11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.738
Morphological Variation In The Reef Zoanthid Palythoa Caribaeorum In A
Brazilian Harbor Area
Diego COSTA* 1 , Paula GOMES 2 , André SANTOS 3 , Natalia VALENÇA 4 , Natalia
VIEIRA 4 , Carlos PERÉZ 5
1 Zoology Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, RECIFE-PE, Brazil, 2 Biology
department, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil, 3 Biology
department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil, 4 Zoology Department,
Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil, 5 Biology Department, Federal
University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Variations of polyp morphology (diameter, area, height and number) of the zoanthid
Palythoa caribaeorum from reefs of the Brazilian Northeastern Coast (Suape South and
North Points and Gamela) were analyzed seasonally (dry and wet seasons). Two samples
(10 x 10 cm) were collected from five colonies of each site at both seasons. The
populations showed larger, higher and fewer polyps at the dry season than at the wet
season. An explanation to the seasonal morphological differences found in polyps is that
they would be related to different stages of the reproductive cycle. On the other hand, the
continuous dredging carry out for the harbor complex near Suape South Point causes
increased water turbidity due to sediment resuspension. The high sediment rates justify
the great annual size found for polyps of Suape Southern population located in front of
the harbor. This could represent an ecological strategy of the species to avoid that
accumulations of sediment over the polyps cause them to suffocate or die. The Southern
site of Suape reef showed annual homogeneity for different morphological parameters of
P. caribaeorum, while the Northern site and Gamela reef showed the same seasonal
pattern. Human impact on Suape South Point due to harbor activity modifies the
ecological parameters that affect the biology of local populations. In fact, harbor areas
around the world show great homogeneity throughout the year, which may be due to
continuous, uniform impact offsetting the expected seasonal variations. The
environmental homogeneity at the harbor reflects on the homogeneous polypal
morphometric parameters at Suape South Point indicating, perhaps, a different biological
strategy (e.g. growth and reproduction).
18.739
Reef Check Surveys in Japan -Focus On Okinawa Area
Mariko ABE* 1,2 , Yasuaki MIYAMOTO 3 , Megumu TSUCHIKAWA 3 , Chihiro
NISHIHARA 1 , Akira IGUCHI 1 , Nobuo WATANABE 3
1 Okinawa ReefCheck and Research Group, Okinawa, Japan, 2 University of the Ryukyus,
Nishihara, Japan, 3 Coral Network, Tokyo, Japan
Reef Check (RC) is a global coral reef monitoring programme started in 1997 and since
that time surveys have been conducted throughout Japanese waters. RC surveys have
previously found that coral reefs around Okinawa islands to have suffered severely from
the 1998 bleaching event. The results of several recent RC surveys around Okinawa
mainland demonstrated clear difference in the recovery of live coral cover and the
abundance of coral reef organisms among reefs. Reefs formed far away from Okinawa
mainland (Yonasone, west side of Iriomote Island) showed the highest recovery rates
while reefs closer to the mainland had intermediate (Odo Reef) and low (Henoko)
recovery rates. Another survey site of remote island (Kanokawa, southern side of
Iriomote) showed slower recovery than that of Yonasone, even though it locates closely,
and judging from long term RC data we can conclude that this survey site is susceptible
to Typhoon damage. These comparisons among coral reefs give us overview of changes
in coral reef ecosystem in Okinawa and display clear difference of reef resilience.
We advocate RC is not only useful for a scientific programme but also effective for
raising public awareness. Recently local people of Awase, Sunabe, Yoron and Oura bay
voluntarily started introducing Reef Check into their usual activity. In this presentation,
the status of coral reefs based on RC data and the current activities through RC in
Okinawa will be presented. Current activities include the big finding of massive blue
coral (Heliopora coerulea) colony whose approximate sizes are 80m long, 27m width,
11m high, but had been unknown deep under the Oura bay’s water until one of RC teams
found this coral recently.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.740
Comparative Structure Of Fish And Benthos Assemblages in Belize And Brazil.
Burton SHANK* 1 , Les KAUFMAN 1 , Rodrigo MOURA 2 , Ronaldo FRANCINI-FILHO 3
1 Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 2 Marine Ecosystems, Conservation International,
Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 3 Biology, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
Comparative multivariate analysis of reef survey data from five Marine Managed Areas
(MMAs) in Belize and two in Brazil reveals the relative states of reefs in different locations,
common coral reef processes, and common effects of managed areas. Though survey
methodologies and species lists were different for the two regions, we find that combining
disparate data sets was possible by classifying species into functional groups and correcting for
sampling effort. Within benthic assemblages, inherent differences between the two regions
were removed by the first Principle Component. Datasets from the two regions overlapped on
the second and third PC with reef benthos in Brazil being more variable than Belize.
Comparison highlighted the existence of different alternative (non hard coral) benthic
community phases in Belize and Brazil. Within fish assemblages, the two MMAs from Brazil
segregated both from each other and from Belize along different PC's, one MMA having a
higher overall biomass and the second MMA having a different trophic structure. Canonical
correlation analysis between benthic assemblages and fish trophic structure yielded two
significant axes, both indicating a positive relationship between algal biomass and herbivore
density with little influence from coral cover or predatory fish biomass. We interpret this as
evidence for nested processes predominating at within vs. between region scales. Despite
varied methodologies and inherent variation in species composition, synthesis of multi-regional
monitoring data can yield meaningful, fine-scale inferences regarding the global state and
trajectories of coral reef systems. Our results suggest that with appropriate within-site designs
to account for local background variation, such comparisons can also shed light on the effects of
resource management on trophic dynamics and benthic processes.
18.741
Preliminary Results Of A Monitoring Programme For Shallow Coral Communities
Influenced By The Petro-Chemical Industry in The Easter Region Of Venezuela
Manuel GONZÁLEZ-RIVERO* 1,2 , Ana HERRERA-REVELES 1,3 , Beatriz SIEGERT-
SALAZAR 1,4 , Estrella VILLAMIZAR 1,3 , Mario YALLONARDO 1 , Ismael HERNÁNDEZ 1,3 ,
Miguel CASTILLO 1
1 Fundación Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, 2 School of Biosciences,
University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom, 3 Instituto de Zoología Tropical, Universidad
Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, 4 Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
Since 2004, a monitoring programme is being carried-out to evaluate the coral communities at
Las Isletas de Píritu, an area directly influenced by the Petro-chemical industry on Eastern coast
of Venezuela. This research was aimed at evaluating the health state of the coral systems within
the area and establishing a methodology for monitoring them in order to identify the main
factors of any possible disturbance. An annual evaluation was carried-out at 8 localities, using
observation squares of 1m2, at depths of between 3 and 7m. The variables studied where:
benthic community coverage, density of recruits and incidence of disease. Based on the data
obtained from the first evaluation carried-out (2004-2005), a comparative analysis was done
between 2006 and 2007, using a paired sample design to compare the annual variations in the
variables. The main results were: 1) the coral communities are of path type and heterogeneous,
in which there is a considerable coverage of death coral (68.3±9.3%). 2) The richness in species
and the density of coral recruits showed comparatively low values (13sp and 2.2±1.0 ind/m2).
3) Siderastrea siderea and Diploria strigosa were the dominant species, which are typical of
areas directly influenced by upwelling phenomena. Some locations, however, showed evidence
of a recuperation of Acropora palmata populations. 4) In terms of coverage, the main benthic
groups were Hard Corals (5.7±5.6%), Hydrocorals (7.5±3.8%) and incrusted Zoanthids and
Octocorals (8.8±4.8%). 5) Up to date, no evidence has yet been found of any disease in the
colonies evaluated. 6) Considering the variables employed, a high degree of deterioration was
found. 7) No evidence has yet been found, however, in any of the variables under study,
between from 2006 to date (t-student, p