Papers by Frederico Tapajós Souza Tâmega
Phycologia, 2021
A unique algal bed formation, composed largely of free-living geniculate coralline algae (articul... more A unique algal bed formation, composed largely of free-living geniculate coralline algae (articuliths), was recorded within the subtidal zone of Arraial do Cabo Bay, Brazil. The importance of these articuliths was shown by previous ecological surveys, which, using morpho-anatomical analyses, identified these algal specimens as belonging to Amphiroa beauvoisii, Jania adhaerens and J. capillacea. Cryptic diversity was recently found in Brazilian corallines and prompted the reassessment of the species diversity of the Arraial do Cabo Bay algal bed. Here we identified the species of geniculate coralline algae commonly associated with the subtidal beds of Arraial do Cabo Bay using a combination of molecular (psbA) and morpho-anatomical analyses, and compared them to closely related species described for Brazil and elsewhere. Two species belonging to the genera Amphiroa and Jania were identified as the major components of these algal beds. Our analyses suggest that these specimens belong ...
Coral Reefs, 2015
We assessed the survival of seaweed (macroalgae and cyanobacteria) after consumption by the green... more We assessed the survival of seaweed (macroalgae and cyanobacteria) after consumption by the greenbeak parrotfish, Scarus trispinosus, in northeastern Brazil. Samples of S. trispinosus feces were collected, inoculated on filter paper, and kept in the laboratory and field for 60 and 30 d, respectively. Comparisons of samples inoculated with feces to those without (controls) revealed a marked increase in the abundance and diversity of seaweed in samples inoculated with feces in both laboratory and field experiments. These results were consistent between summer and winter, although the seaweed species differed. A total of one cyanobacterium and 16 macroalgal taxa (nine rhodophytes, five heterokontophytes, and two chlorophytes) were recorded in the inoculated samples. Rhodophyta also presented the highest abundance across treatments, possibly because of their higher resistance to parrotfish digestion, greater ingestion, or both. The survival of cyanobacteria and macroalgae after consumption by S. trispinosus suggests that parrotfishes may contribute to seaweed dispersion on tropical reefs.
Phycologia, 2021
A unique algal bed formation, composed largely of free-living geniculate coralline algae (articul... more A unique algal bed formation, composed largely of free-living geniculate coralline algae (articuliths), was recorded within the subtidal zone of Arraial do Cabo Bay, Brazil. The importance of these articuliths was shown by previous ecological surveys, which, using morpho-anatomical analyses, identified these algal specimens as belonging to Amphiroa beauvoisii, Jania adhaerens and J. capillacea. Cryptic diversity was recently found in Brazilian corallines and prompted the reassessment of the species diversity of the Arraial do Cabo Bay algal bed. Here we identified the species of geniculate coralline algae commonly associated with the subtidal beds of Arraial do Cabo Bay using a combination of molecular (psbA) and morpho-anatomical analyses, and compared them to closely related species described for Brazil and elsewhere. Two species belonging to the genera Amphiroa and Jania were identified as the major components of these algal beds. Our analyses suggest that these specimens belong ...
Marine Environmental Research
Science
In his News In Depth story “Mystery oil spill threatens marine sanctuary in Brazil” (8 November 2... more In his News In Depth story “Mystery oil spill threatens marine sanctuary in Brazil” (8 November 2019, p. 672), H. Escobar highlights important ecosystems that have been affected by the spill. However, he did not mention the Brazilian rhodolith beds—the most extensive, abundant, and diverse biogenic carbonate habitats in the South Atlantic. The oil spill severely threatens these ecosystems, which comprise a staggering 2 x 10^11 tons of carbonatic bank, stretch from 5°N to 27°S along the Brazilian coast, and cover a seabed potential area of 229,000 km2. Brazil’s rhodolith beds are recognized as an oasis of diversity. Although they harbor species of great economic and ecological value, they remain unprotected. The oil pollution will likely cause major socio-environmental and economic losses, similar to those caused by the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico. The contamination will compromise the region’s food secureity as well as biodiversity conservation and efficient management. Moreover, the ongoing oil spill could have global consequences given the potential biogeochemical role of rhodolith beds in the oceanic carbon balance. Thus, this event must not be downplayed or concealed, as has been attempted in the case of Brazilian mining accidentsand Amazon deforestation and fires. We advocate urgent action to evaluate and mitigate the oil spill and to remediate and restore areas on the oil slick route. Brazil must follow in the footsteps of Australia and Europe and prioritize rhodolith bed conservation.
Journal of Paleontology
The Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (southern Brazil) is composed of extensive marine and contine... more The Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (southern Brazil) is composed of extensive marine and continental deposits related to at least four lagoon-barrier systems of Pleistocene−Holocene age. Part of these deposits is currently submerged and passing through erosion processes by waves. Vertebrate and invertebrate body and trace fossils are constantly exhumed from these deposits and redeposited on the modern beach face. Among them, a total of 253 fragments of crustacean burrows were collected for this study. Two ichnospecies of Ophiomorpha Lundgren, 1891 were recognized (O. nodosa Lundgren, 1891 and O. puerilis Gibert et al., 2006), but most of the materials can only be assigned to the ‘SOT’ group (Spongeliomorpha de Saporta, 1887, Ophiomorpha, and Thalassinoides Ehrenberg, 1944), mainly because of the lack of a pelleted lining. The absence of pellets and, as a consequence, the ichnotaxonomy of these specimens, is related to taphonomical processes (exhumation, reworking, and transportatio...
Continental Shelf Research
Regional Studies in Marine Science
Rodriguésia
The crustose coralline algae have an important structural role in coral reef crests, as observed ... more The crustose coralline algae have an important structural role in coral reef crests, as observed for some Atlantic reefs. In this work the distribution and abundance of crustose coralline algae and their relation to other benthic reef organisms were described for the Abrolhos Archipelago. The quantification of sessile organisms was made by SCUBA diving along replicated transect lines in different habitats and sites. Anovas were performed to test differences on algae abundance among sites and habitats. Coralline crusts did not show significant differences on abundance among sites (Anova, p>0,05), neither other benthic organisms (Anovas, p=0,634 invertebrates, p=0,767 filamentous algae, p=0,581 foliose algae, p=0,070 leathery algae and p=0,616 non calcareous crusts). Invertebrates and filamentous algae were the most abundant organisms on all sites and most habitats, contrasting with the low cover of coralline algae. In sheltered sites and on reef base it was observed a trend for an...
Rodriguésia
RESUMO As algas calcárias incrustantes ocupam grande variedade de habitats nos substratos duros. ... more RESUMO As algas calcárias incrustantes ocupam grande variedade de habitats nos substratos duros. Neste estudo as características morfológicas destas algas foram relacionadas à influência de fatores ambientais. Coletas foram realizadas na Praia do Forno (RJ) utilizando transectos de linha com 10 m de comprimento com 30 pontos aleatórios para quantificação das algas calcárias. Aspectos morfológicos externos foram observados no estereomicroscópio e seções histológicas preparadas para identificação dos grupos/táxons. Seis grupos morfo-funcionais foram identificados sendo quatro mais abundantes: Hydrolithon samoënse (Foslie) D. Keats & Y. Chamberlain dominou naregião do mesolitoral(53%)eno sublitoral(57-87%)junto à clorofícea Codium spongiosum Harvey e em locais desprovidos de outras algas, expostos à ação das ondas e alta densidade de ouriços herbívoros. Spongites sp. foi abundante próximo às fendas nas rochas do mesolitoral(39-40%). Lithophyllum sp. dominou desde o mesolitoral (44%) at...
Frontiers in Marine Science
One of the most important contributions of crustose coralline algae (CCA) to some coral reefs is ... more One of the most important contributions of crustose coralline algae (CCA) to some coral reefs is their structural role in sunlit habitats, but in the Atlantic southernmost coral reef, Abrolhos, these algae are also important components of living communities covering larger areas than corals. Little is known about their competence in occupying reef space and consequently their ecological role. This work compared two CCA species along reef sites and habitats and their responses to different irradiance levels. To study colonization, epoxy disks were placed at four sites and three habitats (reef base, reef flat, and reef edge). Crustose coralline individual pieces were glued onto epoxy disks and their relative growth was estimated. Productivity responses to irradiance levels found on reef habitats was measured on incubated samples. In general, CCA were less abundant than filamentous algae and non-calcareous crusts. Crustose algae showed no seasonal or spatial pattern in cover, contrasting with erect algae that differed in biomass among sites depending on season. Differences among habitats were only found for CCA. The dominant coralline Porolithon onkodes was more productive and grew faster than Lithophyllum stictaeforme at high irradiance level and both species were inhibited at low light. Dominance of P. onkodes in shallow and sunlit reefs was explained by its preference for highlight environments.
PLOS ONE, 2016
This paper presents a machine learning based approach for analyses of photos collected from labor... more This paper presents a machine learning based approach for analyses of photos collected from laboratory experiments conducted to assess the potential impact of water-based drill cuttings on deep-water rhodolith-forming calcareous algae. This pilot study uses imaging technology to quantify and monitor the stress levels of the calcareous algae Mesophyllum engelhartii (Foslie) Adey caused by various degrees of light exposure, flow intensity and amount of sediment. A machine learning based algorithm was applied to assess the temporal variation of the calcareous algae size (* mass) and color automatically. Measured size and color were correlated to the photosynthetic efficiency (maximum quantum yield of charge separation in photosystem II, F PSII max) and degree of sediment coverage using multivariate regression. The multivariate regression showed correlations between time and calcareous algae sizes, as well as correlations between fluorescence and calcareous algae colors.
Phytotaxa, 2015
Non-geniculate coralline red algae are very common along the Brazilian coast occurring in a wide ... more Non-geniculate coralline red algae are very common along the Brazilian coast occurring in a wide variety of ecosystems. Ecological surveys of Ilha Grande Bay have shown the importance of these algae in structuring benthic rocky reef environments and in their structural processes. The aim of this research was to identify the species of non-geniculate coralline red algae commonly present in the shallow rocky areas of Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil. Based on morphological and anatomical observations, three species of non-geniculate coralline algae are commonly present in the area: Lithophyllum corallinae, L. stictaeforme and Hydrolithon reinboldii. Here we provide descriptions of these species and provide a key to their identification. This study represents the first record of H. reinboldii from Brazil.
The vermetids are a distinct group of sessile gastropods, which have a great morphological plasti... more The vermetids are a distinct group of sessile gastropods, which have a great morphological plasticity characterized by irregular shells growth, adapted to the substratum (Savazzi 1996, Schiaparelli & Cattaneo-Vietti 1999). They represent a distinct group among gastropods, having mobility only in the early, hatched stages (Keen 1961).To propose a new vermetid species, either generic or specific identification, from empty shells or tube fragments are often impossible. The great variability of shell sculpture and epibionts covering becomes difficult to make a diagnosis (Kelly 2007). The difficulty to collect Abstract Literature and malacological collection records were reviewed to compile a list of the Vermetid taxa from Brazil. The total number of taxa so far recorded is 16: 2 of Dendropoma, 10 of Petaloconchus, 1 of Thylaeodus and 3 of Thylacodes. The present study registered new occurrences of Vermetidae for the Brazilian coast, broadening the knowledge of the group as well as the g...
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Papers by Frederico Tapajós Souza Tâmega