Sponge-ophiuroid ecological associations, which are important in the dynamics of marine populatio... more Sponge-ophiuroid ecological associations, which are important in the dynamics of marine populations and communities, have been recorded for a long time. In this study, we report new records of interactions between sponges and ophiuroids, which were obtained by analyzing biological collections, to increase knowledge about the associations between these animals. The study observed 14 interactions between sponges and ophiuroids, eight of which are new to science: Ophiocnida scabriuscula and Agelas sp., Ophiothrix sp. and Monanchora arbuscula, Ophiactis quinqueradia and M. arbuscula, O. quinqueradia and Callyspongia (Cladochalina) aculeata, Ophiactis savignyi and Agelas dispar, O. savignyi and M. arbuscula, O. savignyi and Topsentia ophiraphidites, and O. savignyi and Dysidea etheria. The specimens found were collected in four areas of the northeastern Brazilian coast (tropical southwestern Atlantic), including a conservation area and a mesophotic coral ecosystem. Thus, the continuation of studies and the implementation of conservation strategies for these environments are essential. Finally, the importance of biological collections as a crucial data source for biodiversity studies is reinforced.
The taxonomic study of Great Amazon Reef System sponges yielded three Oceanapia-like (Phloeodicty... more The taxonomic study of Great Amazon Reef System sponges yielded three Oceanapia-like (Phloeodictyidae, Haplosclerida) species of similar gross morphology, two preliminarily identified as O. bartschi and another as Coelocarteria (Poecilosclerida), due to the presence of common palmate isochelae. The remarkable overall similarity of all three species in gross morphology necessitated an integrative assessment of the phylogenetic affinities. A selection of haplosclerid and poecilosclerid sequences (18S and 28S rRNA) was gathered from Genbank and compared to sequences mapped to reference from metagenome of two Oceanapia-like species from the Amazon River mouth, one of which matched O. bartschi. Both Brazilian species clustered with Coelocarteria singaporensis (Singapore). These species nest in the Poecilosclerida, far from Oceanapia (sp. and isodictyiformis) and other haplosclerids (Amphimedon, Petrosia, Siphonodictyon and Xestospongia) but also far from the poecilosclerid Isodictya that...
FIGURE 6. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). Holotype of Prianos grayi (YPM 9008): (A) ectosome i... more FIGURE 6. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). Holotype of Prianos grayi (YPM 9008): (A) ectosome in tangential view; (B) perpendicular section through the choanosome, (G–H) strongyles and details of their extremities. Xestospongia grayi sensu Mothes & Bastian, 1993 (MCN 1327): (C) ectosome in tangential view, (D) perpendicular section throught the choanosome, (I– J) strongyles and details of their extremities. MNRJ 13104: (E) ectosome in tangential view, (F) perpendicular section through the choanosome, (K–L) strongyles and details of their extremities. Scale bars: (A–F) 100 µm, (G, I, K) 50 µm, (H, J, L) 10 µm.
FIGURE 3. Sigmaxinella cearense sp. nov. Holotype (MNRJ 8687), skeletal architecture. A. Choanoso... more FIGURE 3. Sigmaxinella cearense sp. nov. Holotype (MNRJ 8687), skeletal architecture. A. Choanosomal architecture giving rise to unspecialized ectosomal arrangement in a spatuliferous projection. B. Longitudinal section of condensed choanosomal architecture in the peduncle area showing abundant spongin. Scale bars, 500µm.
In the last years, in addition to recording the diversity, the biological collections have also b... more In the last years, in addition to recording the diversity, the biological collections have also been used as repositories for ecological data. In order to contribute to the knowledge of Brazilian biological collections and, consequently, Brazil’s biodiversity, especially marine, the present study brings data from four regional collections (phyla Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, and Echinodermata) of the Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará. The composition and geographic distribution data of each phylum were obtained by analyzing the digital spreadsheets containing the information about the deposited material. Together, the analyzed collections have 1,378 lots, being 303 of Porifera, 131 of Cnidaria, 414 of Bryozoa, and 530 of Echinodermata. Despite their regional nature, the collections of Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa and Echinodermata of the Universidade Federal do Ceará represent, respectively, 6.5%, 6.9%, 10.7%, and 17.5% of the species so far recorded for the Braz...
Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting proces... more Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting processes vital to the maintenance of biodiversity. Here we show the presence and location of extensive reef habitats on the continental shelf between the Amazon Reef System (ARS) and the Eastern Brazilian Reef System (ERS), two reef complexes off eastern South America. Formations located 20–50 m deep include both biogenic and geogenic structures. The presence of diverse reef assemblages suggests the widespread occurrence of rocky substrates below 50 m. These habitats represent an expansion of both the ARS and ERS and the closure of the only remaining large-scale gap (~ 1000 km) among West Atlantic reef environments. This indicates that the SW Atlantic harbors a single, yet heterogeneous, reef system that stretches for about 4000 km, and thus, represents one of the largest semi-continuous tropical marine ecosystems in the world.
Despite its 2000 km long shoreline, to date less than 50 sponge species have been reported from t... more Despite its 2000 km long shoreline, to date less than 50 sponge species have been reported from the entire Peruvian coast. A large collecting effort targeting marine sponges was undertaken between 2007 and 2009, yielding a comprehensive collection of nearly 900 samples, whose taxonomic study is underway. Three new species of Hymedesmiidae are presently described from the Peruvian coast, all belonging in Hymedesmia (Hymedesmia), one of which also found in Chile. Hymedesmia (H.) santarositae sp. nov., from Isla Santa Rosa (Paracas), is characterized by the presence of microstrongyles next to sigmas. Hymedesmia (H.) peruana sp. nov., from Isla Foca (Piura), is diagnosed by its three categories of acanthostyles, and single categories of tornotes and arcuate isochelae. Hymedesmia (H.) humboldti sp. nov., from Moquega and Arequipa regions in Peru, and Antofagasta and Atacama regions in Chile, is diagnosed by its two categories of acanthostyles, and single categories of (aniso)strongyles ...
<i>Neopetrosia</i> aff. <i>carbonaria</i> (Lamarck, 1814) <i>Neopet... more <i>Neopetrosia</i> aff. <i>carbonaria</i> (Lamarck, 1814) <i>Neopetrosia carbonaria</i> (Lamarck, 1814): Muricy <i>et al</i>. 2011: 106 (in part, only Brazilian records). <b>Studied material (14 specimens):</b> Brazil, Ceará State, MNRJ 17400, Acaraizinho de Amontada, intertidal, Col. R. Farias and K. Santiago Santiago, 2013.11; Trairí City: Mundaú beach (3.17418º S, 39.35723º W): MNRJ 17866, 1 m depth, Col. M. S. Carvalho, 2014.3.29; MNRJ 17741, 1 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2014.3.29; MNRJ 17766, 1 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2014.3.31; MNRJ 17777, 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2014.3.29; MNRJ 17832, 1 m depth, Col. S. Salani, 2014.3.29; Flecheiras Beach (3.21858º S, 39.26344º W): MNRJ 17782, 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2014.3.30; MNRJ 17783, 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2014.3.30; MNRJ 17840, 1 m depth, Col. S. Salani, 2014.3.30; MNRJ 17887, 1 m depth, Col. M. S.Carvalho, 2014.3.30. Rio Grande do Norte State, MNRJ 18033, Parrachos de Maracajaú, Maxaranguape City (5.40114º S, 35.29677º W), depth not record, Col. S. Salani, 2014.4.6. Alagoas State, Maceió City: Ponta Verde Beach (9.65000º S, 35.68333º W): MNRJ 4713, 0.5–1 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2001.9.3; Recife Ponta do Meirim (9.70000º S, 35.76667º W): MNRJ 17035, 0.5–1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2012.1.10. Bahia State: MNRJ 18690, Abrolhos Bank, Pedra de Leste, 3 m depth, Col. F. Moraes, 2014.6.30. <b>Comparative material.</b> <i>Spongia carbonaria</i> Lamarck, 1814, Holotype MNHN-LBIM-DT 545, Schizotype MNRJ 21834. <i>Adocia carbonaria</i>, Hechtel (1976), YPM IZ 008960, Pernambuco State (Recife), digitized images of dissociated spicules and thick anatomical sections. <b>Remarks.</b> We found toxas in many Brazilian specimens studied (MNRJ 4713, 9405, 17034, 17400), hitherto unreported for the species, and seemingly absent from the holotype reexamined here. These toxas can be quite rare, and occur in both black or brown sponges. We consider Brazilian <i>N. carbonaria</i> -like sponges as likely belonging to a new species under description by Santos <i>et al.</i> (in prep., pers [...]
<i>Xestospongia dorigo</i> sp. nov. (Fig. 1, 7; Tab. 7) <b>Holotype.</b> ... more <i>Xestospongia dorigo</i> sp. nov. (Fig. 1, 7; Tab. 7) <b>Holotype.</b> Brazil, Alagoas State, MNRJ 15405, Francês Beach (9.76725º S, 35.83610º W, Marechal Deodoro), 2.9 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2011.9.15. <b>Paratypes (two specimens).</b> Ceará State, MNRJ 20131, Boi Choco Beach (03.68753º S, 38.61034º W, Dois Coqueiros, Caucaia), 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo &amp; S. Salani, 2016.4.11. Alagoas State (type locality), MNRJ 21029, 2– 4 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2016.12.19. <b>Diagnosis.</b> This is the only Tropical Western Atlantic <i>Xestospongia</i> with a cushion-shape, no projections, with relatively small oscula (2–3 mm diam.), and white to beige colour <i>in vivo</i>. Megascleres are oxeas with acerate, hastate and mucronate ends, 300–450/ 5–15 µm. <b>External morphology.</b> Cushion-shaped, up to 12 cm in diameter (Fig. 7A–B). Surface smooth to the naked eye, irregular, without any marked projections, but rough to the touch. Rare, circular oscules (2–3 mm diam.). Consistency firm, slightly compressible, and fragile. Colour <i>in vivo</i> light yellowish-white (holotype), light grayish-brown (MNRJ 20131), or light yellowish-beige (MNRJ 21029), becoming a light shade of gray or beige after fixation. <b>Skeleton.</b> Ectosomal, an isodyctial, isotropic reticulation (Fig. 7C) with uni- to paucispicular tracts (up to 63 µm thick), forming (sub)triangular meshes (65–195 µm wide). Choanosomal, similar, but denser than the ectosomal, tracts 30–90 µm thick, meshes 110–230 µm wide (Fig. 7D); aquiferous canals seen here and there (520–1,775 µm wide). <b>Spicules.</b> Oxeas in a single size class, smooth, slightly curved, with hastate, acerate and mucronate edges: 294–369 (22)–445/ 5–10 (2)– 15 µm (Fig.7E–F; Tab.7). <b>Ecology.</b> The species occurs in association with other sponge species, tunicates, ophiuroids and mollusks, between 1 and 4 m depth. <b>Etymology.</b> The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition, and honors Prof. Dr. Monica Dorigo Correia, prematurely deceased, a long-time collaborator and friend o [...]
<i>Hemimycale oxeata</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 3; TAbLES 1, 3) Synonymy: <i>Hemi... more <i>Hemimycale oxeata</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 3; TAbLES 1, 3) Synonymy: <i>Hemimycale</i> Sp., Muricy <i>et al.</i>, 1991: 5. <b>Diagnosis.</b> ThIS IS ThE ONLY SPEcIES IN ThE gENUS wITh OXEOTE LIkE TORNOTE mEgAScLERES IN AddITION TO ThE TYPIcAL (SUbTYLO-)STRONgYLES. MIcROScLERES AbSENT. <b>Material examined. Holotype</b> MNRJ 21302, GURIRI ISLET (23° 10' 24.21"S, 44° 05' 32.54"W), OFF ILhA GRANdE, ANgRA dOS REIS, SOUThERN RIO dE JANEIRO STATE, 10 m dEPTh, cOLL. E. L. ESTEVES, APRIL 5, 2013; SLIdES OF cROSS SEcTIONS ANd dISSOcIATEd SPIcULES FROm ThE hOLOTYPE ARE dEPOSITEd UNdER UERJPOR 85. <b>Paratypes</b>: MNRJ 276, ITAçUcê ISLET (23° 49' 54.06"S, 45° 26' 36.04"W, BAREqUEçAbA bEAch), SãO SEbASTIãO, SãO PAULO STATE, 6 m dEPTh, cOLL. E. HAjdU, JANUARY 23, 1996; MNRJ 3989, FORNO hARbOUR (22° 58' 12"S, 42° 00' 36" W), ARRAIAL dO CAbO, RIO dE JANEIRO STATE, 4‒8 m dEPTh, cOLLS. E. HAjdU &amp; E. VILLANOVA, APRIL 11, 2001; MNRJ 14651, ARVOREdO ISLANd (27° 17' 00"S, 48° 22' 00"W), OFF BOmbINhAS, SANTA CATARINA, 15 m dEPTh, cOLL. C. PAScELLI, JANUARY 29, 2013; MNRJ 15582, ALcATRAzES ARchIPELAgO (24° 06.333'S, 45° 42.127'W), OFF SãO SEbASTIãO, SãO PAULO STATE, 8.5 m dEPTh, cOLL. S. SALANI &amp; E. HAjdU, JULY 28, 2012; MNRJ 15590, ALcATRAzES ARchIPELAgO (24° 05' 44.6"S, 45° 41' 32.4"W), OFF SãO SEbASTIãO, SãO PAULO STATE, 10.4 m dEPTh, cOLLS. S. SALANI &amp; E. HAjdU, JULY 29, 2012; UERJPOR 105 ANd 110 (SAmE dATA AS FOR ThE hOLOTYPE). <b>Etymology.</b> ThE NAmE " <i>oxeata</i> " IS A REmINdER OF ThE PRESENcE OF OXEAS IN ThE NEw SPEcIES. <b>Description.</b> ThINLY TO ThIckLY ENcRUSTINg (4.5‒8.7 cm wIdE, 0.8‒3.0 mm ThIck). ORANgE cOLOR IN LIFE, EXTERNALLY ANd INTERNALLY, ANd bEIgE AFTER FIXATION IN EThANOL. EcTOSOmE LIghTER cOLOREd ThAN ThE chOANOSOmE. OScULES cIRcULAR, wITh A PRONOUNcEd PERIOScULAR mEmbRANE (1.2‒3.7 mm wIdE). SUbdERmAL chANNELS cONSPIcUOUS (0.2‒0.7 mm wIdE), cONFLUENT TO OScULES. AREOLATEd PORE SIEVES cIRcULAR TO IRREgULAR, LARgE (1.6‒12 mm wIdE), wITh A SLIghTLY ELEVATEd RIm (1 mm hIgh), cONSPIcUOUS ANd c [...]
Genus <i>Hemimycale</i> Burton, 1934 <b>Definition.</b> HYmEdESmIIdAE wIT... more Genus <i>Hemimycale</i> Burton, 1934 <b>Definition.</b> HYmEdESmIIdAE wIThOUT AcANThOSTYLES ANd mIcROScLERES OThER ThAN RAPhIdES. MEgAScLERES STRONgYLES, OXEAS ANd STYLES. STYLES ANd STRONgYLES NOT dIVISIbLE INTO EcTOSOmAL OR chOANOSOmAL SPIcULES. OXEAS whEN PRESENT ARE IN ThE chOANOSOmE ONLY (AmENdEd FROm VAN SOEST, 2002A: 578‒580). TYPE SPEcIES: <i>Desmacidon columella</i> BOwERbANk, 1874 (bY ORIgINAL dESIgNATION). TYPE LOcALITY: EXmOUTh, ENgLANd (IN TIdAL POOLS). <b>Remarks.</b> ThE dEFINITION OF <i>Hemimycale</i> wAS SLIghTLY AmENdEd FOR ThE INcLUSION OF <i>H. oxeata</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> wITh OXEOTE LIkE TORNOTE SPIcULES, ANd <i>H. ceadensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, wITh RAPhIdES. PULITzER-FINALI (1977) mENTIONEd ThE OccURENcE OF SPEcImENS OF <i>H. columella</i> IN PANAREA (ITALY, MEdITERRANEAN SEA) wITh STYLES AS ThE ONLY mEgAScLERES. HOwEVER, hE hAS PRObAbLY mISTA...
Key for the identification of <i>Hemimycale</i> species 1 Megascleres are (subtylo-)s... more Key for the identification of <i>Hemimycale</i> species 1 Megascleres are (subtylo-)strongyles and oxeote like tornotes; without raphides...................... <i>H. oxeata</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> - Megascleres are strongyles varying to anisostrongyles, subtylostrongyles or styles. No oxeas. Raphides may be present..... 2 2 Styles occasionally present.............................................................................. 3 - Styles never present.................................................................................... 4 3 Color in life bright red, pink or pale orange; choanosomal skeleton plumose; megascleres are (aniso-)strongyles larger than 300 x 5 µm, and styles with almost the same dimensions as the strongyles................................ <i>H. columella</i> - Color in life dark greenish blue; choanosomal skeleton plumose or plumoreticulate; megascleres are (aniso-)strongyles smaller than 300 x 5 µm, and relatively...
<i>Hemimycale ceadensis</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 4; TAbLES 2, 3) <b>Material ex... more <i>Hemimycale ceadensis</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 4; TAbLES 2, 3) <b>Material examined. Holotype</b> MNRJ 21303, JORgE GREgO ISLANd (23° 13' 15.03"S, 44° 09' 14.88"W), OFF ILhA GRANdE, ANgRA dOS REIS, RIO dE JANEIRO STATE, 12 m dEPTh, cOLL. E.L. ESTEVES, SEPTEmbER 11, 2013. SLIdES OF cROSS SEcTIONS ANd dISSOcIATEd SPIcULES FROm ThE hOLOTYPE ARE dEPOSITEd UNdER UERJPOR 206. <b>Paratypes</b>: UERJPOR 188 (SAmE dATA AS FOR ThE hOLOTYPE); UERJPOR 203, SAmE LOcALITY, dEPTh ANd dATE OF cOLLEcTION AS FOR ThE hOLOTYPE ANd PARATYPE 188, cOLL. H. FORTUNATO. <b>Etymology.</b> ThE NEw SPEcIES wAS NAmEd " <i>ceadensis</i> " IN REcOgNITION OF ThE hISTORIcAL ANd ScIENTIFIc VALUE OF ThE CENTER FOR ENVIRONmENTAL STUdIES ANd SUSTAINAbLE DEVELOPmENT (CEADS / UERJ), AS A cENTER FOR ThE dEVELOPmENT OF RESEARch ANd EdUcATIONAL AcTIVITIES cONdUcTEd AT ILhA GRANdE, RIO dE JANEIRO STATE. <b>……</b> <i>continued on the next page</i> <b>TABLE ³.</b> (Continue&amp;dstrok;) <b>Species Locality Reference External morphology Internal anatomy Spicules</b> <i>H. columella</i> Spain, Northwestern Uriz <i>et al.,</i> 2017 Encrusting to massive. Circular pore Plumose skeleton of anisostrongyles Anisotrongyles (Bowerbank, Me&amp;dstrok;iterranean, (27 1 29 m sieves (~6/ ~3). Color pinkish-orange (302 1 435/ 3 1 4). 1874) &amp;dstrok;epth). to white externally, &amp;dstrok;ark orange Styles rare or completely internally absent Marseille an&amp;dstrok; Roscoff, Vacelet <i>et al</i>., 1987 Encrusting, somewhat massive. _ Strongyles France. Creamy pink or brownish (220 1 470/ 2 1 6) Few styles present. Italy (Tyrrhenian an&amp;dstrok; Ionian Pulitzer-Finali, 1977 Encrusting to massive. Color orange in _ Strongyles varying to Seas, 8 1 60 m &amp;dstrok;epth) life an&amp;dstrok; pale brown after fixation anisostrongyles or subtylostrongyles (260 1 453/ 3 1 6) Panarea, Italy (1 1 2 m Pulitzer-Finali, _ _ Styles (270 1 380/ 3 1 5) &amp;dstrok;epth) 1977* * Possibly a recor&amp;dstrok; of <i>Crambe crambe</i> (Schmi&amp;dstrok;t, 1862). <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>He [...]
<i>Neopetrosia sulcata</i> Santos, Sandes, Cabral &amp; Pinheiro, 2016 <b>H... more <i>Neopetrosia sulcata</i> Santos, Sandes, Cabral &amp; Pinheiro, 2016 <b>Holotype</b> (not examined). Brazil, Rio Grande do Norte State, UFPEPOR 17, Potiguar Basin (4.62547º S, 36.76686º W), 70–101 m depth, leg. Petrobras, 2003.5.4. <b>Diagnosis.</b> Irregularly cylindrical fragments. Surface punctiform or furrowed, rugose to the touch, with scattered circular oscules (1.5–10 mm diam.), always flush with the surface. Consistency hard, slightly brittle. Ectosome formed by tangential multispicular tracts (50–250 μm diam.), with rounded meshes (150–300 μm diam.), and the apical brushes of oxeas from longitudinal choanosomal spicule tracts. Choanosomal skeleton isotropic, with a superimposed anisotropic orientation of multispicular tracts and single spicules strewn in confusion. Oxeas smooth, relatively robust, usually curved, with fairly high percentage of variations at the ends (mucronate, stepped, hastate, asymmetrical, or blunt), 119–193 x 2.8– 9.6 μm [adapted from Santos <i>et al.</i> 2016]. <b>Description.</b> Refer to Santos <i>et al</i>. (2016). <b>Distribution.</b> Tropical Atlantic. Brazil: Maranhão State (Campos <i>et al.</i> 2005, as <i>N. proxima</i>); Potiguar Basin, Rio Grande do Norte State (Santos <i>et al.</i> 2016).
FIGURE 1 A, off Amapá State - NHo 'Cruzeiro do Sul (AP); B, N.O.A.S. Station 1773A (Amazon Ri... more FIGURE 1 A, off Amapá State - NHo 'Cruzeiro do Sul (AP); B, N.O.A.S. Station 1773A (Amazon River mouth, AP); C, R/V 'Atlantis' AMZ–4 Stn. (Amazon River mouth, PA); D, R/V 'Victor Hensen' Stn. 47 (off São Luis, MA); E, Acaraizinho de Amontada (CE); F, Flecheiras beach (Trairi, CE); G, Dois Coqueiros beach (Caucaia, CE); H, Maracajaú (Maxaranguape, RN); I, Deep Fenda crevice (Atoll das Rocas, RN); J, Salãozinho tide pool (Atoll das Rocas, RN); K, dos Mapas tide pool (Atoll das Rocas, RN); L, Rata Isl. (Cagarras Rasas and Cagarras Fundas, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); M, Buraco da Raquel (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); N, Lage Dois Irmãos (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); O, Cordilheira (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); P, Ponta das Caracas (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); Q, Recife Biquara (Tamandaré, PE); R, Ponta Verde beach (Maceió, AL); S, Cabeço da Pequena (Marechal Deodoro, AL); T, 2nd Boião (off SW Maré Isl., BA); U, Ribeira be...
FIGURE 5. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). (A) Preserved material of Prianos grayi Hechtel, 198... more FIGURE 5. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). (A) Preserved material of Prianos grayi Hechtel, 1983; (B) Preserved material of Xestospongia grayi sensu Mothes & Bastian, 1993; Scale bar: 1 cm. In situ images of Brazilian specimens (C–F, Fernando de Noronha; G–H, Alagoas State). Scale bars, (A–B) 1 cm, (C–H) scales not recorded, but fishes seen on figs C, F, H attest to the sponges about 50 cm height.
Sponge-ophiuroid ecological associations, which are important in the dynamics of marine populatio... more Sponge-ophiuroid ecological associations, which are important in the dynamics of marine populations and communities, have been recorded for a long time. In this study, we report new records of interactions between sponges and ophiuroids, which were obtained by analyzing biological collections, to increase knowledge about the associations between these animals. The study observed 14 interactions between sponges and ophiuroids, eight of which are new to science: Ophiocnida scabriuscula and Agelas sp., Ophiothrix sp. and Monanchora arbuscula, Ophiactis quinqueradia and M. arbuscula, O. quinqueradia and Callyspongia (Cladochalina) aculeata, Ophiactis savignyi and Agelas dispar, O. savignyi and M. arbuscula, O. savignyi and Topsentia ophiraphidites, and O. savignyi and Dysidea etheria. The specimens found were collected in four areas of the northeastern Brazilian coast (tropical southwestern Atlantic), including a conservation area and a mesophotic coral ecosystem. Thus, the continuation of studies and the implementation of conservation strategies for these environments are essential. Finally, the importance of biological collections as a crucial data source for biodiversity studies is reinforced.
The taxonomic study of Great Amazon Reef System sponges yielded three Oceanapia-like (Phloeodicty... more The taxonomic study of Great Amazon Reef System sponges yielded three Oceanapia-like (Phloeodictyidae, Haplosclerida) species of similar gross morphology, two preliminarily identified as O. bartschi and another as Coelocarteria (Poecilosclerida), due to the presence of common palmate isochelae. The remarkable overall similarity of all three species in gross morphology necessitated an integrative assessment of the phylogenetic affinities. A selection of haplosclerid and poecilosclerid sequences (18S and 28S rRNA) was gathered from Genbank and compared to sequences mapped to reference from metagenome of two Oceanapia-like species from the Amazon River mouth, one of which matched O. bartschi. Both Brazilian species clustered with Coelocarteria singaporensis (Singapore). These species nest in the Poecilosclerida, far from Oceanapia (sp. and isodictyiformis) and other haplosclerids (Amphimedon, Petrosia, Siphonodictyon and Xestospongia) but also far from the poecilosclerid Isodictya that...
FIGURE 6. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). Holotype of Prianos grayi (YPM 9008): (A) ectosome i... more FIGURE 6. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). Holotype of Prianos grayi (YPM 9008): (A) ectosome in tangential view; (B) perpendicular section through the choanosome, (G–H) strongyles and details of their extremities. Xestospongia grayi sensu Mothes & Bastian, 1993 (MCN 1327): (C) ectosome in tangential view, (D) perpendicular section throught the choanosome, (I– J) strongyles and details of their extremities. MNRJ 13104: (E) ectosome in tangential view, (F) perpendicular section through the choanosome, (K–L) strongyles and details of their extremities. Scale bars: (A–F) 100 µm, (G, I, K) 50 µm, (H, J, L) 10 µm.
FIGURE 3. Sigmaxinella cearense sp. nov. Holotype (MNRJ 8687), skeletal architecture. A. Choanoso... more FIGURE 3. Sigmaxinella cearense sp. nov. Holotype (MNRJ 8687), skeletal architecture. A. Choanosomal architecture giving rise to unspecialized ectosomal arrangement in a spatuliferous projection. B. Longitudinal section of condensed choanosomal architecture in the peduncle area showing abundant spongin. Scale bars, 500µm.
In the last years, in addition to recording the diversity, the biological collections have also b... more In the last years, in addition to recording the diversity, the biological collections have also been used as repositories for ecological data. In order to contribute to the knowledge of Brazilian biological collections and, consequently, Brazil’s biodiversity, especially marine, the present study brings data from four regional collections (phyla Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, and Echinodermata) of the Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará. The composition and geographic distribution data of each phylum were obtained by analyzing the digital spreadsheets containing the information about the deposited material. Together, the analyzed collections have 1,378 lots, being 303 of Porifera, 131 of Cnidaria, 414 of Bryozoa, and 530 of Echinodermata. Despite their regional nature, the collections of Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa and Echinodermata of the Universidade Federal do Ceará represent, respectively, 6.5%, 6.9%, 10.7%, and 17.5% of the species so far recorded for the Braz...
Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting proces... more Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting processes vital to the maintenance of biodiversity. Here we show the presence and location of extensive reef habitats on the continental shelf between the Amazon Reef System (ARS) and the Eastern Brazilian Reef System (ERS), two reef complexes off eastern South America. Formations located 20–50 m deep include both biogenic and geogenic structures. The presence of diverse reef assemblages suggests the widespread occurrence of rocky substrates below 50 m. These habitats represent an expansion of both the ARS and ERS and the closure of the only remaining large-scale gap (~ 1000 km) among West Atlantic reef environments. This indicates that the SW Atlantic harbors a single, yet heterogeneous, reef system that stretches for about 4000 km, and thus, represents one of the largest semi-continuous tropical marine ecosystems in the world.
Despite its 2000 km long shoreline, to date less than 50 sponge species have been reported from t... more Despite its 2000 km long shoreline, to date less than 50 sponge species have been reported from the entire Peruvian coast. A large collecting effort targeting marine sponges was undertaken between 2007 and 2009, yielding a comprehensive collection of nearly 900 samples, whose taxonomic study is underway. Three new species of Hymedesmiidae are presently described from the Peruvian coast, all belonging in Hymedesmia (Hymedesmia), one of which also found in Chile. Hymedesmia (H.) santarositae sp. nov., from Isla Santa Rosa (Paracas), is characterized by the presence of microstrongyles next to sigmas. Hymedesmia (H.) peruana sp. nov., from Isla Foca (Piura), is diagnosed by its three categories of acanthostyles, and single categories of tornotes and arcuate isochelae. Hymedesmia (H.) humboldti sp. nov., from Moquega and Arequipa regions in Peru, and Antofagasta and Atacama regions in Chile, is diagnosed by its two categories of acanthostyles, and single categories of (aniso)strongyles ...
<i>Neopetrosia</i> aff. <i>carbonaria</i> (Lamarck, 1814) <i>Neopet... more <i>Neopetrosia</i> aff. <i>carbonaria</i> (Lamarck, 1814) <i>Neopetrosia carbonaria</i> (Lamarck, 1814): Muricy <i>et al</i>. 2011: 106 (in part, only Brazilian records). <b>Studied material (14 specimens):</b> Brazil, Ceará State, MNRJ 17400, Acaraizinho de Amontada, intertidal, Col. R. Farias and K. Santiago Santiago, 2013.11; Trairí City: Mundaú beach (3.17418º S, 39.35723º W): MNRJ 17866, 1 m depth, Col. M. S. Carvalho, 2014.3.29; MNRJ 17741, 1 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2014.3.29; MNRJ 17766, 1 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2014.3.31; MNRJ 17777, 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2014.3.29; MNRJ 17832, 1 m depth, Col. S. Salani, 2014.3.29; Flecheiras Beach (3.21858º S, 39.26344º W): MNRJ 17782, 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2014.3.30; MNRJ 17783, 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2014.3.30; MNRJ 17840, 1 m depth, Col. S. Salani, 2014.3.30; MNRJ 17887, 1 m depth, Col. M. S.Carvalho, 2014.3.30. Rio Grande do Norte State, MNRJ 18033, Parrachos de Maracajaú, Maxaranguape City (5.40114º S, 35.29677º W), depth not record, Col. S. Salani, 2014.4.6. Alagoas State, Maceió City: Ponta Verde Beach (9.65000º S, 35.68333º W): MNRJ 4713, 0.5–1 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2001.9.3; Recife Ponta do Meirim (9.70000º S, 35.76667º W): MNRJ 17035, 0.5–1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2012.1.10. Bahia State: MNRJ 18690, Abrolhos Bank, Pedra de Leste, 3 m depth, Col. F. Moraes, 2014.6.30. <b>Comparative material.</b> <i>Spongia carbonaria</i> Lamarck, 1814, Holotype MNHN-LBIM-DT 545, Schizotype MNRJ 21834. <i>Adocia carbonaria</i>, Hechtel (1976), YPM IZ 008960, Pernambuco State (Recife), digitized images of dissociated spicules and thick anatomical sections. <b>Remarks.</b> We found toxas in many Brazilian specimens studied (MNRJ 4713, 9405, 17034, 17400), hitherto unreported for the species, and seemingly absent from the holotype reexamined here. These toxas can be quite rare, and occur in both black or brown sponges. We consider Brazilian <i>N. carbonaria</i> -like sponges as likely belonging to a new species under description by Santos <i>et al.</i> (in prep., pers [...]
<i>Xestospongia dorigo</i> sp. nov. (Fig. 1, 7; Tab. 7) <b>Holotype.</b> ... more <i>Xestospongia dorigo</i> sp. nov. (Fig. 1, 7; Tab. 7) <b>Holotype.</b> Brazil, Alagoas State, MNRJ 15405, Francês Beach (9.76725º S, 35.83610º W, Marechal Deodoro), 2.9 m depth, Col. E. Hajdu, 2011.9.15. <b>Paratypes (two specimens).</b> Ceará State, MNRJ 20131, Boi Choco Beach (03.68753º S, 38.61034º W, Dois Coqueiros, Caucaia), 1 m depth, Col. A. Bispo &amp; S. Salani, 2016.4.11. Alagoas State (type locality), MNRJ 21029, 2– 4 m depth, Col. A. Bispo, 2016.12.19. <b>Diagnosis.</b> This is the only Tropical Western Atlantic <i>Xestospongia</i> with a cushion-shape, no projections, with relatively small oscula (2–3 mm diam.), and white to beige colour <i>in vivo</i>. Megascleres are oxeas with acerate, hastate and mucronate ends, 300–450/ 5–15 µm. <b>External morphology.</b> Cushion-shaped, up to 12 cm in diameter (Fig. 7A–B). Surface smooth to the naked eye, irregular, without any marked projections, but rough to the touch. Rare, circular oscules (2–3 mm diam.). Consistency firm, slightly compressible, and fragile. Colour <i>in vivo</i> light yellowish-white (holotype), light grayish-brown (MNRJ 20131), or light yellowish-beige (MNRJ 21029), becoming a light shade of gray or beige after fixation. <b>Skeleton.</b> Ectosomal, an isodyctial, isotropic reticulation (Fig. 7C) with uni- to paucispicular tracts (up to 63 µm thick), forming (sub)triangular meshes (65–195 µm wide). Choanosomal, similar, but denser than the ectosomal, tracts 30–90 µm thick, meshes 110–230 µm wide (Fig. 7D); aquiferous canals seen here and there (520–1,775 µm wide). <b>Spicules.</b> Oxeas in a single size class, smooth, slightly curved, with hastate, acerate and mucronate edges: 294–369 (22)–445/ 5–10 (2)– 15 µm (Fig.7E–F; Tab.7). <b>Ecology.</b> The species occurs in association with other sponge species, tunicates, ophiuroids and mollusks, between 1 and 4 m depth. <b>Etymology.</b> The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition, and honors Prof. Dr. Monica Dorigo Correia, prematurely deceased, a long-time collaborator and friend o [...]
<i>Hemimycale oxeata</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 3; TAbLES 1, 3) Synonymy: <i>Hemi... more <i>Hemimycale oxeata</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 3; TAbLES 1, 3) Synonymy: <i>Hemimycale</i> Sp., Muricy <i>et al.</i>, 1991: 5. <b>Diagnosis.</b> ThIS IS ThE ONLY SPEcIES IN ThE gENUS wITh OXEOTE LIkE TORNOTE mEgAScLERES IN AddITION TO ThE TYPIcAL (SUbTYLO-)STRONgYLES. MIcROScLERES AbSENT. <b>Material examined. Holotype</b> MNRJ 21302, GURIRI ISLET (23° 10' 24.21"S, 44° 05' 32.54"W), OFF ILhA GRANdE, ANgRA dOS REIS, SOUThERN RIO dE JANEIRO STATE, 10 m dEPTh, cOLL. E. L. ESTEVES, APRIL 5, 2013; SLIdES OF cROSS SEcTIONS ANd dISSOcIATEd SPIcULES FROm ThE hOLOTYPE ARE dEPOSITEd UNdER UERJPOR 85. <b>Paratypes</b>: MNRJ 276, ITAçUcê ISLET (23° 49' 54.06"S, 45° 26' 36.04"W, BAREqUEçAbA bEAch), SãO SEbASTIãO, SãO PAULO STATE, 6 m dEPTh, cOLL. E. HAjdU, JANUARY 23, 1996; MNRJ 3989, FORNO hARbOUR (22° 58' 12"S, 42° 00' 36" W), ARRAIAL dO CAbO, RIO dE JANEIRO STATE, 4‒8 m dEPTh, cOLLS. E. HAjdU &amp; E. VILLANOVA, APRIL 11, 2001; MNRJ 14651, ARVOREdO ISLANd (27° 17' 00"S, 48° 22' 00"W), OFF BOmbINhAS, SANTA CATARINA, 15 m dEPTh, cOLL. C. PAScELLI, JANUARY 29, 2013; MNRJ 15582, ALcATRAzES ARchIPELAgO (24° 06.333'S, 45° 42.127'W), OFF SãO SEbASTIãO, SãO PAULO STATE, 8.5 m dEPTh, cOLL. S. SALANI &amp; E. HAjdU, JULY 28, 2012; MNRJ 15590, ALcATRAzES ARchIPELAgO (24° 05' 44.6"S, 45° 41' 32.4"W), OFF SãO SEbASTIãO, SãO PAULO STATE, 10.4 m dEPTh, cOLLS. S. SALANI &amp; E. HAjdU, JULY 29, 2012; UERJPOR 105 ANd 110 (SAmE dATA AS FOR ThE hOLOTYPE). <b>Etymology.</b> ThE NAmE " <i>oxeata</i> " IS A REmINdER OF ThE PRESENcE OF OXEAS IN ThE NEw SPEcIES. <b>Description.</b> ThINLY TO ThIckLY ENcRUSTINg (4.5‒8.7 cm wIdE, 0.8‒3.0 mm ThIck). ORANgE cOLOR IN LIFE, EXTERNALLY ANd INTERNALLY, ANd bEIgE AFTER FIXATION IN EThANOL. EcTOSOmE LIghTER cOLOREd ThAN ThE chOANOSOmE. OScULES cIRcULAR, wITh A PRONOUNcEd PERIOScULAR mEmbRANE (1.2‒3.7 mm wIdE). SUbdERmAL chANNELS cONSPIcUOUS (0.2‒0.7 mm wIdE), cONFLUENT TO OScULES. AREOLATEd PORE SIEVES cIRcULAR TO IRREgULAR, LARgE (1.6‒12 mm wIdE), wITh A SLIghTLY ELEVATEd RIm (1 mm hIgh), cONSPIcUOUS ANd c [...]
Genus <i>Hemimycale</i> Burton, 1934 <b>Definition.</b> HYmEdESmIIdAE wIT... more Genus <i>Hemimycale</i> Burton, 1934 <b>Definition.</b> HYmEdESmIIdAE wIThOUT AcANThOSTYLES ANd mIcROScLERES OThER ThAN RAPhIdES. MEgAScLERES STRONgYLES, OXEAS ANd STYLES. STYLES ANd STRONgYLES NOT dIVISIbLE INTO EcTOSOmAL OR chOANOSOmAL SPIcULES. OXEAS whEN PRESENT ARE IN ThE chOANOSOmE ONLY (AmENdEd FROm VAN SOEST, 2002A: 578‒580). TYPE SPEcIES: <i>Desmacidon columella</i> BOwERbANk, 1874 (bY ORIgINAL dESIgNATION). TYPE LOcALITY: EXmOUTh, ENgLANd (IN TIdAL POOLS). <b>Remarks.</b> ThE dEFINITION OF <i>Hemimycale</i> wAS SLIghTLY AmENdEd FOR ThE INcLUSION OF <i>H. oxeata</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> wITh OXEOTE LIkE TORNOTE SPIcULES, ANd <i>H. ceadensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, wITh RAPhIdES. PULITzER-FINALI (1977) mENTIONEd ThE OccURENcE OF SPEcImENS OF <i>H. columella</i> IN PANAREA (ITALY, MEdITERRANEAN SEA) wITh STYLES AS ThE ONLY mEgAScLERES. HOwEVER, hE hAS PRObAbLY mISTA...
Key for the identification of <i>Hemimycale</i> species 1 Megascleres are (subtylo-)s... more Key for the identification of <i>Hemimycale</i> species 1 Megascleres are (subtylo-)strongyles and oxeote like tornotes; without raphides...................... <i>H. oxeata</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> - Megascleres are strongyles varying to anisostrongyles, subtylostrongyles or styles. No oxeas. Raphides may be present..... 2 2 Styles occasionally present.............................................................................. 3 - Styles never present.................................................................................... 4 3 Color in life bright red, pink or pale orange; choanosomal skeleton plumose; megascleres are (aniso-)strongyles larger than 300 x 5 µm, and styles with almost the same dimensions as the strongyles................................ <i>H. columella</i> - Color in life dark greenish blue; choanosomal skeleton plumose or plumoreticulate; megascleres are (aniso-)strongyles smaller than 300 x 5 µm, and relatively...
<i>Hemimycale ceadensis</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 4; TAbLES 2, 3) <b>Material ex... more <i>Hemimycale ceadensis</i> sp. nov. (FIgURES 2, 4; TAbLES 2, 3) <b>Material examined. Holotype</b> MNRJ 21303, JORgE GREgO ISLANd (23° 13' 15.03"S, 44° 09' 14.88"W), OFF ILhA GRANdE, ANgRA dOS REIS, RIO dE JANEIRO STATE, 12 m dEPTh, cOLL. E.L. ESTEVES, SEPTEmbER 11, 2013. SLIdES OF cROSS SEcTIONS ANd dISSOcIATEd SPIcULES FROm ThE hOLOTYPE ARE dEPOSITEd UNdER UERJPOR 206. <b>Paratypes</b>: UERJPOR 188 (SAmE dATA AS FOR ThE hOLOTYPE); UERJPOR 203, SAmE LOcALITY, dEPTh ANd dATE OF cOLLEcTION AS FOR ThE hOLOTYPE ANd PARATYPE 188, cOLL. H. FORTUNATO. <b>Etymology.</b> ThE NEw SPEcIES wAS NAmEd " <i>ceadensis</i> " IN REcOgNITION OF ThE hISTORIcAL ANd ScIENTIFIc VALUE OF ThE CENTER FOR ENVIRONmENTAL STUdIES ANd SUSTAINAbLE DEVELOPmENT (CEADS / UERJ), AS A cENTER FOR ThE dEVELOPmENT OF RESEARch ANd EdUcATIONAL AcTIVITIES cONdUcTEd AT ILhA GRANdE, RIO dE JANEIRO STATE. <b>……</b> <i>continued on the next page</i> <b>TABLE ³.</b> (Continue&amp;dstrok;) <b>Species Locality Reference External morphology Internal anatomy Spicules</b> <i>H. columella</i> Spain, Northwestern Uriz <i>et al.,</i> 2017 Encrusting to massive. Circular pore Plumose skeleton of anisostrongyles Anisotrongyles (Bowerbank, Me&amp;dstrok;iterranean, (27 1 29 m sieves (~6/ ~3). Color pinkish-orange (302 1 435/ 3 1 4). 1874) &amp;dstrok;epth). to white externally, &amp;dstrok;ark orange Styles rare or completely internally absent Marseille an&amp;dstrok; Roscoff, Vacelet <i>et al</i>., 1987 Encrusting, somewhat massive. _ Strongyles France. Creamy pink or brownish (220 1 470/ 2 1 6) Few styles present. Italy (Tyrrhenian an&amp;dstrok; Ionian Pulitzer-Finali, 1977 Encrusting to massive. Color orange in _ Strongyles varying to Seas, 8 1 60 m &amp;dstrok;epth) life an&amp;dstrok; pale brown after fixation anisostrongyles or subtylostrongyles (260 1 453/ 3 1 6) Panarea, Italy (1 1 2 m Pulitzer-Finali, _ _ Styles (270 1 380/ 3 1 5) &amp;dstrok;epth) 1977* * Possibly a recor&amp;dstrok; of <i>Crambe crambe</i> (Schmi&amp;dstrok;t, 1862). <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>He [...]
<i>Neopetrosia sulcata</i> Santos, Sandes, Cabral &amp; Pinheiro, 2016 <b>H... more <i>Neopetrosia sulcata</i> Santos, Sandes, Cabral &amp; Pinheiro, 2016 <b>Holotype</b> (not examined). Brazil, Rio Grande do Norte State, UFPEPOR 17, Potiguar Basin (4.62547º S, 36.76686º W), 70–101 m depth, leg. Petrobras, 2003.5.4. <b>Diagnosis.</b> Irregularly cylindrical fragments. Surface punctiform or furrowed, rugose to the touch, with scattered circular oscules (1.5–10 mm diam.), always flush with the surface. Consistency hard, slightly brittle. Ectosome formed by tangential multispicular tracts (50–250 μm diam.), with rounded meshes (150–300 μm diam.), and the apical brushes of oxeas from longitudinal choanosomal spicule tracts. Choanosomal skeleton isotropic, with a superimposed anisotropic orientation of multispicular tracts and single spicules strewn in confusion. Oxeas smooth, relatively robust, usually curved, with fairly high percentage of variations at the ends (mucronate, stepped, hastate, asymmetrical, or blunt), 119–193 x 2.8– 9.6 μm [adapted from Santos <i>et al.</i> 2016]. <b>Description.</b> Refer to Santos <i>et al</i>. (2016). <b>Distribution.</b> Tropical Atlantic. Brazil: Maranhão State (Campos <i>et al.</i> 2005, as <i>N. proxima</i>); Potiguar Basin, Rio Grande do Norte State (Santos <i>et al.</i> 2016).
FIGURE 1 A, off Amapá State - NHo 'Cruzeiro do Sul (AP); B, N.O.A.S. Station 1773A (Amazon Ri... more FIGURE 1 A, off Amapá State - NHo 'Cruzeiro do Sul (AP); B, N.O.A.S. Station 1773A (Amazon River mouth, AP); C, R/V 'Atlantis' AMZ–4 Stn. (Amazon River mouth, PA); D, R/V 'Victor Hensen' Stn. 47 (off São Luis, MA); E, Acaraizinho de Amontada (CE); F, Flecheiras beach (Trairi, CE); G, Dois Coqueiros beach (Caucaia, CE); H, Maracajaú (Maxaranguape, RN); I, Deep Fenda crevice (Atoll das Rocas, RN); J, Salãozinho tide pool (Atoll das Rocas, RN); K, dos Mapas tide pool (Atoll das Rocas, RN); L, Rata Isl. (Cagarras Rasas and Cagarras Fundas, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); M, Buraco da Raquel (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); N, Lage Dois Irmãos (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); O, Cordilheira (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); P, Ponta das Caracas (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PE); Q, Recife Biquara (Tamandaré, PE); R, Ponta Verde beach (Maceió, AL); S, Cabeço da Pequena (Marechal Deodoro, AL); T, 2nd Boião (off SW Maré Isl., BA); U, Ribeira be...
FIGURE 5. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). (A) Preserved material of Prianos grayi Hechtel, 198... more FIGURE 5. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). (A) Preserved material of Prianos grayi Hechtel, 1983; (B) Preserved material of Xestospongia grayi sensu Mothes & Bastian, 1993; Scale bar: 1 cm. In situ images of Brazilian specimens (C–F, Fernando de Noronha; G–H, Alagoas State). Scale bars, (A–B) 1 cm, (C–H) scales not recorded, but fishes seen on figs C, F, H attest to the sponges about 50 cm height.
No verão, a proporção de pessoas aumenta no mínimo cinco vezes, juntamente com a produção de lixo... more No verão, a proporção de pessoas aumenta no mínimo cinco vezes, juntamente com a produção de lixo. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se conhecer os frequentadores da praia Central, entender a relação pessoa-lixo, e saber a opinião deles em relação as ações da prefeitura pertinentes à limpeza da área. Para realizar estes objetivos, foi criado um questionário e aplicado na praia Central de Balneário Camboriú, e online através da plataforma Google Docs entre janeiro a maio de 2018. O frequentador (n=215) é jovem, com consciência sobre o seu papel na geração de resíduos sólidos e qual o destino que deve ser dado a ele, porém reclamam da quantidade de lixo encontrada, e para a maioria, a prefeitura está realizando um bom trabalho, apesar de sentirem falta de um trabalho de educação ambiental. Estes resultados poderão ser usados para aperfeiçoar serviços relacionados à limpeza e manutenção da praia.
Brazilian Marine Animal Forests: A New World to Discover in the Southwestern Atlantic, 2016
The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean is the fi nal Brazilian maritime frontier. The Brazilian authoriti... more The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean is the fi nal Brazilian maritime frontier. The Brazilian authorities refer to this marine area as the “ Blue Amazon, ” being rich in biodiversity and ecosystem services and similar in extension to the country ’ s rainforest. This area is possibly one of the most important benthic biodiversity hotspots in the world; however, there is a lack of scienti fi c knowledge about its marine biodiversity. Interestingly, these benthic communities generate three-dimensional structures along the Brazilian coast, similar to the trees in the Amazon rainforest. The Brazilian marine animal forests (BRAF) in the “ Blue Amazon ” can be compared to their rainforest counterpart: an ecosystem with high diversity but relatively unknown. This chapter presents a review of the environmental characteristics and benthic habitats along the tropical coast of Brazil (coral reefs, intertidal sandstone reefs, benthic communities in rocky shores, continental shelf communities, oceanic islands, etc.). Furthermore, it presents synthetic information regarding the ecology and diversity of the benthic suspension feeders (sponges, scleractinian corals, octocorals, zoanthids, mollusks, ascidians, and bryozoans) in Southwestern Atlantic. Major knowledge gaps remain the baseline research on benthic communities in mesophotic and deep-sea reef ecosystems in this marine region. Finally, this chapter reviews the major anthropogenic threats (urbanization, aquaculture, invasive species, mining, climate change, and petroleum and gas exploration) and makes recommendations for further research and conservation programs.
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Papers by Sula salani
sponges and ophiuroids, which were obtained by analyzing biological collections, to increase knowledge about the associations between these animals. The study observed 14 interactions between sponges and ophiuroids,
eight of which are new to science: Ophiocnida scabriuscula and Agelas sp., Ophiothrix sp. and Monanchora
arbuscula, Ophiactis quinqueradia and M. arbuscula, O. quinqueradia and Callyspongia (Cladochalina) aculeata,
Ophiactis savignyi and Agelas dispar, O. savignyi and M. arbuscula, O. savignyi and Topsentia ophiraphidites, and
O. savignyi and Dysidea etheria. The specimens found were collected in four areas of the northeastern Brazilian
coast (tropical southwestern Atlantic), including a conservation area and a mesophotic coral ecosystem. Thus, the
continuation of studies and the implementation of conservation strategies for these environments are essential.
Finally, the importance of biological collections as a crucial data source for biodiversity studies is reinforced.
sponges and ophiuroids, which were obtained by analyzing biological collections, to increase knowledge about the associations between these animals. The study observed 14 interactions between sponges and ophiuroids,
eight of which are new to science: Ophiocnida scabriuscula and Agelas sp., Ophiothrix sp. and Monanchora
arbuscula, Ophiactis quinqueradia and M. arbuscula, O. quinqueradia and Callyspongia (Cladochalina) aculeata,
Ophiactis savignyi and Agelas dispar, O. savignyi and M. arbuscula, O. savignyi and Topsentia ophiraphidites, and
O. savignyi and Dysidea etheria. The specimens found were collected in four areas of the northeastern Brazilian
coast (tropical southwestern Atlantic), including a conservation area and a mesophotic coral ecosystem. Thus, the
continuation of studies and the implementation of conservation strategies for these environments are essential.
Finally, the importance of biological collections as a crucial data source for biodiversity studies is reinforced.
pessoa-lixo, e saber a opinião deles em relação as ações da prefeitura pertinentes à limpeza da área. Para realizar estes objetivos, foi criado um questionário e aplicado na praia Central de Balneário Camboriú, e online através da plataforma Google Docs entre janeiro a maio de 2018. O frequentador (n=215) é jovem, com consciência sobre o seu papel na geração de resíduos sólidos e qual o destino que deve ser dado a ele, porém reclamam da quantidade de lixo encontrada, e para a maioria, a prefeitura está realizando um bom trabalho, apesar de sentirem falta de um trabalho de educação ambiental. Estes resultados poderão ser usados para aperfeiçoar serviços relacionados à limpeza e manutenção da praia.
Amazon rainforest. The Brazilian marine animal forests (BRAF) in the “ Blue Amazon ” can be compared to their rainforest counterpart: an ecosystem with high diversity but relatively unknown. This chapter presents a review of the environmental characteristics and benthic habitats along the tropical coast of Brazil (coral reefs, intertidal sandstone reefs, benthic communities in rocky shores, continental
shelf communities, oceanic islands, etc.). Furthermore, it presents synthetic information regarding the ecology and diversity of the benthic suspension feeders (sponges, scleractinian corals, octocorals, zoanthids, mollusks, ascidians, and bryozoans) in Southwestern Atlantic. Major knowledge gaps remain the baseline research on benthic communities in mesophotic and deep-sea reef ecosystems in this marine region. Finally, this chapter reviews the major anthropogenic threats (urbanization, aquaculture, invasive species, mining, climate change, and petroleum and gas exploration) and makes recommendations for further research and conservation programs.