11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

Oral Mini-Symposium 26: Biodiversity and Diversification of Reef Organisms
26-1
The Marine Biodiversity of Cuba
Rodolfo CLARO 1 , Pedro ALCOLADO 1 , Kenyon LINDEMAN* 2
1 Instituto de Oceanologia, CITMA, La Habana, Cuba, 2 Dept. of Marine and Environ.
Systems, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
The marine biodiversity of Cuba is highly influenced by coral reefs; however, a
comprehensive summary of the main attributes of Cuban marine biodiversity has been
unavailable. The objective of this work was to produce a book-length digital
compendium that summarizes and integrates primary knowledge of the biodiversity of
Cuban reefs and associated ecosystems. This study is based on analyses by over 30
authors of the existing bibliographical information (published or in archives) and recent
unpublished data from diverse studies. Primary focal points included the identification of
main marine resources, current and potential stressors, key indicators of conservation
status, and options for improved management. The results are presented in a digital book
available by CD and the World Wide Web that summarizes and integrates fundamental
knowledge about organismal diversity and ecological processes of coastal Cuba. The
book includes: a paleogeographic analysis of the origin and evolution of primary regions,
habitats and biota; ecological and biogeographic evaluations of coastal and ocean
systems; and summaries of ecological and economic resource importance. The substantial
Cuban marine protected area system is also described. Existing information is collated
by phylum and lower systematic categories for all groups of fauna, flora, and
microorganisms. All recorded marine species are listed: approximately 7300 in 23 lists
from bacteria to mammals. The species total includes 5700 and 1030 species of
invertebrates and fishes, respectively. Prominent goods and services of Cuban marine
biological diversity are also described (fisheries, tourism, bio-products, etc). Significant
threats are identified and institutional management frameworks are outlined. Major gaps
in knowledge and coordinated research needs are identified. A substantial array of
hierarchical actions is summarized for the conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable
use of the marine biological diversity of Cuba.
26-2
Rhodolith Beds Diversity in A Gradient From 3 To 60 Meters Depth At The
Brazilian Continental Shelf
Gilberto AMADO-FILHO* 1
1 Programa Zona Costeira, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio
de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Rhodoliths beds are one of the most extensive benthic communities of the Brazilian
continental shelf, but their structure and associated communities are poorly known. In
this work we described the structure of rhodoliths beds along the Espírito Santo and
Bahia State coast. The study areas were 3 to 45 kilometers offshore. Samples were
obtained by SCUBA diving in three depths zones: 4 to 18 m, 25 to 30 m and 50 to 55 m
during the years of 2005-2007. Transect lines and video images were used to determine
rhodoliths density. Diameters and sphericity were measured from at least 60 individuals
from each zone. Rhodoliths size increased (5.1 ± 0.2 cm to 10.9 ± 4.1 cm), and density
decreased (125 ± 86 to 32 ± 12 rhodoliths.m2) from the shallow to the deeper zone.
Spheroidal was the typical shape throughout the depth zones. Ten rhodolith forming
coralline species were identified belonging to the genera: Hydrolithon, Lithophyllum,
Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum, Neogoniolithon, Spongites and Sporolithon. One species
of kelp Laminaria abyssalis is associated to rhodolith beds at the depth of 50-55 m. A
flora of 160 macroalgae species were identified in studied area. Epibenthic biomass
seasonal changes over rhodoliths from summer (116 ± 68 g.m2) to winter season (62 ± 25
g.m2) were seen and can be related to the instability caused to the beds by the higher
frequency of typical storm disturbance in the winter period. Although rhodoliths beds are
subject to movement caused by water motion and bioturbation the obtained results
indicates that the studied rhodoliths beds present a similar benthic diversity to that found
in Atlantic tropical reef forming communities.
26-3
Reef And Mangrove Sponge Fauna: A Systematic Comparison, And An Evolutionary
Hypothesis.
Maria C. DIAZ* 1 , Klaus RUETZLER 2
1 Department of Research, Museo Marino de Margarita, Boca del Rio, Venezuela, 2 Invertebrate
Zoology, National Museum of Natural history, Smithsonian Institution, Washigton D.C., VA
Comparing sponge communities from reefs and offshore mangrove islands at various Caribbean
sites we find that, despite similar geographic distribution, they are strikingly different in
systematic composition and biological properties. Taxonomically we find that families that
flourish in one ecosystem are absent or rare in the other. Such is the case within the species-rich
order Haplosclerida where the family Petrosiidae (genera Xestospongia, Petrosia) dominates on
the reef, while the family Chalinidae (Haliclona , Chalinula) prevails in the mangroves. At least
eight other Demospongiae families and two orders reflect this disjunct pattern of occurrence;
these taxa represent approximately 50 % of the sponge diversity known from the two systems.
Morphologically, we find a separation in terms of shape and size among the major
representatives of the group, with much larger sizes on the reef, dominated by tube-, vase-, rodshaped,
or massive amorphous sponges. On Mangroves, thin or thick crusts and some massiveamorphous
shapes predominate, although any shape can be found, except it is restricted to small
size categories. Regarding sexual reproduction, a prevalence of oviparous broadcasters is found
on the reef, viviparous brooders are common in the mangrove. Ecologically, we find certain
symbiotic consortia common on reefs but practically absent in mangroves. We correlate the
distribution of these important biological traits with the physical properties of the reef and
mangrove environments. A hypothesis is presented of how these two sponge faunas are
historically related and how they interact at the present time. We discuss how taxonomy
enlightens the ecological and evolutionary connectivity of these faunas and make
recommendations for future study and environmental evaluation.
26-4
Diversity Of Soft Corals (Octocorallia) in Kenya And The Adjacent Pemba Island
(Tanzania) With Reference To Other South Equatorial East African Reefs
Yehuda BENAYAHU* 1 , Michael H. SCHLEYER 2 , Shimrit PERKOL-FINKEL 1 , Alex
SHLAGMAN 1
1 Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2 Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban,
South Africa
The coral reefs of East Africa are of particular biogeographical interest and some of them are
known for their flourishing soft coral communities. Intrigued by the lack of taxonomic and
ecological reports on the soft corals from Kenya and Pemba Island (4-50S), we conducted
comprehensive soft coral surveys at various sites there. We investigated their species diversity,
also in comparison to previously studied south equatorial East African reefs. Collecting trips
were conducted during 2000-2005 and approximately 900 samples were obtained. The
distributional patterns of the different taxa on the reefs were determined and in some areas their
live coverage was measured. Overall, the collections yielded 85 species belonging to 28 genera.
Some of the Nephtheidae are still being examined, as are several new species that have yet to be
described. The most specious genera on the surveyed reefs were Sinularia (26 species),
Sarcophyton (10) Cladiella, Lemnalia and Lobophytum (5 each). Interestingly, some genera of
the family Xeniidae that were represented by only one or two species (i.e., Cespitularia,
Efflatounaria and Sympodium) monopolized large reef areas locally. The reef habitats richest in
soft corals were found below 7-8 m depth, including steep walls (25-35 m). The soft coral
assemblages growing on sea-grass beds in shallow lagoons and aggregations of Studeriotes on
silt bottoms are of special interest. The studied reefs display a higher soft coral diversity
compared to Mafia Is. (Tanzania, 7 0 S), the northern coast of Mozambique (12-16 0 S), Bazaruto
Is. (Mozambique, 21 0 S) and KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa, 28 0 S). The current findings further
demonstrate the distinct latitudinal diversity pattern on south equatorial African reefs, with the
highest diversity found on the near-equator reefs. The findings also reinforce the need to
implement effective conservation policies and management programs in order to promote
preservation of these diverse soft coral communities.
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