Brazilian Coast: A Significant Gap in the Knowledge of Cyanobacteria and Their Applications

Brazil has 10.959 km of coastline which includes three ecoregions based on the biogeographic system, exhibiting a wide range of environments that favor the occurrence of numerous cyanobacterial morpho- and ecotypes. These organisms have a great adaptive capacity, which explains their occupancy in numerous environments and the high diversification of the group. Historically, the cyanobacteria have been classified only based on morphology, which makes their taxonomy quite challenging. There is usually little morphological variation between taxa, which makes it difficult to identify diacritical characteristics between some genera and species, making intergeneric and intraspecific delimitation tough. Thereby, the polyphasic approach based on different tools allows the identification of new taxa and the reassessment of those already established with more reliability, contributing to a better systematic resolution of the world ‘cyanoflora’, a term that we propose herein to describe the diversity of Cyanobacteria into Phycoflora area. However, the use of these tools is still not widely applied to most genera and species, especially those from tropical and subtropical environments, which has limited the real recognition of their biodiversity, as well as the knowledge about the cyanobacteria’s evolutionary history and biogeography. In Brazil, even with the great development of phycological studies, the knowledge about Cyanobacteria from marine benthic environments has not evolved to the same degree. This phylum has been neglected in floristic surveys, presenting only 46 benthic species reported to the long Brazilian coastline, evidencing the still incipient knowledge about the diversity and distribution of this microorganism’s group. Furthermore, biotechnological properties of Brazilian marine cyanobacteria are still almost completely unknown, with only three studies carried out to date, underestimating one of the most diverse groups and with promising potential for the possibility of isolating new biochemically active compounds. The ten new taxa related to the Brazilian coast in the last decade emphasizes the challenge of conducting further floristic surveys in the underexplored marine environments in order to fill an important lacune in the cyanoflora knowledge, as well as their biogeographic distribution and biotechnological potential. Besides, the recognition of the Brazilian cyanoflora makes an important contribution to the understanding of the functioning and monitoring of marine ecosystems and provide data for the construction of future public policies, which is a goal of the United Nations Decade for Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Evaluation of the stocks of Hypnea musciformis (rhodophyta: gigartinales) on two beaches in Bahia, Brazil

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.Hypnea musciformis ocorre amplamente na costa nordeste do Brasil, sendo uma das mais importantes fontes naturais de k-carrageenana que é utilizado nas indústrias alimentícia e cosmética. Apesar do potencial de explotação, pouco se sabe sobre sua ecologia. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a biologia e ecologia de H. musciformis no Brasil através da análise do estoque de biomassa e da flora acompanhante. Duas populações de H. musciformis foram analisadas nas praias de Stella Maris e Itacimirim (Bahia, Brasil). Oito amostragens foram realizadas entre 2007 e 2009, durante as estações seca e chuvosa. As algas foram coletadas ao longo de transectos (20 m) utilizando quadrados (0,04 m²) em três diferentes regiões hidrodinâmicas dos recifes (TP, PRR e FRR). t-Test, Teste de Dunn e ANOVA paramétrica e não-paramétrica foram utilizados para a análise estatística. Foram identificadas 17 espécies hospedeiras e 41 espécies associadas. O maior estoque de biomassa foi observado durante a estação seca. Em Stella Maris, a região com maior estoque de biomassa foi FRR, e em Itacimirim, TP apresentou biomassa maior. Este estudo permite supor que sazonalidade, microhabitats, hidrodinamismo e fatores em microescala contribuem para a variação no estoque de biomassa em populações de H. musciformis

Macroalgas bentônicas associadas a bancos de Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) J.V. Lamour. (Rhodophyta - Gigartinales) em duas praias do litoral baiano Macroalgae associated with banks of Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) J.V. Lamour. (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) on two beaches on the coast of Bahia

Este trabalho caracteriza a estrutura e dinâmica das comunidades de macroalgas bentônicas associadas a populações de H. musciformis ocorrentes em formações recifais nas praias de Stella Maris (Salvador) e Itacimirim (Camaçari). As coletas ocorreram entre agosto de 2007 e junho de 2008. As formações recifais foram divididas em compartimentos com base no hidrodinamismo. Utilizou-se três transectos em cada compartimento, onde foram dispostos cinco quadrados de 20 x 20 cm. Foram obtidos dados de riqueza, biomassa, percentual de importância (Pi%), diversidade (H') e equitabilidade (J'). Na área estudada ocorreram 60 espécies: 30 Rhodophyta, 20 Chlorophyta e 10 Ochrophyta; biomassa média de 136 g.m-² (peso seco); e índices médios de H' e J' de 2,7 e 0,97, respectivamente. Houve predominância das rodofíceas, tanto em riqueza específica quanto em valores de biomassa. Foi encontrada maior contribuição do grupo morfo-funcional de algas corticadas. Dentre a flora associada, Gelidiella acerosa, Sargassum cymosum e Palisada perforata apresentaram maiores valores de biomassa. O compartimento recifal mais representativo em riqueza específica e biomassa foi a região frontal do recife. As comunidades das praias estudadas foram consideradas distintas devido à fisionomia das formações recifais.<br>This study characterized the structure and dynamics of macroalgae communities associated with benthic populations of H. musciformis occurring in reef formations on the beaches of Stella Maris (Salvador) and Itacimirim (Camaçari), Bahia. The samples were collected between August 2007 and June 2008. The reef formations were divided into compartments based on hydrodynamics. Three transects where made for each compartment, and each of these had five quadrants of 20 x 20cm. Data about the richness, biomass, percentage of importance (Pi%), diversity (H') and evenness (J') was collected. The study recorded 60 species, 30 Rhodophyta, 20 Chlorophyta and 10 Ochrophyta, which had an average biomass of 136 g.m-² (dry weight) and average rates of H' and J' of 2.7 and 0.97, respectively. There was a predominance of red algae, both in values of richness and in biomass. The contribution of the morpho-functional group of the cortical algae was greater. Among the flora recorded, Gelidiella acerosa, Sargassum cymosum and Palisada perforata had higher biomasses. The reef compartment with the highest species richness and biomass was the frontal region. The communities of the beaches studied were considered distinct because of the physiognomy of the reef formations

Floración de Trichodesmium erythraeum en la región costera tropical de Brasil

A bloom of Trichodesmium erythraeum with average densities of 3.5 x 10(6) trichomes L-1 was recorded in February 2014, in an extensive range of beaches on the northern coast of Bahia, Brazil. High water temperatures and rainfall, associated with wind frequency and intensity may have triggered the bloom, which lead to a strong odor and change in the color of the water, it obliged the authorities to shut down the affected beaches. These blooms negatively affected tourism and fishing, the main economic activities in the region, highlighting the importance of monitoring these events in the area

Revista de Biologia Marina y Oceanografia

p. 635-639Few studies of natural populations of the red algae Hypnea musciformis have been conducted. To enhance our knowledge, it would be helpful to define methodologies that explore the species' adaptability to different environments and seasons. Tetrasporophyte is the most frequent reproductive stage in this species. A case study of 2 populations in the Brazilian tropics allowed us to define a fertility index based on the meiotic count of tetrasporangia. Significant differences were found in the production of tetrasporangia among microhabitats and between the dry and rainy seasons. The analysis of this index in red algae may constitute an important tool for understanding the biology and ecology of this algal group

Proposal of a fertility index of Hypnea for ecophysiological studies

Few studies of natural populations of the red algae Hypnea musciformis have been conducted. To enhance our knowledge, it would be helpful to define methodologies that explore the species' adaptability to different environments and seasons. Tetrasporophyte is the most frequent reproductive stage in this species. A case study of 2 populations in the Brazilian tropics allowed us to define a fertility index based on the meiotic count of tetrasporangia. Significant differences were found in the production of tetrasporangia among microhabitats and between the dry and rainy seasons. The analysis of this index in red algae may constitute an important tool for understanding the biology and ecology of this algal group

Brazilian Journal of Oceanography

p.65-71Hypnea 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

Expanding the occurrence of Euryhalinema (Leptolyngbyaceae, Cyanobacteria) to the Atlantic Ocean and description of E. epiphyticum sp. nov. on the Brazilian coast

Araújo, Valter Loureiro De, Santos, Márcio Ferreira Dos, Schnadelbach, Alessandra Selbach, Nunes, José Marcos De Castro, Fiore, Marli De Fátima, Caires, Taiara Aguiar (2022): Expanding the occurrence of Euryhalinema (Leptolyngbyaceae, Cyanobacteria) to the Atlantic Ocean and description of E. epiphyticum sp. nov. on the Brazilian coast. Phytotaxa 532 (3): 246-258, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.532.3.

Evaluation of the stocks of Hypnea musciformis (rhodophyta: gigartinales) on two beaches in Bahia, Brazil

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