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Cordeiro CAMM, Pardal A, Giménez L, Ciotti ÁM, Jenkins SR, Burrows MT, Williams GA, Christofoletti RA. Environmental factors have stronger effects than biotic processes in patterns of intertidal populations along the southeast coast of Brazil. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 200:106646. [PMID: 39048495 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106646] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Rocky shore communities are shaped by complex interactions among environmental drivers and a range of biological processes. Here, we investigated the importance of abiotic and biotic drivers on the population structure of key rocky intertidal species at 62 sites, spanning ∼50% of the Brazilian rocky shoreline (i.e., ∼500 km). Large-scale population patterns were generally explained by differences in ocean temperature and wave exposure. For the gastropod species Lottia subrugosa, differences at smaller scales (i.e., 0.1-1 km) were better explained by other abiotic influences such as freshwater discharge and substrate roughness. Based on the general population patterns of intertidal species identified, three main oceanographic groups were observed: a cold-oligotrophic grouping at northern sites (Lakes sub-region), a eutrophic group associated with large estuaries and urban zones (Santos and Guanabara bays); and a transitional warm-water group found between the two more productive areas. Larger individuals of Stramonita brasiliensis, L. subrugosa and Echinolittorina lineolata were generally found in the cold-oligotrophic system (i.e., upwelling region), while small suspension feeders dominate the warm-eutrophic systems. Evidence of bottom-up regulation was not observed, and top-down regulation effects were only observed between the whelk S. brasiliensis and its mussel prey Pernaperna. Environmental drivers as compared to biotic interactions, therefore, play a key role determining the population structure of multiple intertidal species, across a range of spatial scales along the SW Atlantic shores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A M M Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Environmental Sciences, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - André Pardal
- Center of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC (CCNH/UFABC), Rua Santa Adélia 166, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil; Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Luis Giménez
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Áurea M Ciotti
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo (CEBIMar/USP), Rod. Manoel Hipólito do Rego, km 131.5, São Sebastião, SP, 1160-000, Brazil
| | - Stuart R Jenkins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Michael T Burrows
- Department of Ecology, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Gray A Williams
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ronaldo A Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil
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Pardal A, Martinez AS, Ciotti ÁM, Christofoletti RA, Cordeiro CAMM. Macroecology of rocky intertidal benthic communities along the southwestern Atlantic: Patterns of spatial variation and associations with natural and anthropogenic variables. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 190:106099. [PMID: 37454508 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106099] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Assessing spatial variability in biodiversity and its relationships with potential drivers is necessary for understanding and predicting changes in ecosystems. Here, we evaluated spatial patterns in sessile macrobenthic communities in rocky intertidal habitats along the southwestern Atlantic (SE Brazil), spanning over 500 km of coastline. We applied a rapid-survey approach focusing on the main space occupiers and habitat-forming taxa. We partitioned community variance into spatial scales ranging from metres to hundreds of kilometres and assessed whether community patterns were associated with variation in shore topography, nearshore ocean, and human influence. The communities from the mid-midlittoral level exhibited equivalent variation (31-35%) at the scales of quadrats (metres), sites (kilometres), and sub-regions (tens of kilometres). For the communities from the low-midlittoral and infralittoral fringe levels, most variability occurred at the scales of quadrats and sites (30-42%), followed by sub-regions (22%). Wave fetch, sea surface temperature (SST), and shore inclination were the variables that best explained community structure at the mid-midlittoral. At the low-midlittoral and infralittoral fringe, the most influential variables were related to oceanic forcing (SST, total suspended solids, particulate organic carbon, chlorophyll-a concentration) and human influence. Univariate analyses also revealed strong associations between the abundance of the main components of the communities and the predictor variables evaluated. Our results suggest that urbanised estuarine bays and coastal upwelling regimes have a strong influence on adjacent benthic communities, driving macroecological patterns in the study area. This study advances the knowledge in macroecology and biogeography of rocky shores in an understudied coastline and globally and provides valuable insights for future assessments of ecological changes resulting from unfolding human impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Pardal
- Center of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC (CCNH/UFABC), Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil; Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil.
| | - Aline S Martinez
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Áurea M Ciotti
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo (CEBIMar/USP), Rod. Manoel Hipólito do Rego, km 131.5, São Sebastião, SP, 1160-000, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo A Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Cesar A M M Cordeiro
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
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Xu M, Zhang Y, Cao S, Li Y, Wang J, Dong H, Wang Y. A simulated toxic assessment of cesium on the blue mussel Mytilus edulis provides evidence for the potential impacts of nuclear wastewater discharge on marine ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120458. [PMID: 36270569 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120458] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effects of cesium (Cs) on the blue mussel Mytilus edulis were experimentally investigated to assess the potential environmental consequences of the discharge of nuclear wastewater containing radionuclides. A simulated experimental system of stable cesium (133Cs) was set up to mimic the impacts of radiocesium, and its heavy metal property was emphasized. The mussels were exposed to a concentration gradient of 133Cs for 21 days, followed by another 21-day elimination period. 133Cs exposure resulted in effective bioaccumulation with distinct features of concentration dependence and tissue specificity, and hemolymph, gills and digestive glands were recognized as the most target tissues for accumulation. Although the elimination period was helpful in reducing the accumulated 133Cs, the remaining concentrations of tissues were still significant. 133Cs exposure presented little effect on growth status at the individual level but had distinct interference on feeding and metabolism indicated by the oxygen consumption rate, ammonia-N excretion rate and O:N ratio, simultaneously with the impairment of digestive glands. Regarding hemocytes in the hemolymph, the cell mortality increment, micronucleus promotion, lysosomal membrane stability disruption and phagocytic ability inhibition suggested that the immune function was injured. The cooccurrence of reactive oxygen species overproduction had a close relationship with the observed damages and was thought to be the possible explanation for the immune toxicity. The assay based integrated biomarker response (IBR) presented a good linear relation with the exposure concentrations, suggesting that it was a promising method for assessing the risk of 133Cs. The results indicated that 133Cs exposure damaged M. edulis at the tissue and cell before at the macroscopic individual, evidencing the potentially detrimental impacts of nuclear wastewater discharge on marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Xu
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Yaya Zhang
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Sai Cao
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Jiayi Wang
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Huihui Dong
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - You Wang
- Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Local and large-scale spatial variation in a marine predator-prey interaction in the southwestern Atlantic. Oecologia 2022; 199:685-698. [PMID: 35857114 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05220-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions are a key ecological process which can be modified by environmental conditions over a range of spatial scales. Through two complementary short-term experiments, we assessed how local and large-scale environmental conditions affect a subtropical intertidal predator-prey interaction. At a local scale, we evaluated the effects of the degree of exposure to wave action and prey density on consumption rate and interaction strength using a whelk-barnacle system. Consumption rate decreased with wave exposure at experimentally reduced prey density but did not change at ambient density. Such an interactive effect occurred due to shifts in the whelk's feeding behaviour, likely linked to encounter rate and stress amelioration underpinned by prey density. Per capita interaction strength of the whelk on the barnacle weakened along the wave exposure gradient, but to a greater degree at reduced compared to ambient prey density. This confirms that environmental harshness can decrease the importance of predators, but the magnitude of change may be modified by density-dependent effects. A large-scale experiment did not reveal spatial patterns in the whelk-barnacle interaction, nor relationships to chlorophyll-a concentration or the minor change in sea temperature across the study area. Patterns in the size of consumed barnacles along the chlorophyll-a gradient suggest changes in food choice related to prey quality and size. We conclude that disentangling the effects of wave exposure and prey density revealed important potential mechanisms driving species locally. Large-scale variation in the whelk-barnacle interaction appeared to be linked to species' traits shaped by the environmental context.
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The effects of the nonnative brittle star Ophiothela mirabilis Verrill, 1867 on the feeding performance of an octocoral host in a southwestern Atlantic rocky shore. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Martinez AS, Underwood T, Christofoletti RA, Pardal A, Fortuna MA, Marcelo-Silva J, Morais GC, Lana PC. Reviewing the effects of contamination on the biota of Brazilian coastal ecosystems: Scientific challenges for a developing country in a changing world. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:150097. [PMID: 34500263 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pollution is a major worldwide problem that is increasing with urban growth, mainly along coastal areas. Pollution is often worse, governance is poorer and managerial strategies to improve environmental quality are less advanced in developing than developed countries. Here, we present an overview of the current scientific knowledge of the impacts of contamination on the biota of coastal ecosystems of Brazil and evaluate the scientific challenges to provide baseline information for local managerial purposes. We compiled data from 323 peer-reviewed published papers from the extensive Brazilian coast. We critically evaluated the produced knowledge (target contaminants, sources, ecosystems, taxa, response variables) and the science behind it (rigour and setting) within its socioenvironmental context (land occupation, use of the coast, sanitation status, contamination history). Research was driven largely by environmental outcomes of industrial development with a focus on the single effects of metals on the biota. The current knowledge derives mainly from laboratory manipulative experiments or from correlative field studies of changes in the biota with varying levels of contamination. Of these, 70% had problems in their experimental design. Environmental impacts have mainly been assessed using standard indicators of populations, mostly in ecotoxicological studies. Benthic assemblages have mostly been studied using structural indicators in field studies. Future assessments of impacts should expand research to more taxonomic groups and ecosystem compartments, adding combined functional and structural responses. Furthermore, further investigations need to consider the interactive effects of contaminants and other environmental stressors. By doing so, researchers would deliver more robust and effective results to solve problems of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline S Martinez
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil.
| | - Tony Underwood
- Marine Ecology Laboratories A11, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ronaldo A Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - André Pardal
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil; Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC (CCNH/UFABC), Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP 09210-170, Brazil
| | - Monique A Fortuna
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - João Marcelo-Silva
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Gisele C Morais
- Laboratório de Bentos, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Av. Beira-mar, s/n, Pontal do Paraná, PR 83255-976, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Lana
- Laboratório de Bentos, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Av. Beira-mar, s/n, Pontal do Paraná, PR 83255-976, Brazil
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Pardal A, Cordeiro CAMM, Ciotti ÁM, Jenkins SR, Giménez L, Burrows MT, Christofoletti RA. Influence of environmental variables over multiple spatial scales on the population structure of a key marine invertebrate. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 170:105410. [PMID: 34271484 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying scale-dependent patterns and linking ecological to environmental variation is required to understand mechanisms regulating biodiversity. We conducted a large-scale survey in rocky shores along the SE Brazilian coast to examine spatial variability in body size and density of an intertidal barnacle (Chthamalus bisinuatus) and its relationships with benthic and oceanographic predictors. Both the size and density of barnacles showed most variation at the smallest spatial scales. On average, barnacle body size was larger on shores located in areas characterised by higher chlorophyll levels, colder waters, low wave action and low influence of freshwater. Barnacles were more abundant at wave-exposed shores. We identified critical scales of spatial variation of an important species and linked population patterns to essential environmental predictors. Our results show that populations of this barnacle are coupled to scale-dependent oceanographic variation. This study offers insights into the mechanisms regulating coastal populations along a little studied coastline.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Pardal
- Center of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC (CCNH/UFABC), Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil; Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil.
| | - César A M M Cordeiro
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil; Marine Biology Department, Federal Fluminense University (LECAR/UFF), Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Áurea M Ciotti
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo (CEBIMar/USP), Rod. Manoel Hipólito do Rego, km 131.5, São Sebastião, SP, 1160-000, Brazil
| | - Stuart R Jenkins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Luis Giménez
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Michael T Burrows
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Ronaldo A Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP, 11070-100, Brazil
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Pardal A, Martinez AS, Christofoletti RA, Karythis S, Jenkins SR. Impacts of copper contamination on a rocky intertidal predator-prey interaction. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 162:111902. [PMID: 33341076 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Metal contamination can change ecological interactions with potential effects on community dynamics. However, understanding real effects of metals on biota relies on studies undertaken in natural conditions. Through a field experiment, we investigated the effects of copper contamination on the responses of a barnacle prey and its predator, the dogwhelk, and explicitly their interaction. Contamination increased barnacle mortality and reduced predation with no effects on interaction strength. This was because the higher mortality of the prey compensated for the lower consumption of the predator. Despite not affecting the interaction strength, these results suggest a decrease in energy flow in the trophic chain that may lead to important changes in community structure and ecosystem functioning. This study shows the importance of manipulative experiments designed to provide mechanistic insights into ecological interactions to better clarify the effect of stressors on the structure and dynamic of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Pardal
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC (CCNH/UFABC), Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP 09210-170, Brazil; Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, United Kingdom.
| | - Aline S Martinez
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo A Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Simon Karythis
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart R Jenkins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
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