Macrofauna associada a Millepora alcicornis Linnaeus, 1758 (CnidÃria: Hydrozoa) em Ãreas sobre diferentes nÃveis de influÃncia do turismo subaquÃtico na Ãrea de proteÃÃo ambiental estadual dos recifes de coral (RN) / Macrofauna associated with Millepora alcicornis Linnaeus, 1758 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in areas on different levels of influence of underwater tourism in the state environmental protection of coral reefs (RN)

Tatiane Martins Garcia

The limestone of the genus hidrÃide Mil / epora occurs in tropical regions around the planet as a regular component of coral reefs. MilÃporas are found at depths less than 1 to 40 m. The live coral create a rich variety of habitats for many species by providing substrate for sedentary organisms and food or shelter for the bodies moving. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify all the macrofauna found in colonies of Mil / epora a / cicornis Area of Protection of Coral Reefs of the State (RN). The 26 samples were collected manually through autonomous diving in depths from 1 to 3 m. In the period from July to November 2004 and February 2005, the colonies were surrounded by plastic bags and then extracted from the substrate with the aid of hammer and chisel. Subsequently, the samples were fixed with formalin 4%. In the laboratory, the colonies were tested for the withdrawal of epibiontes and then carefully to remove fragmented fauna Perforating. 1234 individuals were recorded and 95 species of non-colonial groups of Crustacea, Echinodermata, Mollusca, Nemertea, and Sipuncula Polychaeta, and 86 colonies and 26 species of organisms colonial taxa of Cnidaria, Porifera and Tunicata. The crustaceans had the highest number of individuals and species, followed by polychaetes and molluscs. According to Spearman correlation coefficient, the number of individuals and species of non-colonial increases associated with the growth of the colony. Regarding colonial fauna, tunicates owned the largest number of colonies and Porifera, greater number of species. The epifauna of non-colonial and colonial groups was larger that endofauna. Comparisons between milÃporas and coral escleractÃnios can be drawn due to a possible functional convergence of these taxa. You can assume that the associations with corals do not depend exclusively on the host species, as different species inhabit the same species of coral in different regions. Probably the most important role exercise substrate, which forms promote the formation of distinct habitats.

AUTOR(ES)

FONTE

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

RESUMO

ASSUNTO(S)

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

Documentos Relacionados