Maria Elisabeth de Araújo

Population characteristics, space use and habitat associations of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Teleostei: Syngnathidae)

This paper provides a case study of a threatened seahorse species, Hippocampus reidi, highlighting the importance of using ecological information to assist conservation and management initiatives. Underwater visual sighting data (50 x 2m transect) gathered along the NE, SE and S portions of the Brazilian coast revealed an unequal distribution across localities, perhaps related to harvesting pressure, and a mean density of 0.026 ind.m-2. Our findings suggest some restricted spatial use by H. reidi, which was consistent with its estimated home range, and with re-sighting of specimens. Reproduction was recorded year-round, however productive peaks may exist. Components of habitat structure mostly used as anchoring points were mangrove plants, macroalgae, cnidarians, seagrass, sponges, and bryozoans. Conservation recommendations include: further characterization and mapping of habitats; assessment of availability and condition of microhabitats in selected areas, and studies on dispersal routes during initial life stages.

Estrutura e organização trófica da ictiofauna de águas rasas em um estuário tropical

The goals of the present study were: 1) to test whether the shallow water ichthyofaunal diversity in the Formoso river (Pernambuco) varies between the upper and lower estuarine zones and between the dry and rainy season; and 2) to assess spatial and temporal shifts in their trophic categories. The fishes were collected bimonthly using beach seine. A total of 5,475 individuals were analyzed, belonging to 78 species, of which 51.3% were of reef origin. Carangidae and Gerreidae had the highest diversity, whereas Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Gerreidae were the most abundant. Among the dominant species (89%), Rhinosardinia amazonica was particularly common (36%). Most of the species were predators (75%), including species with carnivorous feeding habits of the 2nd order (37.5%). The only statistically significant difference in diversity occurred between the lower and upper estuarine zones, being higher in the former. This is probably due to the higher morphological complexity, to the larger proportion of Rhizophora mangle (shelter and refuge for several fishes), and to the mud sediment that makes this a more productive area. The Trophic Contribution Factor (FCT) for the debris was higher in the upper estuarine zone, where there is a higher rate of silt and clay. This TCF for primary production was higher in the middle estuarine zone, where there is higher phytoplankton biomass. Most species were in the young ecophase, corroborating the importance of shallow waters in this tropical estuary as a natural nursery and shelter for several fish of ecological and economical importance.

Comparative analysis of tidepool fish species composition on tropical coastal rocky reefs at State of Ceará, Brazil

This study compared tidepool fish assemblages within and among habitats at Iparana and Pecem beaches, State of Ceara, Northeast Brazil, using visual census techniques. A total of 8,914 fishes, representing 25 families and 43 species were recorded. The most abundant taxon was Sparisoma spp, followed by Haemulon parra (Desmarest, 1823), Acanthurus chirurgus (Bloch, 1787) and Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Haemulidae was the most abundant family in number of individuals, followed by Scaridae, Acanthuridae and Pomacentridae. Within- and between- site differences in species assemblages probably reflected environmental discontinuities and more localized features, such as pool isolation episodes, or environmental complexity, both acting isolated or interactively. The locality of Iparana was probably subjected to a greater fishing pressure and tourism than Pecem, a potential cause for the observed lowest fish abundance and biodiversity. We conclude that tidepool ichthyofauna may be quite variable between and within reef sites. Thus, observations taken from or damages caused on one area may not be generalized to or mitigated by the protection of adjacent sites.

Diversity of cetaceans as tool in monitoring environmental impacts of seismic surveys

Tem sido constante o surgimento de novas informacoes sobre o efeito das sismicas maritimas em cetaceos, demonstrando uma crescente preocupacao com essa atividade. Os efeitos da atividade incluem respostas comportamentais e mudancas nos padroes de vocalizacao, alteracoes nas rotas migratorias, danos no sistema auditivo e aumento dos encalhes. Embora todos esses efeitos possam afetar a diversidade de especies nas areas de realizacao de sismicas maritimas, nao existem informacoes academicas nesse sentido. Este estudo buscou verificar as relacoes entre as sismicas maritimas, dados oceanograficos e a diversidade de cetaceos registrados no Brasil apos a intensificacao das operacoes a partir de 1999 ate o ano 2004. Foram utilizados dados de observacoes de cetaceos realizadas durante as sismicas maritimas e complementadas por relatorios de progresso do Brasil enviados para a Comissao Internacional Baleeira, dados oceanograficos disponibilizados pelo projeto Pilot Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA) e informacoes de sismicas maritimas arquivadas no Escritorio de Licenciamento de Petroleo e Nuclear do Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Sustentaveis (ELPN-Ibama) e outras disponibilizadas na pagina da Internet da Agencia Nacional de Petroleo e Gas Natural (ANP). Os resultados indicam decrescimo na diversidade de especies durante os anos 2000 e 2001, enquanto uma intensificacao das sismicas maritimas foi registrada para os mesmos anos. Os dados oceanograficos nao apresentaram variacoes significativas entre os anos estudados. Os resultados sugerem alguma relacao de efeito e causa entre a diversidade de cetaceos e a intensidade de sismicas maritimas ocorridas no Brasil entre 1999 e 2004. O aprimoramento na coleta de dados com foco mais especifico para avaliar os efeitos imediatos na diversidade e recomendado para melhor avaliacao da hipotese e utilizacao da diversidade de especies como indicador de longo prazo dos impactos das sismicas maritimas nos cetaceos.

Spatial distribution of the estuarine ichthyofauna of the Rio Formoso (Pernambuco, Brazil), with emphasis on reef fish

The objectives of the present study were to identify species of reef fish that use the Rio Formoso estuary (northeastern Brazil) as a refuge and natural nursery and to describe the spatial distribution of the estuary fish fauna in rainy and dry seasons. A total of 5475 specimens, across 78 species and 39 families, were analyzed; 51.3% of the species were of reef origin. Among these, Eucinostomus melanopterus (Bleeker, 1863), E. gula (Cuvier, 1830), and Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758), in this order, were the most abundant in the upper estuary; S. greeleyi Gilbert, 1900, E. melanopterus, and Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758) were the most abundant in the mid estuary; and E. gula and Albula vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) in the lower estuary. The percentages of reef species were 39.2%, 54.2% and 66.7% for the upper, mid and lower regions, respectively. The greatest diversity was found in the upper estuary and greatest abundance occurred in the mid region. The type of sediment was a strong determinant of the spatial distribution of fish fauna. The most abundant species were found in a mesohaline (5-18) to euhaline (30-40) salinity regimen, suggesting some capacity for osmotic regulation. The fish fauna of the Rio Formoso estuary receives a direct influence from the reefs and coastal region between Sirinhaem and Tamandare, thereby providing a greater richness of reef fish.

The behavior of Sotalia guianensis (Van Bénéden) in Pernambuco coastal waters, Brazil, and a further analysis of its reaction to boat traffic

Ainda se sabe pouco sobre o comportamento do boto-cinza, assim como a forma pela qual ele reage a diferentes tipos de embarcacoes. O presente estudo teve dois objetivos: investigar o comportamento dos botos-cinzas em quatro localidades de Pernambuco, Brasil, assim como a reacao destes para com as embarcacoes nauticas comuns. Os dados foram coletados no periodo de setembro de 2004 a agosto de 2006, no horario das 6 as 17 h. Os dados desta pesquisa resultaram de 48 saidas a campo para cada uma das quatro localidades estudadas (Portos do Recife e Suape, praia de Bairro Novo e Piedade), totalizando 192 dias de observacoes, sendo aproximadamente 380 horas de amostragens efetivas. Foram contados dez tipos de atividades comportamentais para a praia de Bairro Novo e as areas portuarias; e apenas quatro para a praia de Piedade. Com relacao as embarcacoes, o maior fluxo foi registrado para o porto do Recife. Os barcos de pesca foram os mais frequentes nas areas do porto do Recife e da praia de Bairro Novo, enquanto que no porto de Suape e na praia de Piedade predominaram as embarcacoes de turismo. Durante as observacoes dos encontros dos barcos com os botos-cinza, houve uma predominância nas reacoes neutras para todos os tipos de embarcacoes estudadas. O mesmo tipo de reacao predominou quando relacionadas as distâncias em que ocorreram as interacoes entre os animais e as embarcacoes.

Coral reef fish association and behaviour on the fire coral Millepora spp. in north-east Brazil

The branching structure of the coral colonies from the genus Millepora provides substrate, shelter, and food resources for several reef organisms, such as fish and invertebrates. The present work analysed the association and behaviour of reef fish on the fire coral Millepora alcicornis and M. brasiliensis from September 2010 to February 2011, on the coastal reefs of Tamandare, north-east Brazil. A total of 473 reef fish individuals of 27 species were sighted associated with the coral colonies, mainly composed of juveniles (65%). The most frequently observed behaviours were sheltered/stationary and swimming close to the coral; however, individuals were also observed foraging and breeding among Millepora spp. branching colonies. The agonistic behaviour performed by Stegastes fuscus individuals was highlighted in the present study, especially against Chaetodon striatus, Diodon holacanthus and Ophioblennius trinitatis individuals. Millepora spp. hydrocorals are ecologically important for juvenile and adult reef fish belonging to several trophic guilds. The complex structure of the coral colonies provides a wide variety of ecological functions on coral reefs (e.g. shelter, reproduction area, food and even territory). Nevertheless, the abundance of branching fire coral in Brazilian reefs have been declining over the past years; therefore, efforts must be made to protect this key habitat.

The influence of seasonality, tide and time of activities on the behavior of Sotalia guianensis (Van Bénéden) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) in Pernambuco, Brazil

Data on Sotalia guianensis Van Beneden, 1864 occurrence on the beaches of Pernambuco (Northeastern Brazil) is restricted to information on stranding and on printed material from local newspapers; actual observations of such animals have not been published. This study intends to determine the use of habitat, behavioral activities and assess the relationships between environmental factors and the recorded behavior. Observations were conducted on open sea coastal areas, on the beaches of Olinda and Piedade, as well as in sheltered areas, in the ports of Recife and Suape. Monitoring was carried out every month in each area, during two consecutive days, from September 2004 to August 2005. Results corroborate that this species prefers to occupy more protected environments, the port of Recife being the main concentration area for such species. Piedade is just an exploratory area, possibly due to shark occurrence. Olinda is only occasionally used. Concentration areas seem to be used for feeding, and incidence of caudal exhibition suggests that most of the estuarine dolphin prey items are demersal. Environmental conditions (seasonality, tide and time) did not show to be significant when related to the estuarine dolphin behavior.

Occurrence of sea turtles during seismic surveys in Northeastern Brazil

Parente, C.L.; Lontra. J.D. and Araujo, M.E. Ocurrence of sea turtles during seismic surveys in northeastern Brazil. Biota Neotrop. Jan/Abr 2006, vol. 6, no. 1 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v6n1/pt/abstract?article+bn00306012006. ISSN 1676-0611 There are seven species of sea turtles around the world. Among these, five visit the northeast coast of Brazil to reproduce and feed. These sea turtles are impacted by human activity and need conservation measures. The seismic survey is one of these activities due to its high intensity and low frequency sound emissions in the marine environment. Records of sea turtles during seismic surveys in shallow waters of the northeast of Brazil between 2002 and 2003 are presented in this study with some discussion about the effectiveness of the monitoring procedures. Three species of sea turtle were recorded within the seismic survey areas. The Chelonia mydas species was the most commonly sighted turtle. There was only one record of Caretta caretta and Lepidochelys olivacea. The presence of sea turtles in Sergipe state was linked to the reproductive period while this pattern was not observed in Ceara state. The absence of information about distribution and abundance of sea turtles in the surveyed areas previous to and after the seismic surveys, as well as numerous incomplete data make it hard to identify the effect of seismic surveys on those factors and also sea turtle behaviors.

Recreational fish feeding inside Brazilian MPAs: impacts on reef fish community structure

caroline vieira feitosa, lai’s de carvalho teixeira chaves, beatrice padovani ferreira and maria elisabeth de arau’ jo Universidade Federal Rural do Semiarido, Avenida Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, 59 625–900, Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Oceanografia, Avenida Arquitetura S/N, Cidade Universitaria, 50 670–901, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil