reef.

In relation to molluscan density, the low value for the species is a common characteristic in coral reef systems (McClanahan, 1990, 2002; Zuschin et al., 2001). The higher abundance of few species found on the Maracajaú reef, a result also observed on Caribbean reefs, may be associated to environmental stress (McClanahan, 2002). Additionally, the fact that the lower the number of species that use the same ecological niche is, the lower the competition among them is, also may have favored the increased abundance of dominant and more generalist species.

The hypothesis of favoring generalist molluscs may be strengthened when the species found in this study were classified according to the feeding strategy. The most abundant and most widely distributed epibenthic species (E. turbinella, T. nodulosa and L. nassa) were classified as generalist carnivores, feeding on crustaceans, polychaetes and other molluscs (Rios, 1994).

Zoanthids and fleshy algae, therefore, could be directly or indirectly related to the high abundance of few species and low richness of molluscs on the Maracajaú reefs. Fleshy algae are described in the literature as indicators of reef degradation, shown by the decline in the coral cover (Done, 1992; Hughes, 1994; McCook, 1999; McCook et al., 2001; Littler et al., 2006) and could indicate a poor state of conservation on the Maracajaú reef, reflected in the results of this study for the molluscan assemblages. Earlier investigations conducted by Laborel (1970) about 4 decades ago on the Maracajaú reefs may show evidence of the existence of environmental alterations on these reefs. The author characterized this environment as having large covers of the coral Siderastrea stellata, incrusting calcareous algae and vermetid molluscs, in which the latter was found in relative low density.

This change in substrate cover may account for the altered coral reef community structure, which would result in loss of local biodiversity (Done, 1992; Hughes, 1994; McClanahan et al., 2002; Folk et al., 2004) and increased abundance in dominant generalist species. This substrate alteration may be correlated to the fishing activity that has taken place in this region for many years, which would explain the large fleshy alga cover in the entire reef area due to the lack of herbivore fish.

In the seagrass habitat, there was no evident abundance of few species, such as is found on the reefs, but rather a more balanced distribution between the numbers of individual species. The variation in sediment (sandy and muddy) between the sites was an important factor in molluscan distribution within this habitat, given that these types of sediment are related to different ecological niches occupied by the molluscs (Jones et al., 1990; Zuschin and Honegger, 1998). The low values for molluscan density and richness in the profiles of seagrass and sandy bottom habitats probably reflect the behavior of many individuals that habitually bury in the substrate and are not visible to the naked eye. Additional studies on the infauna of seagrass and sandy bottoms should significantly increase molluscan diversity in the reef system of Maracajaú, given that this group is characteristic of unconsolidated sea bottoms (Jones et al., 1990; Zuschin and Honegger, 1998).

Therefore, biological and physical substrate cover may contribute to molluscan distribution on the reef habitats studied. These include rugosity, low coral cover, and high zoanthid and fleshy alga cover, whereas physical factors, such as type of sediment, were important in the variation of molluscan distribution in the seagrass habitat.

Finally, the results found in this study could indicate a damaged reef when compared to coral reefs, although, on the other hand, they could represent a natural characteristic of sandstone reefs. This type of reef system is still poorly understood and its structure is different from hard shores like coral reefs and rocky shores. The present study was an initial investigation about the distribution of molluscan fauna and its relationship with substrata on sandstone reefs - an ecosystem that encompasses an extensive area of Brazilian coast and is an important natural resource for inhabitants of these areas. Hence, further studies must be developed in order to examine carefully the distribution patterns of molluscan fauna on these reef systems and the factors that influence them, which will enable us to evaluate the impacts of human activities (e.g. fishery and tourism) over the structure of benthic communities.

Acknowledgements - This study was supported by CAPES funding. We would like to thank PROMAR/IDEMA and Maracajaú Divers for the logistical support and to IDEA WILD for donating field equipment. I would like to thank Professor Helena Mathews Cascon (UFCE) for helping with species identification and Professor Alexandre Vasconcellos (UFRN) for helping with statistical analysis.

Received March 30, 2011

Accepted May 31, 2011

Distributed May 31, 2012

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  21 June 2012
• Date of issue
  May 2012

History

• Received
  30 Mar 2011
• Accepted
  31 May 2011