Distribution of benthic fauna in sediment grains and prop roots of a mangrove channel in south-eastern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora De Souza Silva-Camacho ◽  
Rafaela De S. Gomes ◽  
Joaquim N.S. Santos ◽  
Francisco Gerson Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
High Abundance ◽  
Dominant Group ◽  
Medium Sand ◽  
Spatial Partitioning ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Different Types

We examined the benthic fauna in four areas along a mangrove tidal channel in south-eastern Brazil, between October 2008 and August 2009. The tested hypothesis is that the most abundant groups avoid competition as they occupy different types of substrata and that the longitudinal distance from the sea also affects the occurrence of benthic fauna along the channel. We also examined the prop root epibiont fauna to describe this different community. Polychaeta was the dominant group in the sediment whereas Isopoda and Tanaidacea were the dominant groups on the prop roots. We found a tendency for higher infauna species richness and diversity in the innermost channel area during the summer. Higher abundance of epibiont fauna was also found in summer with tidal movements allowing the colonization of the prop roots of the mangrove forest by some taxa. The polychaetes Ceratocephale sp. and Laeonereis acuta had indication of habitat partitioning, with the first occurring mainly in very fine sand sediment whereas the latter preferred medium sand sediment. The microcrustaceans Chelorchestia darwini and Tanaidacea sp. 1 occurred in high abundance colonizing the prop roots. Exosphaeroma sp. was found in high abundance in infauna and epibiont fauna. The tested hypothesis of spatial partitioning of the mangrove channel by the benthic fauna was confirmed with the most abundant species occupying the substrata with different grain fractions and prop roots in different stations.

scholarly journals Soft-Bottom macrobenthic communities of the Vitória Bay estuarine system, South-eastern Brazil

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 23-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosebel C. Nalesso ◽  
Jean-Christophe Joyeux ◽  
Cintia O. Quintana ◽  
Evelise Torezani ◽  
Ana Clara Paz Otegui
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Coarse Sand ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Estuarine System ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Physico Chemical

The present work describes and analyses the structure of the macrobenthic epi- and infaunal assemblage of the estuarine system of Vitória Bay, South-eastern Brazil, from January 1998 to June 1999. Replicated sampling at intertidal and subtidal levels was conducted quarterly at ten stations. Intertidal and subtidal sediment composition was characterised. Water physico-chemical parameters were measured in situ. A total of 10,695 individuals, belonging to 144 taxa, were collected. Molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes were the most abundant groups. The bivalves Anomalocardia brasiliana, Mytella guyanensis and M. falcata were the most abundant species. Locally, significant discharges of residential and industrial wastewater resulted in high organic content in the sediment (up to 30%) and low dissolved oxygen concentration in the water (< 1mg.l-1). Near the two entrances of the bay, high hydrodynamic activity and coarse sand reduced the detrimental effects of raw and treated sewage inputs. Species richness (S), diversity (H') and total abundance (A) decreased from outer-bay stations (22 < S < 72; 1.99 < H' < 2.85; 320 < A < 1737) towards inner-bay stations (2 < S < 45; 0.59 < H' < 2.67; 2 < A < 1317), where salinity and dissolved oxygen were lowest and organic matter content highest.

scholarly journals Diversity and distribution of crustaceans from 13 sheltered sandy beaches along São Sebastião Channel, south-eastern Brazil

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.R. Nucci ◽  
A. Turra ◽  
E.H. Morgado
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Sandy Beaches ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Sediment Grain Size ◽  
Crustacean Species ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil

The crustacean species composition in the intertidal zones of 13 sheltered unconsolidated marine beaches in south-eastern Brazil is described. Fifty-three crustacean species were collected, adding 46 species to the total reported by previous studies in the same region. Decapods dominated the community, in contrast to exposed sandy beaches where peracarids normally predominate. The species were distributed irregularly among the beaches. Richness varied markedly among sites, and was positively related to a combination of factors such as fine sand grains, high organic matter content, and relatively low silt–clay content. The presence of rock fragments enabled both rocky shore and sandy beach crustaceans to occur on the same beaches. Richness and abundance of crustaceans showed no clear relationship to sediment grain size and slope, in contrast to the norm for exposed sandy beaches. The dominance of the tanaid Kalliapseudes schubarti in some areas may be a result of organic matter pollution in the region. These beaches showed higher species richness than typical sheltered and exposed sandy beaches, indicating that this sheltered, highly heterogeneous seascape is an important area for conservation.

Spatial Distribution and Biological Rhythms of Suprabenthic Mysids from the English Channel

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1181-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souaad Zouhiri ◽  
Carole Vallet ◽  
Pascal Mouny ◽  
Jean-Claude Dauvin
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Biological Rhythms ◽  
Swimming Activity ◽  
High Abundance ◽  
Seine Estuary ◽  
English Channel ◽  
Dominant Group ◽  
Medium Sand ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
Sea Floor

One hundred and ninety-eight suprabenthic hauls from the English Channel and the Seine Estuary were taken with a modified Macer-GIROQ sledge. Numerically, mysids were the dominant group amongst the peracarids collected with the sledge and 28 species were recorded. Mysid densities were higher in the oligohaline zone (>200,000 ind 100 m-3) of the Seine Estuary than at other stations in the English Channel (where the density was the highest on medium sand stations, ~5000 ind 100 m-3). Two main gradients of mysid distribution were identified: (1) a higher species richness in the western part of the Channel compared with the eastern part of the Channel; and (2) an increasing density gradient from west to east during spring and a decreasing gradient from west to east during the autumn (eastern high abundance of Haplostylus spp. during spring, and western high abundance of Schistomysis ornata and Erythrops elegans during autumn). Mysids showed important diel rhythms with maximum abundance at sunrise and sunset, and low density at night. According to their swimming activities, suprabenthic mysids were classified into three groups: upper organisms with a very strong activity, species with a strong activity and occupying the whole water column near the sea-floor, and lower species with limited swimming activity. Nevertheless, the swimming activity could be modified according to the hydrodynamics of each site. A seasonal cycle of abundance (summer recruitment for dominant species Anchialina agilis, Haplostylus lobatus, Haplostylus normani) was observed on two stations where temporal samples along the year were available.

scholarly journals Composition and Natural History of Snakes from Etá Farm region, Sete Barras, south-eastern Brazil

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 931 ◽  
pp. 115-153
Author(s):  
Bruno F. Fiorillo ◽  
Bruno R. da Silva ◽  
Frederico Alcântara Menezes ◽  
Otavio A. V. Marques ◽  
Marcio Martins
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
History Information ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
History Of ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
Conservation Plans

Approximately 140 snake species are known to occur in the Atlantic Forest with nearly half being endemic to this ecoregion. However, the Atlantic forest is one of the most threatened tropical ecoregions, with only 16% of its original area remaining as forest. This extensive habitat loss must have had a negative effect on its snake fauna. Indeed, 53% of the threatened snakes of Brazil occur in the Atlantic forest. Therefore, basic natural history information that can potentially contribute to the conservation of Atlantic forest snakes are urgently needed. Here the natural history of a snake assemblage at Etá Farm region, Sete Barras municipality, south-eastern Brazil is described, and a visual guide and an identification key provided that can be used by researchers and local people to identify snakes from this region. Most of the species found in the field use both open areas and forests, are primarily terrestrial, present diurnal activity, and include frogs in their diet. A higher number of enlarged follicles, eggs, and/or embryos were recorded during the warm and rainy season. Seventeen different types of defensive tactics were recorded in the species found in the field. This study provides useful information for understanding the structure of snake assemblages of the Atlantic Forest and is potentially useful for conservation assessments and for designing conservation plans.

Effects of soils and topography on the distribution of tree species in a tropical riverine forest in south-eastern Brazil

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ary T. Oliveira-Filho ◽  
Enivanis A. Vilela ◽  
Douglas A. Carvalho ◽  
Manuel L. Gavilanes
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Growth Strategy ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Riverine Forest ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Significant Difference

ABSTRACTThe relationships between soil properties, topography and tree species distribution were analysed in a tropical riverine forest at the margins of the Rio Grande, in Bom Sucesso, state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. The forest was sampled by three 0.18 ha plots, with each plot made up of eight contiguous 15 m X 15 m quadrats, four of which were placed at the river margin and the remaining four in the forest interior. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the species' density distribution was significantly correlated with some soil chemical characteristics and topographical features. The soils of the three sample plots showed statistically significant differences for the levels of Ca, Mg, K and pH, with the fertility (expressed by the cation exchange capacity) increasing from Plot I to Plot III. These variations were mainly explained by the first canonical axis while the second was strongly correlated with topographical variables, separating the quadrats into two groups: those of the higher and steeper sites from those of the lower sites. The only soil property that was significantly different in lower and upper sites was the concentration of phosphorus. No significant difference in tree species distribution was found between river margin and interior quadrats, certainly because this forest sector lies on the outer side of a curve of the river where erosion is currently building high and steep river banks and forcing the forest to retreat. A tentative ecological classification of the 30 most abundant species according to their habitat preference in terms of soil fertility and topographical sites, and to their growth strategy in the forest dynamics, is presented. It is suggested that these factors play an important role in promoting the coexistence of tree species in this type of forest.

scholarly journals Spatial–temporal variation of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) density in relation to some environmental factors on the inner shelf of south-eastern Brazilian coast

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eudriano Florêncio dos Santos Costa ◽  
Gustavo Monteiro Teixeira ◽  
Fúlvio Aurélio de Morais Freire ◽  
Adilson Fransozo
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil

The temporal and spatial variation of Paralonchurus brasiliensis density (fish per m2) in relation to environmental factors was studied on the coasts of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba, south-eastern Brazil. The fish were collected by shrimp fishery trawl on a monthly basis from January to December, 2002. Seven depths were previously established and for each one the temperature, salinity, organic matter content and grain size of the sediment (φ) was measured. The seasonal analysis of temperature and salinity indicated the presence of the water masses South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) and Coastal Waters (CW) acting in the study area. A total of 29,808 fish were collected during the study period. The highest densities were registered during the summer and autumn indicating an association with CW. The fish population moved to shallow depths during the intrusion of the cold water mass, SACW. The highest densities were registered in depths where the sediment composition ranged from fine sand to silt–clay. Thus, the temperature and type of the sediment are the main environmental factors which affect the spatial–temporal variation of P. brasiliensis density in south-eastern Brazil.

Small rodent communities (Muridae) in Gabonese savannas: species diversity and biogeographical affinities

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Mboumba ◽  
Maxime R. Hervé ◽  
Véronique Guyot ◽  
Frederic Ysnel
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Small Rodent ◽  
Small Rodents ◽  
South West ◽  
New Information ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mus Minutoides ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Coastal Basin

Abstract The study contributes to the knowledge of species composition and biogeographical affinities of savannas rodent in Gabon. Unlike small rodents in Gabonese forests, there is little data on the diversity of small rodents in Gabonese savannas. The diversity and distribution of rodent murid communities was studied in four different types of savanna in Gabon: Coastal Basin (South-West), Lopé/Okanda (in the Center), Batéké Plateaux (Southeastern) and Ngougnié/ N’yanga (in the South). A total of 428 individuals representing six species were captured over 11,920 trap nights. Trap success was highly variable (2.2–6.9 %). The most abundant species were Mus minutoides (69%) followed by Lemniscomys striatus (21.5%). Indices of species richness varied from 2 to 5 and diversity (Shannon and Weaver) was low in the four savannas with the highest value at Ngougnié/N’yanga (H′ = 1.2). Species distributions show that Gabonese savanna small rodents conform to four distribution types, with one species known from Zambesian savannas exhibiting austral affinities (Pelomys campanae: occurs in three southern savannas). This new information provides important insight into the biogeography of small rodents at a local and regional level. Moreover, the correspondence analysis highlighted an influence of local ecological factors on population abundance.

scholarly journals Species functional traits and abundance as drivers of multiplex ecological networks: first empirical quantification of inter-layer edge weights

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1939) ◽  
pp. 20202127
Author(s):  
S. Hervías-Parejo ◽  
C. Tur ◽  
R. Heleno ◽  
M. Nogales ◽  
S. Timóteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Traits ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Modular Organization ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Multilayer Network ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Natural Communities

Many vertebrate species act as both plant pollinators and seed-dispersers, thus interconnecting these processes, particularly on islands. Ecological multilayer networks are a powerful tool to explore interdependencies between processes; however, quantifying the links between species engaging in different types of interactions (i.e. inter-layer edges) remains a great challenge. Here, we empirically measured inter-layer edge weights by quantifying the role of individually marked birds as both pollinators and seed-dispersers of Galápagos plant species over an entire year. Although most species (80%) engaged in both functions, we show that only a small proportion of individuals actually linked the two processes, highlighting the need to further consider intra-specific variability in individuals' functional roles. Furthermore, we found a high variation among species in linking both processes, i.e. some species contribute more than others to the modular organization of the multilayer network. Small and abundant species are particularly important for the cohesion of pollinator seed-dispersal networks, demonstrating the interplay between species traits and neutral processes structuring natural communities.

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