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Abude RRS, Lôbo-Hajdu G, Moreira DA, Cabrini TMB. Sandy beach mole crabs (Decapoda: Hippidae: Emerita): A systematic review of the anthropic impacts, populations density, and conservation strategies. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 202:106745. [PMID: 39276753 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Emerita species (Scopoli, 1777; Crustacea: Decapoda: Pleocyemata: Anomura: Hippidae), commonly known as mole crabs, are specialized in burying and distributed in the swash zone of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean sandy beaches. This genus has received increasing attention in scientific studies owing to its ecological importance. It is used as a model species to evaluate the ecological state of communities and as a bioindicator of environmental health and quality. Here, we systematically reviewed the literature to understand how Emerita species are affected by anthropogenic activities and gathered records of its population densities. Two independent literature searches were conducted on anthropogenic impact and population density. Anthropogenic impacts were reviewed using 61 articles published between 1974 and 2023. The main anthropogenic impacts were physical changes (n = 19) and toxicity (n = 18). E. analoga, E. talpoida, and E. brasiliensis were the most studied species. Some anthropogenic impacts did not directly damage E. analoga and E. talpoida. E. analoga was more tolerant of certain types of impacts related to physical changes and toxicity. Lower densities of E. brasiliensis were associated with more urbanized beaches. Accessing data on annual cycles, density fluctuations, and population peaks is important to minimize the impacts on populations. In total, 42 articles reported surveys on population density or abundance in nine countries. E. brasiliensis exhibited the highest amount (n = 17) on the beaches in Brazil and Uruguay, followed by E. analoga (n = 13), in Chile and USA. A temporal reduction in the densities was observed for E. brasiliensis, primarily on beaches in Brazil, and E. talpoida. A global standardization of sampling and density and abundance data presentation is necessary for effective long-term assessments of Emerita species. This study synthesizes the impacts that have occurred on Emerita, highlighting potential threats to its conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane Romão Saad Abude
- Post-Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Gisele Lôbo-Hajdu
- Post-Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Marine Genetics, Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Andrade Moreira
- Laboratory of Applied Genomics and Bioinnovations, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Medeiros Barbosa Cabrini
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Risoli MC, Yusseppone MS, Defeo O, Lomovasky BJ. Assessing sandy beach macrofaunal assemblages across geographically diverse morphodynamic environments. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 196:106407. [PMID: 38373377 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
While the physical characteristics of sandy beaches play a significant role in shaping the macrofaunal community features through morphodynamics, regional environmental factors may also account for deviations from the expected patterns. Here, we assess the concurrent effects of local morphodynamic factors and regional variables, such as sea surface temperature (SST), salinity, and chlorophyll-a (chl-a), on species richness and abundance of intertidal macrofaunal assemblages in four sandy beaches located along the estuarine gradient generated by the Río de la Plata (RdlP) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Species richness was higher in dissipative beaches compared to intermediate ones, consistent with the predictions of the Swash Exclusion Hypothesis. However, this trend was not observed for total abundance, which significantly increased with chl-a. Both local and regional-scale environmental factors, such as salinity and chl-a, proved to be significant predictors in the arrangement of these communities. These results further support previous findings that highlight the critical role of the estuarine gradient of the RdlP in shaping life-history traits, population structure, and abundance of the resident intertidal macrofauna at both local and regional scales. The study underscores the importance of integrating environmental factors operating at different spatial scales to decipher community patterns in these physically-controlled environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Risoli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC 1260 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - M S Yusseppone
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC 1260 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - O Defeo
- Laboratorio de Ciencias del Mar (UNDECIMAR), Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - B J Lomovasky
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC 1260 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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Pombo M, Cornwell T, Turra A. Beach morphodynamics modulate the effects of multidirectional habitat loss on population density and size structure of the Atlantic ghost crab Ocypode quadrata. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 190:106107. [PMID: 37540961 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Sandy beaches are land-sea transitional habitats experiencing 'multidirectional' habitat loss due to coastal developments (e.g. armoring and/or conversion of natural vegetation into manmade structures) and beach erosion. This 'coastal squeeze' is a chronic and progressive process; however, its impacts on beach biodiversity across morphodynamic gradients are still to be unveiled. We hypothesized that the effects of multidirectional habitat loss would be more severe on dissipative than on reflective beaches, due to the higher elevation, amount of built up sediment, and width of the backshore compartment of the latter. We, thus, examined the effects of coastal developments and erosion on density and size structure of the Atlantic ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata, on beaches with different morphodynamics. Given that the living area of ghost crabs spans all cross-shore compartments and the whole dissipative-to-reflective morphodynamic gradient, they are appropriate organisms to access the synergic effects of coastal developments and beach erosion under different morphodynamic regimes. On dissipative beaches, density and mean crab size increased with moderate erosion, attributed to the effects of space loss, which might increase territorial competition, favoring the remaining larger individuals. However, mean size and density decreased with high erosion given the more intense reduction in the abundance of large-sized crabs living in up-shore habitats. Mean crab size also decreased in the presence of coastal development while crab density did not vary with loss of backshore habitats occupied by larger individuals. On reflective beaches, both density and crab size decreased with coastal development; the crab size decrease recorded under moderate erosion was more evident in the presence of coastal development. Under high erosion, mean crab sizes declined, reflecting those under low erosion conditions. Overall, populations on reflective beaches appeared more resilient to extreme erosion. Notwithstanding, coastal developments affected population structure across all beach types, and especially in areas subjected to high erosion, exhibiting a synergic effect. We predict that, in combination, these stressors may lead to functionally extinct populations where conditions necessary for individuals to reach sexual maturity (i.e. occurrence of only small-sized and immature individuals) are not met. Thus, the connectivity between water, beach compartments and dunes/coastal plain, on both local and regional scales, may be essential to maintain viable and connected populations of ghost crabs. Further, our results strongly suggest that both size and density (complemented with crab abundance) must be considered equally important and in combination in future efforts to assess anthropogenic stressors on ghost crab populations and when guiding conservation strategies and policies to prevent their local and regional extinctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Pombo
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tomas Cornwell
- St Eustatius National Parks Foundation, Oranjebaaiweg 59, St Eustatius, the Netherlands.
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Ben-Haddad M, Abelouah MR, Hajji S, Bergayou H, Rangel-Buitrago N, Alla AA. Comparative study of pristine and polluted estuaries in Souss Massa National Park (Morocco): Implications for conservation strategies. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115053. [PMID: 37210989 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are among the ecosystems most affected by human actions worldwide. Economic development in Morocco puts pressure on these aquatic systems, making them vulnerable. This study compares the state of benthic communities between a pristine estuary (Massa estuary) and a polluted one (Souss estuary). Both ecosystems belong to the Souss Massa National Park (SMNP), registered in the Ramsar list for its ecological importance as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Twenty-one benthic species were identified in the pristine estuary, but only six species in the polluted one. Similar differences were detected for the species abundance and biomass. The total organic matter and the water-dissolved oxygen also revealed a notable negative effect of the sewage discharge. The results confirmed human disturbances on faunal communities related to direct wastewater inputs and indirect anthropogenic activities such as the urbanization and the litter generation. A combination of ending wastewater discharge and adding tertiary-level water treatment plants is recommended. The findings highlight the importance of MPAs in conservation strategies if coupled with continuous surveillance of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Hafida Bergayou
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia.
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
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Laurino IRA, Checon HH, Corte GN, Turra A. Does coastal armoring affect biodiversity and its functional composition on sandy beaches? MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 181:105760. [PMID: 36206641 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sandy beaches are increasingly squeezed due to the construction of backshore man-made structures (i.e., coastal armoring) and current global changes. Coastal armoring impacts beach sediment dynamics, inducing erosion and habitat loss, threatening biodiversity processes and the functional roles of sandy beach organisms. Here, we examine how the abundance, taxonomic richness, and functional richness of sandy beach fauna are affected by coastal armoring. We compared macrobenthic infaunal communities on five armored beaches (with backshore urban structures) and five vegetated beaches (not-armored). We also evaluated the abundance and biomass of upper-beach arthropods using pitfall traps, comparing armored and vegetated segments within the beaches. Infaunal richness and abundance were lower at armored beaches, mainly in the subtidal zones, because of a reduction in polychaete and molluscan abundance. There was no difference in overall functional richness between the armored and vegetated beaches. Nevertheless, we found that functional groups such as small suspension feeders were more associated with armored beaches, while large-bodied species and predators were more frequent at vegetated beaches. Pitfall traps showed that coastal armoring also reduced the abundance of the upper-beach coleopteran Phaleria testacea, leading to a loss of biomass. Therefore, our data suggest that coastal armoring can influence the functional composition of sandy beach biodiversity and significantly impact macrobenthic abundance and biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan R A Laurino
- Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, CEP: 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Hélio H Checon
- Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, CEP: 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Animal Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme N Corte
- Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, CEP: 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Alexander Turra
- Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, CEP: 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Corte GN, Checon HH, Shah Esmaeili Y, Defeo O, Turra A. Evaluation of the effects of urbanization and environmental features on sandy beach macrobenthos highlights the importance of submerged zones. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113962. [PMID: 35882073 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To assess how sandy beach biodiversity is influenced by the effects of environmental features and urbanization, we sampled the macrofauna in the whole across-shore gradient of 90 beach sites in Southeast Brazil. We found that morphodynamic features were the main drivers of macrobenthos, but urbanization-related variables, such as number of beachgoers and number of constructions on the upper shore, decreased species richness and biomass. We also found that submerged zones sustained the highest number of species and biomass in the across-shore gradient, but were the most impacted by human activities. By demonstrating the ecological importance of submerged zones, our results show that beach management practices, which are mainly focused on the upper shore, are missing important components of beach biodiversity. To secure the sustainability of beach ecosystems, management initiatives should include both their social and ecological components and consider the entire Littoral Active Zone as the proper management unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme N Corte
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202 Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Helio H Checon
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yasmina Shah Esmaeili
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Omar Defeo
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Costa LL, Machado PM, Barboza CADM, Soares-Gomes A, Zalmon IR. Recovery of ghost crabs metapopulations on urban beaches during the Covid-19 "anthropause". MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 180:105733. [PMID: 36049433 PMCID: PMC9400370 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The majority of government authorities initially responded to COVID-19 pandemic by declaring lockdown to facilitate social distancing and minimize virus spreading. This period termed "anthropause" provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the recovery of wildlife in the absence of stressors on urban ecosystems. We assessed whether the anthropause associated with beach closures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in repopulation of the Atlantic ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787) on urban beaches. For this purpose, we compiled a historic dataset (2013-2019) of the ghost crab density and performed biweekly burrow measurements from June/2020 to May/2021. Recovery of ghost crab metapopulation during the lockdown occurred even in more human-modified beaches. Burrow abundance significantly increased in urban sectors, but not in control site along with the time of pandemic. The reduction in the mean burrow opening diameter during this period evidenced that young metapopulation have thrived on urban beaches when recreational activities ceased. Our results show that urban beaches should not be exclusively managed for recreational purposes. Initiatives with a focus on wildlife conservation including spatial-temporal controlled beach closures may increase the biodiversity resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lopes Costa
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Phillipe Mota Machado
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e da Saúde, Departamento de Biologia, Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto de Moura Barboza
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Laboratório Integrado de Biologia Marinha e Laboratório de Biologia de Invertebrados, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Abilio Soares-Gomes
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Ecologia de Sedimentos, Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ilana Rosental Zalmon
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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