A pilot study on movement patterns of brazilian reef fish using acoustic telemetry

The application of acoustic telemetry caused profound changes in the study of ecology, including in the marine environment. This technique allowed the development of research investigating the movement patterns of fish and other organisms, for both ecological and management purposes. In this study we analyse the living area and the movement patterns of a reef fish within and around a strictly protected area, aiming, among others, to evaluate its effectiveness for the conservation of fishing resources. The study was developed in the Marine Biodiversity Protection Zone of Tamandaré (ZPVMT), an exclusion area (resource extraction and visitation) located on the southern coast of the state of Pernambuco, within the limits of the Marine Protected Area APA Costa dos Corais. In particular this report presents the results obtained during range tests carried out near the Ilha da Barra reef, covering the four moon phases in order to evaluate the influence of tidal variations on the detection range of the VR2W receivers. Results of this experiment, coupled with observations of fish movement using underwater visual census were the basis for the design of a telemetry receiver array deployed on the reef site. The continuation and expansion of this work, with tagging of fish and analysis of results, will serve as a basis to evaluate the effectiveness of ZPVMT to increase biomass in the surrounding open areas, to plan new exclusion zones within the APA Coral Coast, and to contribute to the design of other marine protected areas

New records of fishes for the Vitória-Trindade Chain, southwestern Atlantic

Oceanic islands and seamounts play an important role on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity, however, these environments are still poorly understood. Here we report 15 new records of reef fish species for the Davis Seamount, Trindade Island and Martin Vaz Archipelago, in the Vitoria-Trindade Chain (VTC). Such isolated sites are among the last frontier for shallow reef exploration in the South Atlantic, and more scientific effort is needed to better understand their biogeography and to help in conservation efforts

Fish Biodiversity of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain, Southwestern Atlantic: An Updated Database

<div><p>Despite a strong increase in research on seamounts and oceanic islands ecology and biogeography, many basic aspects of their biodiversity are still unknown. In the southwestern Atlantic, the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain (VTC) extends ca. 1,200 km offshore the Brazilian continental shelf, from the Vitória seamount to the oceanic islands of Trindade and Martin Vaz. For a long time, most of the biological information available regarded its islands. Our study presents and analyzes an extensive database on the VTC fish biodiversity, built on data compiled from literature and recent scientific expeditions that assessed both shallow to mesophotic environments. A total of 273 species were recorded, 211 of which occur on seamounts and 173 at the islands. New records for seamounts or islands include 191 reef fish species and 64 depth range extensions. The structure of fish assemblages was similar between islands and seamounts, not differing in species geographic distribution, trophic composition, or spawning strategies. Main differences were related to endemism, higher at the islands, and to the number of endangered species, higher at the seamounts. Since unregulated fishing activities are common in the region, and mining activities are expected to drastically increase in the near future (carbonates on seamount summits and metals on slopes), this unique biodiversity needs urgent attention and management.</p></div

Summary of the fish assemblage characteristics found along the VTC.

<p>Geographic distribution (WA = Western Atlantic; TA = Trans Atlantic). Trophic guilds (CAR = carnivores; PLA = planktivores; HER = herbivores; OMN = omnivores). Spawn type (PEL = Pelagic eggs; LIV = Live birth; DEG = Demersal egg; BAL = Balistid-type demersal eggs; BRO = Brooded egg; DNP = Demersal eggs no pelagic phase). Endangered status following IUCN (CR = Critically Endangered; ED = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near threatened; LC = Least concern; DD = Data deficient) or Brazilian Red List (ET = Threatened of extinction; OT = Over-exploited). Habitat use (total species = proportion between the number of species that use one habitat on the total number of species found in the VTC; exclusive species = proportion between the number of species that use exclusively one habitat on the total number of species found in this habitat) (RS = reefs; RH = rhodolith beds; WC = water column; SD = sand).</p

Vitória-Trindade Chain, Southwestern Atlantic.

<p>Sites surveyed in this study are named. Bathymetric data from Smith and Sandwell [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0118180#pone.0118180.ref105" target="_blank">105</a>].</p

Diversity of habitats on the VTC.

<p>(A) rhodolith beds, extensively found on seamount summits and island’ shelves, (B) rocky reefs from Trindade and Martin Vaz islands, (C) patch reefs from Trindade Island, (D) Coralline reef structures covered of sponges at Davis Seamount; (E) High relief and complex reef structures that reaches depths of 17 m at Davis Seamount. Photos by R.M. Macieira, R. Francini-Filho, R.L. Moura, H.T. Pinheiro, PANGEA expedition.</p

Number of species recorded in each sampling site of the Vitória-Trindade Chain, southwestern Atlantic.

<p>Number of species recorded in each sampling site of the Vitória-Trindade Chain, southwestern Atlantic.</p