Four new additions to the marine flora of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical western South Atlantic Ocean

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Apolar Compounds in Seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Northeastern Coast of Brazil)

Hyphenated techniques of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer were used to determine fatty acids in eleven species of seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The main compounds detected in all studied species were the alcohol phytol and the fatty acids 14 : 0; 15 : 0; 16 : 0; 18 : 0; 18 : 1 n9; 18 : 2 Δ9,12; 20 : 4; 20 : 5. These fatty acids are commonly found in seaweeds present in warm regions. Thus, we found no specificity in the presence of a particular set of fatty acids and the studied species indicating that they are not useful as taxonomic indicators. However, they could be used in a comparative study with algae found in polluted area because many of the studied seaweeds are widespread and Fernando de Noronha has low human influence

Genetic Connectivity of a Coral Reef Ecosystem Predator: The Population Genetic Structure and Evolutionary History of the Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi)

Aim The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) is one of few extant reef sharks inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean. Its variability in movements across habitat types suggests the possibility of a complex genetic population structure. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to investigate the genetic connectivity of the Caribbean reef shark across contemporary and evolutionary time-scales and relate our findings to the ecology of this understudied species. Location Tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean. Methods Samples were obtained from 216 individuals from six western Atlantic and Caribbean locations. Individuals were genotyped at seven nuclear microsatellite DNA loci and sequenced at two mitochondrial (control region [CR]; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 [ND4]) and one nuclear locus (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]). Analyses to resolve the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of this species were adopted. Results Sequencing of the CR (1,068 bp, n = 216), ND4 (741 bp, n = 213) and LDH (258 bp, n = 165) loci, resolved 11, 8 and 13 unique haplotypes (or alleles), respectively. Overall, Caribbean reef sharks showed low levels of genetic diversity and most marker sets identified strong genetic differences (FSTand ΦST) between sharks sampled in Brazil versus all other locations (msat FST \u3e 0.017; CR-ND4 ΦST \u3e 0.013). Mitochondrial DNA showed evidence of increased genetic partitioning among western North Atlantic sampling sites, although widespread haplotype sharing (~85%–92%) and a shallow population history were found. Main Conclusions Findings of genetic differentiation are concordant with previous movement studies showing residency and/or site-fidelity to specific locations by individuals. However, similar to other reef shark studies, we found that the level of genetic connectivity among populations was context dependent—i.e., sharks occupying isolated habitats showed greater genetic differentiation compared with those sharks occupying semi-isolated or continuous reef habitats. Furthermore, low genetic diversity and a shallow mitochondrial population history were found, suggesting historical demographic fluctuations, including population collapse and more recent expansions

Concentration of Inorganic Elements Content in Benthic Seaweeds of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago by Synchrotron Radiation Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (SRTXRF)

SRTXRF was used to determine As, Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn in eleven seaweed species commonly found in Fernando de Noronha: Caulerpa verticillata (J. Agardh) (Chlorophyta), Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile), Dictyurus occidentalis (J. Agardh), Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J. V. Lamouroux, G. obtusata (J. Ellis & Solander) J. V. Lamouroux, G. marginata (J. Ellis & Solander) J. V. Lamouroux (Rhodophyta), Dictyota cervicornis (Kützing), Dictyopteris justii (J. V. Lamouroux), Dictyopteris plagiogramma (Montagne) Vickers, Padina gymnospora (Kützing) Sonder, and a Sargassum sp. (Phaeophyta). Data obtained were compared to those from the analysis of other parts of the world seaweeds using different analytical techniques and were found to be in general agreement in terms of major and minor elemental components. Results provide baseline information about the absorption and accumulation of these elements by macroalgae in the area

Ecologia e conservação dos tubarões do arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, com ênfase no tubarão-cabeça-de-cesto Carcharhinus perezi (Poey, 1876) (Carcharhiniformes, Carcharhinidae)

O presente trabalho visa gerar informações básicas sobre a ecologia e a situação populacional do tubarão-cabeça-de-cesto Carcharhinus perezi, lambarú Ginglymostoma cirratum e tubarão-limão Negaprion brevirostris no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, com ênfase na primeira, por ser numericamente dominante. Utilizou-se a combinação de técnicas de marcação e recaptura e de telemetria ultra-sônica para fornecer informações sobre: estrutura populacional, distribuição espacial dos tubarões e de suas áreas de berçário, época de parto, padrões de movimentação e de utilização do hábitat. Amostras de sangue foram analisadas para caracterização sorológica das espécies. Foi implantado um programa de conscientização e educação sobre a necessidade de conservação dos tubarões, e realizou-se um curso de capacitação em Educação Ambiental para os professores do ensino médio e fundamental. A plataforma insular do arquipélago é utilizada como área de parto e de crescimento de jovens pelas três espécies de tubarões. Carcharhinus perezi apresenta maior segregação espacial por tamanho. Não ocorre segregação espacial em Ginglymostoma cirratum e Negaprion brevirostris pois foram observados indivíduos neonatos, jovens e adultos freqüentando a região próxima à linha costeira do arquipélago. Os tubarões utilizam com menor freqüência o trecho da Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) do arquipélago, o que possivelmente está relacionado à intensificação da utilização humana e a indícios de empobrecimento biológico da região nos últimos anos. O monitoramento por telemetria mostra que: os tubarões jovens são residentes em trechos específicos do arquipélago; eles podem ser ativos a qualquer horário do dia, mas os maiores espaços de atividade e deslocamentos ocorrem à noite; aparentemente não existem variações sazonais...The aim of the present study is to provide basic data on the ecology and population status of the reef-shark Carcharhinus perezi, nurse-shark Ginglymostoma cirratum and lemon-shark Negaprion brevirostris at Fernando de Noronha archipelago, with special reference to Carcharhinus perezi, due to its numerical dominance. A combination of mark and recapture and ultrasonic telemetry methods were used to gather data on: the population structure, spatial distribution of the sharks, location of the nursery grounds, parturition time, patterns of movement and habitat use. Blood samples were analyzed for a serological characterization of the species. An educational program was established to increase the community awareness about shark conservation, and a capacitating course on Environmental Education was offered to teachers of the local school. The archipelago s insular shelf is used as a parturition and growing ground for young sharks of the three species. Carcharhinus perezi shows size segregation. Size segregation was not observed in Ginglymostoma cirratum and Negaprion brevirostris, and neonate, young and adult sharks of these species were observed to frequent shallow waters of the archipelago. Sharks rarely frequent the archipelago s Environmental Protection Area (EPA), which is probably related to an intensification of human use and evidences of biological impoverishment of this site in recent years. The telemetry monitoring shows that: the young sharks are resident and present site fidelity to specific portions of the archipelago; they may be active at any time of the day, but the larger activity spaces and excursions occur at night; apparently there is no seasonal variation in activity spaces and habitat use; and larger sharks have more extensive activity spaces. The main problems for the management and conservation of the sharks are:... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Tiger sharks can connect equatorial habitats and fisheries across the Atlantic Ocean basin.

Increasing our knowledge about the spatial ecology of apex predators and their interactions with diverse habitats and fisheries is necessary for understanding the trophic mechanisms that underlie several aspects of marine ecosystem dynamics and for guiding informed management policies. A preliminary assessment of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) population structure off the oceanic insular system of Fernando de Noronha (FEN) and the large-scale movements performed by this species in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean was conducted using longline and handline fishing gear and satellite telemetry. A total of 25 sharks measuring 175-372 cm in total length (TL) were sampled. Most sharks were likely immature females ranging between 200 and 260 cm TL, with few individuals < 200 cm TL being caught. This contrasts greatly with the tiger shark size-distribution previously reported for coastal waters off the Brazilian mainland, where most individuals measured < 200 cm TL. Also, the movements of 8 individuals measuring 202-310 cm TL were assessed with satellite transmitters for a combined total of 757 days (mean = 94.6 days∙shark-1; SD = 65.6). These sharks exhibited a considerable variability in their horizontal movements, with three sharks showing a mostly resident behavior around FEN during the extent of the respective tracks, two sharks traveling west to the South American continent, and two sharks moving mostly along the middle of the oceanic basin, one of which ending up in the northern hemisphere. Moreover, one shark traveled east to the African continent, where it was eventually caught by fishers from Ivory Coast in less than 474 days at liberty. The present results suggest that young tiger sharks measuring < 200 cm TL make little use of insular oceanic habitats from the western South Atlantic Ocean, which agrees with a previously-hypothesized ontogenetic habitat shift from coastal to oceanic habitats experienced by juveniles of this species in this region. In addition, this study adds evidence that tiger sharks are able to connect marine trophic webs from the neritic provinces of the eastern and western margins of the Atlantic Ocean across the equatorial basin and that they may experience mortality induced by remote fisheries. All this information is extremely relevant for understanding the energetic balance of marine ecosystems as much as the exposure of this species to fishing pressure in this yet poorly-known region