Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Cetaceans in the Subtropical Southwestern Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf and Slope

This work is based on a compilation of benthic foraminiferal data collected in the Aveiro Lagoon and in the adjacent continental shelf and upper slope (center of Portugal). It intends to provide an overall analysis from transitional to the outer continental shelf of the occurrence and distribution of species in living and to present updated taxonomic data and illustrations of most of the species found in the in the Aveiro Lagoon and in the adjacent continental shelf including in total assemblages. Cluster analysis (CA) and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) interpreted as depth functions allow us to identify the main species in different ecoenvironments and sectors of the study area. The most unusual living assemblage was documented in the lagoon inlet under very strong tidal currents activity, composed mostly by the following species (both in living and total assemblages): Rotaliammina concava, Lepidodeuterammina ochracea, Quinqueloculina seminula, Gavelinopsis praegeri, Paratrochammina haynesi, Remaneica helgolandica and Remaneicella gonzalezi. The distribution patterns of some Trochamminidae and Remaneicidae species whose ecology and distribution pattern are poorly known, have proved to be a marker of more or less hydrodynamic and stable/unstable environments in coastal and transitional marine environments. OCORRÊNCIA DE FORAMINÍFEROS E DISTRIBUIÇÃO DAS PRINCIPAIS ESPÉCIES NA LAGOA DE AVEIRO E NA PLATAFORMA CONTINENTAL ADJACENTE (PORTUGAL)ResumoEste trabalho baseia-se numa compilação de dados foraminíferos bentónicos recolhidos na Laguna de Aveiro e na plataforma continental adjacente (centro de Portugal). Pretende efetuar uma análise geral da distribuição de espécies nas associações vivas e totais (vivas e mortas) na área de estudo, em função da profundidade. Pretende ainda apresentar dados taxonómicos e ilustrações da maioria das espécies encontradas na Laguna de Aveiro e na plataforma continental adjacente. A análise de agrupamento (CA) e a análise de componentes principais (PCA), em função da profundidade, permitem identificar as principais espécies em diferentes ecossistemas e setores da área de estudo. A associação viva mais invulgar foi encontrada na embocadura da Laguna de Aveiro, um ambiente sujeito a forte corrente de maré. Essa associação era composta principalmente pelas seguintes espécies (na associação viva e total): Rotaliammina concava, Lepidodeuterammina ochracea, Quinqueloculina seminula, Gavelinopsis praegeri, Paratrochammina haynesi, Remaneica helgolandica and Remaneicella gonzalezi. Os padrões de distribuição de algumas espécies de Trochamminidae e Remaneicidae, cuja ecologia e padrão de distribuição são pouco conhecidos, mostraram ser um marcador de ambientes mais ou menos hidrodinâmicos e de estabilidade/instabilidade do substrato em ambientes marinhos costeiros e de transição. Palavras-chave: Ecologia. Taxonomia. Imagens digitais. Análise Estatística. Ambientes Transicionais e Costeiros Marinhos.

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Isotopic characterization of lifetime movement by two demersal fishes from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 657 ◽

pp. 161-172

Author(s):

JL Vecchio ◽

JL Ostroff ◽

EB Peebles

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Continental Shelf ◽

Life Histories ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Trophic Position ◽

Eye Lens ◽

Outer Continental Shelf ◽

Red Grouper ◽

Lens Diameter ◽

Isotopic Characterization

An understanding of lifetime trophic changes and ontogenetic habitat shifts is essential to the preservation of marine fish species. We used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) recorded within the laminar structure of fish eye lenses, reflecting both diet and location over time, to compare the lifetime trends of 2 demersal mesopredators. Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps inhabit burrows on the outer continental shelf, which results in exceptional site fidelity. Red grouper Epinephelus morio are spawned on the middle to outer continental shelf, move to the inner shelf for the juvenile period, and return offshore upon sexual maturity. Both species inhabit the eastern Gulf of Mexico, a region with a distinctive offshore-inshore gradient in background δ13C values. Within individual tilefish (n = 36), sequences of δ13C values and δ15N values had strong, positive correlations with eye-lens diameter, and strong correlations between the 2 isotopes (mean Spearman r = 0.86), reflecting an increase in trophic position with growth and little lifetime movement. In red grouper (n = 30), δ15N values positively correlated with eye-lens diameter, but correlations between δ15N and δ13C were weak (mean Spearman r = 0.29), suggesting cross-shelf ontogenetic movements. Linear mixed model results indicated strong relationships between δ15N and δ13C values in tilefish eye lenses but no convergence in the red grouper model. Collectively, these results are consistent with previously established differences in the life histories of the 2 species, demonstrating the potential utility of eye-lens isotope records, particularly for investigating the life histories of lesser-known species.

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