Rapid assessment survey for exotic benthic species in the São Sebastião Channel, Brazil

The study of biological invasions can be roughly divided into three parts: detection, monitoring, mitigation. Here, our objectives were to describe the marine fauna of the area of the port of São Sebastião (on the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, in the São Sebastião Channel, SSC) to detect introduced species. Descriptions of the faunal community of the SSC with respect to native and allochthonous (invasive or potentially so) diversity are lacking for all invertebrate groups. Sampling was carried out by specialists within each taxonomic group, in December 2009, following the protocol of the Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS) in three areas with artificial structures as substrates. A total of 142 species were identified (61 native, 15 introduced, 62 cryptogenic, 4 not classified), of which 17 were Polychaeta (12, 1, 1, 3), 24 Ascidiacea (3, 6, 15, 0), 36 Bryozoa (17, 0, 18, 1), 27 Cmdana (2, 1, 24, 0), 20 Crustacea (11, 4, 5, 0), 2 Entoprocta (native), 16 Mollusca (13, 3, 0, 0). Twelve species are new occurrences for the SSC. Among the introduced taxa, two are new for coastal Brazil. Estimates of introduced taxa are conservative as the results of molecular studies suggest that some species previously considered cryptogenic are indeed introduced. We emphasize that the large number of cryptogenic species illustrates the need for a long-term monitoring program, especially in areas most susceptible to bioinvasion. We conclude that rapid assessment studies, even in relatively well-known regions, can be very useful for the detection of introduced species and we recommend that they be carried out on a larger scale in all ports with heavy ship traffic.Center of Marine Biology of the University of São Paulolhabela Yacht ClubCAPES-PROCAD 2007/150FAPESP (2004/09961-4; 2006/58226-0; 2010/06927-0)CAPES (Pró-Equipamentos and Prodoc projects)Boticário FoundationCNPqCAPESFAPESP (2008/10619-0)PNPD/CAPESFACEPE (BCT 0039-1.08/10)NP-BioMar, USPSpecial Issue: “Proceedings of the 3rd Brazilian Congress of Marine Biology”. A.C. Marques, L.V.C. Lotufo, P.C. Paiva, P.T.C. Chaves & S.N. Leitão (Guest Editors

Characterization of Ascidians in port regions of CearÃ

As ascÃdias sÃo invertebrados marinhos bentÃnicos amplamente distribuÃdos nos oceanos, desde as zonas entremarÃs atà grandes profundidades. O curto perÃodo de vida larval confere Ãs ascÃdias uma dispersÃo natural restrita, o que implicaria ao grupo altas taxa de endemismo. Entretanto, em resposta ao rÃpido crescimento econÃmico das cidades costeiras, a construÃÃo de portos e outras facilidades marÃtimas tem favorecido a introduÃÃo de espÃcies exÃticas. Assim, com intuito de estabelecer uma base de dados para propostas de monitoramento, um estudo da fauna de ascÃdias do Cearà foi conduzido no Terminal PortuÃrio do PecÃm, bem como no mais antigo Porto do Mucuripe. Todos os espÃcimes coletados foram identificados ao menor nÃvel taxonÃmico possÃvel. Como resultado, das 38 espÃcies encontradas (31 e 30 para o Mucuripe e PecÃm, respectivamente), 16 constituem novos registro para o estado do Cearà e 2 (sublinhadas) previamente desconhecidas para a costa brasileira: Ascidia sydneiensis, Ascidia sp.1, Ascidia sp.2, Cnemidocarpa irene, Didemnum cineraceum, Didemnum perlucidum, Didemnum sp., Diplosoma sp., Distaplia bursata, Distaplia sp., Ecteinascidia cf. styeliodes, Eusysntyela sp., Lissoclinum sp., Polyandrocarpa anguinea, Polycarpa tumida e Styela canopus. De acordo com informaÃÃes de distribuiÃÃo geogrÃfica e ocorrÃncia restrita aos portos, 18 foram consideradas espÃcies introduzidas, 9 nativas e 7 criptogÃnicas. As assemblÃias apresentaram diferenÃas significativas entre portos (p=0,000), com S. canopus e M. exasperatus claramente dominantes, embora D. cineraceum e Distaplia sp. tambÃm possam ser consideradas espÃcies frequentes nos portos do PecÃm e Mucuripe, respectivamente. As anÃlises mostraram tambÃm diferenÃas significativas entre profundidades (p=0,000), sendo observada uma maior estratificaÃÃo vertical das assÃmblÃias nos pilares no porto do Mucuripe, o que indica a influÃncia de fatores como tempo de submersÃo dos pilares e turbidez. PorÃm, as diferenÃas entre faces nÃo foram significantes (p=0,866). Nos dois portos, os valores mÃximos de riqueza foram obtidos nas profundidades intermediÃrias (3-4m), mas voltando a reduzir ligeiramente na Ãltima profundidade estudada. As espÃcies coloniais foram as mais numerosas, mas a famÃlia Styelidae foi a mais importante em relaÃÃo Ãs espÃcies introduzidas. Contudo, a biota presente nos pilares de ambos os portos conta com uma grande participaÃÃo das ascÃdias, e portanto a continuidade de estudos à ainda necessÃria para detectar e, se possÃvel, evitar impactos ecolÃgicos e econÃmicos relacionados Ãs espÃcies invasorasThe ascidians are marine benthic invertebrates with worldwide distribution in oceans, occuring from intertidal zones to great depths. The brief planctonic lifetime of ascidians result in a restricted natural dispersion, indicating a potential high endemism. However, in response to the rapid economical development in coastal cities, constructions of harbors and other maritime facilities have favored the introduction of exotic species. In order to establish a baseline for monitoring purposes, a study of the ascidian fauna from Ceara state, northeastern coast of Brazil, was conducted on Pecem Harbor (offshore), as well as on its older counterpart, Mucuripe Harbor (inshore). All collected specimens were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic resolution. As a result, from 38 species found (31 and 30 to Mucuripe and Pecem Harbors, respectively) 16 are new records for the region, and 2 (underlined) were also previously unknown for the Brazilian coast: Ascidia sydneiensis, Ascidia sp.1, Ascidia sp.2, Cnemidocarpa irene, Didemnum cineraceum, Didemnum perlucidum, Didemnum sp., Diplosoma sp., Distaplia bursata, Distaplia sp., Ecteinascidia cf. styeliodes, Eusysntyela sp., Lissoclinum sp., Polyandrocarpa anguinea, Polycarpa tumida e Styela canopus. In spite of the restricted occurrence on harbors, 18 were classified introduced, 9 natives and 7 criptogenic species. The ascidian assemblages were clearly different between harbors (p=0,000), but dominated by two main species: S. canopus and M. exasperatus, even though D. cineraceum and Distaplia sp. were also among the most frequent species observed at Pecem and Mucuripe Harbor, respectively. An increase of species richness was observed in the middle depths (3-4m), with slight decrease for later depth samples. Colonial ascidians were the most representative in richness, but Styelidae was the most important family regarding the number of introduced species. The statistical analysis showed differences between depths (p=0,000), but ascidians assemblages present at Mucuripe Harbor were more clearly stratified, possibly by the influence of external factors such as longer submersion time of pilings and higher turbidity. In conclusion, ascidians are an important group colonizing the pilings at both harbors, but further studies on the harbors and vicinities are need to detect and, if possible, avoid ecological and economical impacts related to invasive ascidians

Note on the fisheries and biology of the golden crab (Chaceon fenneri) off the northern coast of Brazil

The occurrence of golden crabs (Chaceon fenneri) off the northern coast of Brazil was first reported in 2001. Since then, a few companies and boats have exploited this resource. In the state of Ceará, one company has been fishing for these crabs with a single boat since 2003. The production and fishing effort of this company indicated a decrease in the number of trips and total catches per year. Data collected on one trip in 2006 showed that the CPUE was highest at over 650 m depth. As registered for other geryonid crabs, C. fenneri was segregated by sex along the northern slope of Brazil. Male crabs were significantly larger than females, presenting an isometric relationship between carapace width and length and an allometric relationship between carapace width and body weight

Agroecosystems of family production in the Amazon and its impacts on soil attributes

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2018-06-04T14:36:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Idelfonso Colares Freitas - 2013.pdf: 4463918 bytes, checksum: 849977e2ab6397764256da0aac77f396 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2018-06-04T14:39:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Idelfonso Colares Freitas - 2013.pdf: 4463918 bytes, checksum: 849977e2ab6397764256da0aac77f396 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-04T14:39:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Idelfonso Colares Freitas - 2013.pdf: 4463918 bytes, checksum: 849977e2ab6397764256da0aac77f396 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013A ausência de restrições climáticas para a produção biológica é a principal característica do bioma Amazônia, o que não se traduz em elevadas produtividades por sucessivos anos de cultivos quando a floresta é substituída por agroecossistemas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do manejo do solo nos atributos químicos e físicos do solo pela agricultura familiar, conduzida de forma primitiva. As maneiras de uso avaliadas foram: sistema agroflorestal, pastagem cultivada, roça de toco e mata preservada (usada como referência), todas em Neossolo Quartzarênico. Monólitos de terra foram coletados nas camadas de 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm em dois anos agrícolas consecutivos (2010/2011 e 2011/2012) nos meses de julho e janeiro coletando-se sete repetições por sistema. Os atributos do solo avaliados foram: grau de floculação, agregados maior que 2 mm, matéria orgânica, acidez, bases trocáveis, teores de fósforo, saturação por bases, alumínio e capacidade de troca de cátions. Os resultados apontam que 22 anos após a conversão da floresta em agroecossistemas ainda é possível verificar melhores indicadores nos sistemas manejados.The absence of environmental constraints to organic production is the main characteristic of the Amazon, which does not translate into high yields of crops for several successive years when the forest is replaced by agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil management on the chemical and physical properties of soil by family agriculture, conducted in primitive way. The evaluated forms of use were: agroforestry system, pasture, slash-and-burn agriculture and preserved forest (used as reference), all under Entisol Quartzipsamment. Soil monoliths were collected at 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm during two consecutive years (2010/2011 and 2011/2012) in July and January, collecting seven replicates per system. The evaluated soil attributes were: flocculation, aggregates larger than 2 mm, organic matter, acidity, exchangeable cations, phosphorus, base saturation, aluminum and cation exchange capacity. The results indicate that 22 years after the conversion of forest into agricultural ecosystems it is still possible to see the best indicators in managed systems