Fernanda Duarte Amaral

Annual cycle of symbiotic dinoflagellates from three species of scleractinian corals from coastal reefs of northeastern Brazil

Predictable seasonal variation in densities of symbiotic dinoflagellates residing in scleractinian corals appears to be a characteristic of reef corals worldwide (Stimson 1997; Brown et al. 1999; Fagoonee et al. 1999; Fitt et al. 2000). Available light and temperature are thought to have a major influence on this variation (Brown et al. 2000; Warner et al. 2002), although the availability of dissolved nutrients in ocean waters may also play a role (Stimson 1997; Fagoonee et al. 1999). Despite their importance to the economy and health of reef ecosystems (Muller-Parker et al. 1988), few studies have focused on the association between symbiotic dinoflagellates and corals in Brazil, where almost half of the scleractinian species are endemic. Brazilian studies have reported on the utility of zooxanthellae for aiding coral taxonomy (Costa and Amaral 2002) and their possible role in coral bleaching (Costa et al. 2001). Nevertheless, the data obtained in Brazil are still insufficient to allow conclusions to be made on possible seasonal variations in the abundance of zooxanthellae and their photosynthetic pigment concentrations in the tissues of particular coral species. In this paper, we address this lack of data by documenting seasonal variation in the densities of zooxanthellae and their photosynthetic pigments from three species of corals endemic to Brazil: Mussismilia hartti, M. hispida, and Siderastrea stellata. Of these species, Mussismilia plays an important role in the construction of Brazilian reefs and in some areas, such as in Abrolhos region (Bahia State), it is the main constituent of reef foundations (Leão et al. 1988). Siderastrea is represented in Brazil solely by S. stellata and while it is one of the most conspicuous species, it is not prominent in the formation of Brazilian reefs.

Sessile and sedentary macrofauna from the Pirapama Shipwreck, Pernambuco, Brazil

Shipwrecks are considered artificial reef environments - structures immersed in aquatic environments (especially marine ones) that provide fauna with shelter, hard substrates, food and nursery areas. This study aimed to survey the benthic animal biodiversity of the Pirapama shipwreck, located 23 m deep and six miles off Recife harbor. From 2001 to 2007, species were observed, photographed and collected through scuba diving. The material was later sorted and identified in the laboratory. A total of 76 sessile and sedentary animal taxa were recorded belonging to the following phyla: Porifera (Demospongiae and Calcarea), Cnidaria (Hydrozoa and Anthozoa), Mollusca (Bivalvia and Gastropoda), Annelida (Polychaeta), Arthropoda (Cirripedia), Bryozoa (Gymnolaemata), Echinodermata (Asteroidea and Echinoidea), and Chordata (Ascidiacea). The greatest richness was for Porifera and Bryozoa - 13 listed species for each. Eleven new occurrences were recorded for the state of Pernambuco, the hydroid Halopteris polymorpha and ten bryozoan species, one of them being the first record for Brazil (Scrupocellaria curacaoensis). The Pirapamas biodiversity was considered typical when compared to other shipwrecks that have been studied around the world.

Corals and calcified hydroids of the Manuel Luiz Marine State Park (State of Maranhão, Northeast Brazil)

Amaral, F.D., Hudson, M.M., Steiner, A.Q. & Ramos, C.A.C. Corals and calcified hydroids of the Manuel Luiz Marine State Park (State of Maranhao, Northeast Brazil). Biota Neotrop. Sep/Dez 2007 vol. 7, no. 3 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/en/abstract?article+bn00907032007. ISSN 1676-0603. This study aimed to collect information on the diversity of corals and calcified hydroids of the Manuel Luiz Marine State Park (state of Maranhao, Northeast Brazil) to aid in the development of a management plan for the park. A total of 21 cnidarian species were identified, of which 16 were corals and calcified hydroids. The bathymetric and geographic distribution of each of these species was extended. This area has a rich coral fauna in relation to other parts of Brazil and is comparable in diversity to the Abrolhos Islands (Bahia State) - an unexpected result considering the regions proximity to the Amazon River Basin. Most of the specimens of corals and calcified hydroids observed were bleached.

Levantamento de registros dos acidentes com cnidários em algumas praias do litoral de Pernambuco (Brasil)

Cnidarians are among the most venomous organisms known to man. They are characterized by stinging cells called cnidocytes, and several species, such as the Portuguese-man-of-war and the jellyfish, can cause harm to human beings. Despite not attracting () much attention on the Brazilian coast, the studies that have been carried out to date show that the occurrence of this kind of accident is significant. The aim of this study was to survey cnidarian related accidents with beach goers on some beaches of the state of Pernambuco, as well as to investigate the knowledge of relevant professions on this theme. () Archives of hospitals and life guard posts were visited for the survey, and 17 professionals were interviewed. During the visits, records were obtained for a total of 35 accidents at Boa Viagem Beach (Recife) over a two-year period, as well as informal records of an average of four to five cases a week at Piedade Beach and an average of two to three cases a week for Pontas de Pedras Beach. As to the knowledge of the professionals interviewed, most answers agree, in general, with the literature available, despite a certain level of inadequate or insufficient information on the theme.

Skeletal variability of the coral Favia gravida (Verrill, 1868) from Brazil

Amaral, F.D. & Ramos, C.A.C. Skeletal variability of the coral Favia gravida (Verrill, 1868) from Brazil. Biota Neotrop. Sep/Dez 2007 vol. 7, no. 3 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/pt/abstract?article+bn04307032007. ISSN 1676-0603. The skeletal variability of the coral Favia gravida, a species endemic to Brazil, was quantitatively described including populations from three locations: Tamandare (state of Pernambuco), Abrolhos (state of Bahia), and Santa Cruz (state of Espirito Santo). Ten colonies were collected from each population and fourteen morphological characters were measured from ten corallites per colony. The results of univariate (among 14 skeletal characters, 7 showed p < 0.05) analysis provide evidence to suggest that F. gravida has considerable morphological plasticity, which may explain its ability to adapt to different ecological conditions. The species also displays polymorphism within and between colonies of each population. Intercolony variation within populations was relevant for most of the variables measured. Canonical discriminant analysis (r = 0.8648) showed that the population farthest offshore (Abrolhos) was distinct from the other two (Tamandare and Santa Cruz), which have been affected by terrigenous sediments carried from the coast. Specimens from Santa Cruz displayed the highest degree of meandrinization.

New records and range extensions of azooxanthellate scleractinians (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazil

Based on specimens deposited in the scientific collections of the Reef Environment Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, National Museum/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and Oceanography Department of the Federal University of Pernambuco, the first occurrences of the azooxanthellate scleractinians Polycyathus senegalensis and Eguchipsammia cornucopia from Brazilian waters are reported. In addition, latitudinal and/or bathymetric range extensions are reported for Caryophyllia ambrosia caribbeana, Caryophyllia antillarum, Premocyathus cornuformis, Deltocyathus calcar, Paracyathus pulchellus, Flabellum apertum, Sphenotrochus auritus, Madracis asperula and Astrangia solitaria .

Zonação de recifes emersos da Área de Proteção Ambiental Costa dos Corais, Nordeste do Brasil

The zoning reef environments allows us to evaluate possible anthropic impacts and to subsidize future management plans. This study aimed to survey the reef-flats benthic species (with special emphasis on cnidarians) in the first line of reefs of the Costa dos Corais, as well as to calculate and compare their percentage cover. Continuous line transects were carried out in six beaches of the area, in three regions of the reef flat and with four replicates for each region. The results showed greatest cover of algae in all of the beaches except for Tamandare, PE. Among the cnidarians, the zoanthids were predominant, but the scleractinian corals Siderastrea stellata and Favia gravida also occurred. Other organisms found were poriferans, the mollusk Brachidontes exustus and the echinoderm Echinometra lucunter. Bleaching was observed in the two species of corals found (in all of the beaches visited) and in the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum. Overall, the organisms recorded were characterized by their resistance to the unstable conditions of the reef-flat. Additionally, the cluster analyses showed that factors such as the nearness to bodies of water and human impact have substantial influence in the reef-flats benthic cover composition, even more than the close distance between some areas.

Variação das Zooxantelas e Branqueamento no Hidróide Calcário Millepora alcicornis Linnaeus, 1758 nos Recifes de Porto de Galinhas - Nordeste Brasileiro

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar o padrao comportamental das zooxantelas associadas ao hidroide calcario Millepora alcicornis dos ambientes recifais da Praia de Porto de Galinhas – PE e determinar o grau de branqueamento sofrido por essa especie e sua possivel relacao com a temperatura. A area estudada, Praia de Porto de Galinhas, Estado de Pernambuco, esta situada entre as coordenadas 08°59’00” a 8°33’33” de latitude S e 35°00’27” a 34°59’00” de longitude W uma das praias mais visitadas do litoral brasileiro, trazendo varias importâncias para a sociedade que dependem direta e indiretamente desse ambiente. Coletas mensais foram realizadas entre setembro de 2010 e setembro de 2011, atraves de mergulhos em apneia. Foram retirados quatro fragmentos por mes, totalizando 52; posteriormente processados e analisados no Laboratorio de Ambientes Recifais (LAR/ UFRPE). A densidade populacional das zooxantelas de M. alcicornis apresentou uma media anual de 1,2 x 106 celulas/ cm2 . O indice mitotico apresentou uma media anual de 6,2% e o diâmetro celular, uma media anual de 11,75 μm. A correlacao entre a densidade populacional e as zooxantelas foi significativamente alta, evidenciando a estreita ligacao entre as variaveis. Alem de perceber a variacao das zooxantelas durante o periodo estudado, foi possivel observar um evento de branqueamento, juntamente com o aparecimento de manchas brancas ocasionadas possivelmente pela doenca White Pox. Palavras chave: Simbiose, Coral-de-fogo, Ambientes recifais.

Ampliação da distribuição das anêmonas-do-mar (Cnidaria, Actiniaria) no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento qualitativo e descrever as especies de anemonas das praias de Boa Viagem, Muro Alto, Carneiros e Forno da Cal, no Estado de Pernambuco. As anemonas foram coletadas, no periodo de 12 de agosto de 2000 a 11 de novembro de 2001, com o auxilio da espatula, ponteira e martelo e foram armazenadas em sacos plasticos com agua do mar, devidamente etiquetados, e levadas ao Laboratorio de Ambientes Recifais (LAR/UFRPE), onde foram anestesiadas com 20 g de cloreto de magnesio diluidos em 500 ml de agua salgada, sendo, posteriormente, fixadas em formol a 10%. Foram analisadas primeiramente a coloracao e as estruturas morfologicas do corpo das anemonas, assim como mensuradas, com o auxilio do paquimetro e da ocular micrometrica, a altura e o diâmetro da coluna, do disco oral e basal e contado o numero total de tentaculos para cada exemplar. Posteriormente, com o estereomicroscopio foram analisados os caracteres anatomicos como: ciclos de mesenterios, pares de diretivos, sifonoglifes, filamentos mesentericos e gonadas, assim como tambem algumas cnidas foram analisadas e identificadas. Foram coletadas e inventariadas ate o momento seis especies: Bunodosoma cangicum Correa,1964 in Belem & Preslercravo, 1973, Anthopleura cascaia Correa,1964 in Dube, 1981, Anthopleura krebsi Duch. & Mich., 1860, Anthopleura sp., Anemonia sp., e Phyllactis flosculifera (Lesueur, 1817), sendo quatro destas relatadas para a Praia de Boa Viagem, tres para a Praia de Muro Alto, tres para a Praia dos Carneiros e tres para a Praia de Forno da Cal. Ainda foram observados na Praia dos Carneiros, exemplares do genero Bellactis e algumas outras Acontiaria, perfazendo um total de sete especies de Actiniaria identificadas. A morfologia, a anatomia e os cnidocistos de cada especie foram comparados com os resultados da literatura. Observou-se uma grande variacao de alguns caracteres morfologicos, tais como a coloracao. Palavras chaves: anemonas-do-mar; morfologia; anatomia; biodiversidade; Boa Viagem; Muro Alto; Carneiros; Forno da Cal