Anne Isabelley Gondim

Echinodermata da Praia do Cabo Branco, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil

The present study examined the fauna of echinoderms at Cabo Branco Beach, Joao Pessoa, state of Paraiba, Brazil. The beach was formed by the erosion of a sandstone terrace. Thirty two species from four echinoderm classes (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea and Holothuroidea) distributed among 18 families and 24 genera were identified. The number of identified taxons corresponds to 9.7% of the total number of species registered for the entire Brazilian coast, and demonstrates the significant diversity of echinoderm species in this area. Class Ophiuroidea was the most diverse, with 13 species, followed by Holothuroidea (10 spp.), Asteroidea (5 spp.) and Echinoidea (4 spp.). Among the recorded species, the following were new occurrences for the state of Paraiba: Ophiocnida scabriuscula, Ophiomyxa flaccida, Ophiactis lymani, Ophionereis reticulata, Ophioderma januarii, Ophiophragmus brachyatis, Thyone cognita, T. suspecta, Ocnus suspectus, Phyllophorus occidentalis, P. communis, Lissothuria sp., Holothuria grisea, Holothuria arenicola, Chiridota rotifera, Synaptula hydriformis, Echinaster nudus, Linckia guildingii, Lytechinus variegatus, Mellita quinquiesperforata and Leodia sexiesperforata.

Bleaching in scleractinians, hydrocorals, and octocorals during thermal stress in a northeastern Brazilian reef

Occurrence of bleaching in scleractinian corals, a hydrocoral, and an octocoral species was observed in a reef community of Paraíba coast, northeastern Brazil, during an unusual thermal stress that occurred in March 2010. Four scleractinian species (Siderastrea stellata, Porites astreoides, Agaricia agaricites, and Mussismilia harttii) and one hydrocoral (Millepora alcicornis) were affected. Some bleached colonies of the gorgonian Plexaurella grandiflora were clearly dead. Other scleractinian and octocoral species in the area did not bleach, suggesting that susceptibility to bleaching differs among species. Four years after the bleaching event, most of the affected colonies had survived, while many diseased ones showed macroalgal overgrowth. A monitoring programme is needed to document and understand the short- and long-term effects of future bleaching on the endemic Brazilian coral fauna.

A taxonomic guide to the brittle-stars (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from the State of Paraíba continental shelf, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract We provide the first annotated checklist of ophiuroids from the continental shelf of the State of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Identification keys and taxonomic diagnoses for 23 species, belonging to 14 genera and 8 families, are provided. The material is deposited in the Invertebrate Collection Paulo Young, at the Federal University of Paraíba. Ophiopsila hartmeyeri represents the first record for the northeastern region of Brazil, while Ophiolepis impressa, Ophiolepis paucispina, Amphiura stimpsoni, Amphiodia riisei, Ophiactis quinqueradia, Ophiocoma wendtii and Ophionereis olivaceae are new records for the State of Paraíba. The number of species known for the state was increased from 16 to 23, representing approximately 17% of the species known for Brazil and 54% of the species known for northeastern Brazil. The recorded fauna has a large geographical and bathymetrical distribution.

Isognomon bicolor (C. B. Adams, 1845) (Mollusca: Bivalvia): first record of this invasive species for the States of Paraíba and Alagoas and new records for other localities of Northeastern Brazil

This study provides the first record of the exotic invasive bivalve Isognomon bicolor for the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. It has been found to occur in at least twelve coastal reefs along the coast. We also present its first record for the State of Alagoas and new record localities for the States of Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco, including its occurrence in hypersaline estuaries. From these records the distribution range of I. bicolor has been expanded to the littoral region of Northeast Brazil, where this invasive species seems well established.

Updated morphological description of Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) annulata (Euryalida: Gorgonocephalidae) from the Brazilian coast, with notes on the geographic distribution of the subgenus

This study provides an updated morphological description of Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) annulata based on one specimen from the northeastern coast of Brazil, thus validating the previously uncertain occurrence of this species there. We also provide notes on the known geographic distribution of the subgenus Asteroporpa (Asteroporpa) and comments on ecological aspects of this taxon. Given our limited knowledge of the Euryalida fauna along the Brazilian coast, these new records are important for understanding the distribution, dispersal and speciation patterns of this group. The number of Euryalida reported for the Brazilian coast is increased to eight with this record.

Redescription of Hemieuryale pustulata von Martens, 1867 (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) based on Brazilian specimens, with notes on systematics and habitat association

We redescribe Hemieuryale pustulata on the basis of 325 specimens obtained from the continental shelf off northeastern and southeastern Brazil. This is the first record of the species for Brazil. We illustrate for the first time details of the dental plate, oral plate, and vertebrae. Few morphological variations were observed in our extensive material. All specimens were associated with the gorgonian Nicella guadalupensis, suggesting an obligatory association in the Brazilian littoral. H. pustulata did not reveal a particular pattern of distribution on its host gorgonian, but larger gorgonians tend to support a larger number of ophiuroids. In addition to expanding the knowledge on morphology and ecology, we extend the known bathymetric distribution of the species, which is now known from 18 to 330 m.

Hypersaline mangroves harbor a high density of Brazilian endangered sea stars (Echinaster spp.)

SeastarsofthegenusEchinaster arecommoninreefhabitats along the whole Brazilian coastline, being alsorarely found in estuarine environments. Because of theirintensive exploitation for ornamental purposes, magical-religious rituals, and medical applications (Alves andDias 2010), they are threatened in Brazil (CategoryVulnerable). During an ongoing study in the hypersalineCasqueira River Estuary (State of Rio Grande do Norte,NE Brazil: 5°06′20″S, 36°32′01″W; salinity range: 38 to50), a high density of Echinaster (Othilia) brasiliensisand E. (O.) echinophorus (Fig. 1a) was observed. With-in an area of 480 m

Filling a Knowledge Gap on the Biodiversity of Rhodolith-Associated Echinodermata from Northeastern Brazil

Rhodolith beds formed by non-articulated calcareous algae have been recognized as important habitats for a range of organisms. The Brazilian coast is home to one of the largest beds of the Southwestern Atlantic, but the lack of faunal studies in these habitats represents one of our major gaps in the knowledge of Brazilian biodiversity. This study compares the composition, abundance and diversity of echinoderm species associated with rhodoliths in three different isobaths (10, 15 and 20 m) along the coast of the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. These rhodolith beds provided 2,855 specimens, representing 32 species from four Classes, of which Ophiuroidea was the most numerous. The echinoderm community was significantly different considering the abundance of individuals (F=452.86, p=0.001) and the number of species (F=45.14, p=0.006) among the three depths analyzed. Abundance and species numbers decrease with increasing depth. Rhodolith beds in the State of Paraíba are an important habitat for echinoderms, harboring a high diversity and abundance of associated species. Richness and diversity records exceed those found in other coastal areas around the world, indicating that these banks are of special relevance for the conservation of echinoderms in Brazil.

Annotated checklist of Echinoderms from Maranhão and Piauí States, Northeastern Brazil

The present study provides the first checklist of echinoderm species that occurs in the States of Maranhao and Piaui, in Northeastern Brazil. The present compilation was produced based on an extensive bibliographical revision and on echinoderms deposited in the Invertebrate Collection Paulo Young, Federal University of Paraiba. Twenty-two species were listed, distributed into the classes Asteroidea (2 spp.), Ophiuroidea (16 spp.), Echinoidea (2 spp.), and Holothuroidea (2 spp.). The registered echinoderm diversity adds significantly to our faunistic knowledge, considering that no previous systematic compilation of echinoderms exists for this region.

Taxonomic guide and historical review of starfishes in northeastern Brazil (Echinodermata, Asteroidea)

Abstract Presently more than 1900 species of sea stars are recognized, of which 77 are recorded for the coast of Brazil. Although the first starfish record in Brazil was published 363 years ago, our knowledge of this fauna remains unsatisfactory from a systematic and ecological point of view, particularly in the north and northeastern regions of the country. This study provides the first annotated list of sea stars from northeastern Brazil. Material described herein is housed at the collections of the Federal University of Paraíba, Federal University of Sergipe, and the Federal University of Bahia, Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo and Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro. Twenty-one species were identified, belonging to 12 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders. Descriptions of species are provided. Three new occurrences were recorded for northeast Brazil: Astropecten alligator, Luidia ludwigi scotti, and Mithrodia clavigera. Highest diversities of Asteroidea were encountered for the states of Bahia (n = 14 spp), Paraíba (n = 12 spp) and Pernambuco (n = 9 spp). No species were recorded for the states of Maranhão and Sergipe. Sandy substrates and depths below 10 m were the least sampled areas over the continental shelf. Herein we provide a first panorama on the fauna of Asteroidea occurring in the northeast region of Brazil, hopefully to function as a basic reference for biodiversity studies in this poorly studied area.