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Bleaching events are becoming more frequent and intense worldwide. Southwestern Atlantic corals are considered stress-tolerant species that suffer less during bleaching episodes. Therefore, we investigated if the reef-building corals Mussismilia hispida and M. harttii are capable of spawning while fully bleached. We compared spermatozoa concentration and motility, egg diameter and embryo viability between seemingly healthy and bleached colonies for both species. Findings show that both species spawned viable gametes. Concentration and motility of newly-released spermatozoa were similar between healthy and bleached colonies for both species. Unlike M. hispida, a 10% reduction in size was found in egg diameter for M. harttii. Embryo viability for bleached M. hispida colonies did not decrease; for bleached M. harttii there was a reduction from 14.7 to 6.3%, but fertilization and larval development still took place. These findings describe the unprecedented episode of corals spawning viable gametes when entirely bleached, supporting the suggestion of greater resilience for Southwestern Atlantic corals.

The Southwestern Atlantic harbors unique reef environments with high proportions of endemic species. The most prominent reefs are located in the Abrolhos Bank, a 46,000 km2 extension of the South American continental shelf. However, just 100 km north of Abrolhos is the Royal Charlotte Bank (RCB), an area still poorly investigated. From a biological perspective, the only scientific information available is the historical record of lobster fisheries in the region. Hence, we performed an expedition to investigate what macrohabitats are found in the RCB and perform a preliminary biodiversity assessment. A dropcam was deployed in 67 sites and recorded images of macrohabitats and associated biodiversity. Four different macrohabitats were detected: rhodolith beds, macroalgal forests associated with rhodolith beds, calcareous sand deposits and coral reefs. The former two were the most frequent, and both rhodolith and macroalgae densities were higher on the outer shelf. A total of 83 species of fish, invertebrates and algae were identified, which comprises a comparatively high diversity for visual reef biodiversity assessments in the Southwestern Atlantic. Our findings show that the RCB is a large and diverse ecosystem complex mostly composed of rhodoliths, and also that it may be already undergoing anthropogenic impacts associated with climate change and fisheries. Therefore, further investigations are necessary to understand the extent of biodiversity and its main threats and evaluate the possible need of conservation and management measures.

Terrestrial runoff is a source of sediments and nutrients to coral reefs. Due to runoff, Brazilian reefs are typically turbid, and have coral species that are naturally turbidity-resistant. This study investigated how terrestrial input influences population and physiology for the coral Favia gravida on two reefs with differences in river mouth proximity in eastern Brazil. The population structure and physiological traits of F. gravida colonies were assessed on both reefs, then some colonies selected for a subsequent transplantation experiment. The reef less impacted by terrestrial influence showed higher population density and lower recruitment. At this site, the coral colonies displayed higher calcification and larger larvae. The reproductive effort between coral populations at the two sites showed no significant difference. The transplantation experiment confirmed the high physiological plasticity of F. gravida colonies at the more turbid reef site. Despite being regarded as a more challenging environment, where F. gravida has a lower population density, the reef closer to the river mouth appears to secure more nutrients, which may heterotrophically compensate its coral colonies.

Global impacts are affecting negatively coral reefs’ health worldwide. Ocean acidification associated with the increasing CO2 partial pressure in the atmosphere can potentially induce oxidative stress with consequent cellular damage in corals and hydrocorals. In the present study, parameters related to oxidative status were evaluated in the hydrocoral Millepora alcicornis exposed to three different levels of seawater acidification using a mesocosm system. CO2-driven acidification of seawater was performed until reaching 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 pH units below the current pH of seawater pumped from the coral reef adjacent to the mesocosm. Therefore, treatments corresponded to control (pH 8.1), mild (pH 7.8), intermediate (pH 7.5) and severe (pH 7.2) seawater acidification. After 0, 16 and 30 d of exposure, hydrocorals were collected and the following parameters were analyzed in the holobiont: antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), total glutathione (GSHt) concentration, reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl group (PC) levels. ACAP was increased in hydrocorals after 16 d of exposure to intermediate levels of seawater acidification. GSHt and GSH/GSSG did not change over the experimental period. LPO was increased at any level of seawater acidification, while PC content was increased in hydrocorals exposed to intermediate and severe seawater acidification for 30 d. These findings indicate that the antioxidant defense system of M. alcicornis is capable of coping with acidic conditions for a short period of time (16 d). Additionally, they clearly show that a long-term (30 d) exposure to seawater acidification induces oxidative stress with consequent oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, which could compromise hydrocoral health.

Symbiodinium are dinoflagellates engaged in a mutualistic symbiosis with multiple coral reef taxa. They are divided in nine different clades (A–I), which typically associate with different hosts. However, very little information is available on metabolic differences in Symbiodinium types, especially when associated with metazoan larvae. We tested whether three ω3 fatty acids (stearidonic acid, SDA; docosapentaenoic acid, DPA; and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) that are typically translocated from Symbiodinium to its host are produced by Symbiodinium types within clades A–F associated with Mussismilia hispida (scleractinian coral), Berghia stephanieae (nudibranch), and Tridacna crocea (giant clam) larvae. We acquired and spawned broodstock for each host, cultured their larvae, and offered Symbiodinium types belonging to clades A–F. Samples were taken during a 72-h window after the offer of Symbiodinium, and fatty acids were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography. The concentrations of SDA and DPA for all host larvae–dinoflagellate associations were low and variable, without trends. However, M. hispida planula larvae associated with Symbiodinium A1 and C1 had a statistically significant higher amount of DHA. The veliger larvae of B. stephanieae digested the Symbiodinium, and the amount of DHA remained constant throughout the experiment. The veliger larvae of T. crocea associated with Symbiodinium A1 and C1 also presented a higher amount of DHA, although not statistically different from the other types. These results show that Symbiodinium A1 and C1, in the case of M. hispida and T. crocea (which usually harbor strains within clades A and C), may contribute a small amount of DHA to the larvae of these organisms and form a stronger mutualism than other strains.

The Brazilian Continental Margin (BM) hosts one of the most poorly known deep-water fauna in the world, especially those referred to as habitat forming such as scleractinians and octocorallians (Cnidaria: Anthozoa). In waters deeper than 150 m, these anthozoans are the framework builders for coral reefs and coral gardens. Together, these habitats host the highest diversity of metazoans on the external shelf and slope. Although only a few surveys have been dedicated to the study of these organisms in the BM, it is known that Desmophyllum pertusum (former Lophelia pertusa), Solenosmilia variabilis, and Madrepora oculata form extensive reefs especially on the southern and southeastern regions. In the same way, Octocorallia representatives, such as those of the families Priminoidae, Clavulariidae, Plexauridae, Alcyoniidae, Isididae, Coralliidae, and Paragorgidae, also have great ecological importance at the BM and are particularly abundant at the northern and northeastern continental shelves and slope. In order to set a baseline for future research, the present chapter provides a historical review of the studies of these anthozoans from the BM, including a list of all records and their geographical and depth distributions. Based on part of these records, the BM distributional modeling of these organisms is predicted using habitat suitability models, which suggest that carbonate saturation state, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and particulate organic carbon are the main factors structuring habitat suitability along the BM. In addition, a comprehensive review of the studies focusing on reproduction of the main species occurring at the BM, a key process for the maintenance and renewal of coral populations and, therefore, design of marine protected areas, as well as the human-based impacts imposed to the habitats structured by these species, are provided.

Deep-sea coral reefs and coral habitats are hotspots of biodiversity and provide numerous resources for fishing, bioprospecting and science. The deep-water coral reefs and coral aggregates were first discovered in locations off the coast of Norway, in 1865. The increase of commercial operations in deep waters, and the use of advanced technology in offshore areas have revealed the true scale of deep-sea coral ecosystems of Europe, until then virtually unknown. From the 1990’s, there was a considerable increase in the number of important scientific contributions on deep-sea coral habitats. So, today is known that the occurrence of coral reefs is not restricted to shallow waters of tropical and subtropical regions and that there are deep-sea coral reefs spread out of the world, including Brazil. The goal of this study was to indicate the existence of potential areas of deep-sea coral reefs/habitats along the Brazilian coast, from records of occurrence of coral reef builders species (Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora oculata, Solenosmilia variabilis, Dendrophyllia alternata and Enallopsammia rostrata). The examination of the records/specimens demonstrated an extensive and almost continuous latitudinal distribution of the coral species along the Brazilian coast. Fishing is the main cause of impact to deep-sea coral reefs in several regions of the world. For more than a decade the deep demersal fishing has been held in Brazil and the extent of the impact caused by fishing nets, used by the boats close to the reefs, is unknown. The data presented here provide a contribution not only to the scientific community, but also to the decision makers regarding the uses of areas of the Brazilian shelf and slope, which represent reservoirs of rich marine biodiversity.

Coral reefs are diverse ecosystems relying on the presence of dinoflagellates (genus Symbiodinium), that are found in symbiotic association with multiple phyla and performing the majority of primary production. However, coral reefs are currently threatened by climate change and the increase in seawater temperature, which causes the bleaching phenomenon. While bleaching has been well documented for adult host organisms, it is still poorly understood in larval stages. We offered Symbiodinium types within clades A–F to the larvae of Mussismilia hispida (scleractinian coral), Berghia stephanieae (nudibranch) and Tridacna crocea (giant clam) and manipulated the temperature to 26, 29 or 32 °C. Samples were taken at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post-temperature increase, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) was extracted and its content measured in a fluorometer. Symbiodinium type, temperature and time all influenced chl-a content. M. hispida larvae displayed a bleaching threshold at 29 °C; larvae containing Symbiodinium A–F all bleached at 32 °C, but with significantly lower bleaching in larvae associated with type A1. B. stephanieae digested the symbionts; while chl-a content decreased over time equally for all clades, it is not possible to determine if it is related to bleaching. T. crocea larvae at 29 °C bleached for all symbiont types, except for A1. At 32 °C, all types were bleached, but type A1 bleached significantly less. These findings show that type A1 seems to be more thermo-tolerant in larvae of the tested species. This may be related to the fact that strains within this clade are homologous to both M. hispida and T. crocea, as they are found within these adult host’ tissues. Therefore, symbiont type may have an important role in invertebrate larvae development and present relevant implications for recruitment.

Based on literature review, recent surveys, and specimens’ identification, we examined benthic cnidarian species richness across the oceanic Trindade and Martin Vaz Archipelago (TMA), Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. A total of 37 species (three Hydrozoa and 34 Anthozoa) are reported, including seven new records. The zooxanthellate scleractinian corals Montastraea cavernosa, Mussismilia hispida, Mussismilia leptophylla and Siderastrea stellata were the most commonly found species, while some species, such as the azooxanthellate coral Polycyahtus sp., were only found at one site. Although Martin Vaz Island has a lower diversity (11 species) compared to Trindade Island (37 species), fewer studies have been conducted in the former. Likewise, research in the TMA has focused on shallow water communities (

The azooxanthellate sun coralsTubastraea coccineaandT. tagusensisare invasive species which were introduced into Brazilian shallow-water tropical rocky reefs by oil and gas platforms. Both species are simultaneous hermaphrodites and brooders. Histological analysis shows a continuous reproduction with the presence of different stages of development of oocytes, spermatic cysts and larvae occurring together in the same polyps (overlapping). Gametogenesis, embryogenesis, planulation and settlement were observed. Although most of the colonies showed only oocytes, none had only testes. Spermatic cysts were observed in 8.3% ofT. coccineacolonies and in 5.5% of colonies ofT. tagusensis. The maximum diameter of oocyte ofT. tagusensis(1252.5 µm) was greater thanT. coccinea(901.8 µm) and mature spermaries 700 µm in diameter formed the typical arrangement of ‘bouquets’. Although all colonies showed oocytes throughout the year, two reproductive peaks of 3–4 months duration were observed. The larvae ofT. coccineaandT. tagusensishad a competency period of 18 d in aquaria and settled near the parental colony. The investigation of gametogenesis, temporal patterns of reproduction, fecundity and sexual maturation helps to explain the rapid expansion in to new habitats and high population growth in these invasive sun corals.

The Hologenome theory of evolution (HTE), which is under fierce debate, presupposes that parts of the microbiome are transmitted from one generation to the next (vertical transmission – VT), which may also influence the evolution of the holobiont. Even though bacteria have previously been described in early life stages of corals, these early life stages (larvae) could have been inoculated in the water and not inside the parental colony (through gametes) carrying the parental microbiome. How Symbiodinium is transmitted to offspring is also not clear, as only one study has described this mechanism in spawners. All other studies refer to incubators. To explore the VT hypothesis and the key components being transferred, colonies of the broadcast spawner species Mussismilia hispida were kept in nurseries until spawning. Gamete bundles, larvae and adult corals were analyzed to identify their associated microbiota with respect to composition and location. Symbiodinium and bacteria were detected by sequencing in gametes and coral planula larvae. However, no cells were detected using microscopy at the gamete stage, which could be related to the absence of those cells inside the oocytes/dispersed in the mucus or to a low resolution of our approach. A preliminary survey of Symbiodinium diversity indicated that parental colonies harbored Symbiodinium clades B, C and G, whereas only clade B was found in oocytes and planula larvae (5 days after fertilization (a.f.). The core bacterial populations found in the bundles, coral early life stage and parental colonies were identified as members of the genera Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Ralstonia, Inquilinus and Bacillus, suggesting that these populations could be vertically transferred through the mucus. The collective data suggest that spawner corals, such as M. hispida, can transmit Symbiodinium cells and the bacterial core to their offspring by a coral gamete (and that this gamete, with its bacterial load, is released into the water), supporting the HTE. However, more data are required to indicate the stability of the transmitted populations to indicate whether the holobiont can be considered a unit of natural selection or a symbiotic assemblage of independently evolving organisms.

Coral reefs are at risk due to events associated with human activities, which have resulted in the increasing occurrence of coral diseases. Corals live in symbiotic relationships with different microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria, a very important group. Members of the phylum Cyanobacteria are found in great abundance in the marine environment and may play an essential role in keeping corals healthy but may also be pathogenic. Furthermore, some studies are showing a rise in cyanobacterial abundance in coral reefs as a result of climate change. The current study aimed to improve our understanding of the relationship between cyanobacteria and coral health. Our results revealed that the cyanobacterial genus GPI (Anabaena) is a possible opportunistic pathogen of the coral species Millepora alcicornis in the South Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, the bacterial and microeukaryotic profile of healthy, diseased, and post-disease (skeletal) regions of affected coral indicated that a microbial consortium composed of Anabaena sp., Prosthecochloris sp., and microeukaryotes could be involved in this pathogenicity or could be taking advantage of the diseased state.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been found to produce anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of disorders. Tendinopathies are directly related to unbalance in expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines which are responsible by degeneration process of tendinocytes. In the current study, we decided to investigate if LLLT could reduce mRNA expression for TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β cytokines, and COX-2 enzyme. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided randomly in seven groups, and tendinitis was induced with a collagenase intratendinea injection. The mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR in 7th and 14th days after tendinitis. LLLT irradiation with wavelength of 780 nm required for 75 s with a dose of 7.7 J/cm(2) was administered in distinct moments: 12 h and 7 days post tendinitis. At the 12 h after tendinitis, the animals were irradiated once in intercalate days until the 7th or 14th day in and them the animals were killed, respectively. In other series, 7 days after tendinitis, the animals were irradiated once in intercalated days until the 14th day and then the animals were killed. LLLT in both acute and chronic phases decreased IL-6, COX-2, and TGF-β expression after tendinitis, respectively, when compared to tendinitis groups: IL-6, COX-2, and TGF-β. The LLLT not altered IL-1β expression in any time, but reduced the TNF-α expression; however, only at chronic phase. We conclude that LLLT administered with this protocol reduces one of features of tendinopathies that is mRNA expression for pro-inflammatory mediators.

Mussismilia braziliensisis endemic to the south-western Atlantic, where it plays an important role as a major reef builder. It occurs in a wide range of sediment conditions between coastal and offshore environments. Here, we investigated its reproductive effort along an inshore–offshore gradient. Three sites were sampled with varying distances (15 to 60 km) from the mainland in the Abrolhos Reef Complex (18° S). Reproductive effort was estimated as fecundity (number of eggs per: polyp, cm2, mm3, and mesenteries). Mean fecundity per polyp was 338.7 (±73.5 SD) and the highest number of eggs per polyp was 987. Percentages of fertile mesenteries per polyp were similar among sites. However, the fecundity per mesentery varied among colonies and among sites. Fecundity per polyp increased as its area, volume, height and number of fertile mesenteries increases. The area closest to the coast (‘Pedra de Leste’) presented the highest mean fecundity per polyp (410 eggs ± 159.2 SD), cm2(233.47 eggs ± 219.44 SD), mm3(4.95 eggs ± 2.34 SD) and mesentery (10.6 eggs ± 4.3 SD). Corals closest to the coast had 55% higher fecundity per polyp and 64% higher fecundity per cm2than corals offshore. This area presented the highest contribution of non-carbonate sediments deposited on the reefs. Therefore, we suggest that colonies ofM. braziliensismay present higher uptake rates of particulate matter at inshore reefs, which allow for higher rates of tissue growth (less nutrient limitation) and energy allocation to reproduction.

The Southwest Atlantic continental margin between latitudes 21 and 23° S comprises the Campos Basin area. Its continental shelf is some 100 km wide, with the slope starting between 80 and 130 m in depth. The slope is about 40 km wide, extending deeper to the south (2000 m) than to the north (1500 m). Water masses influencing the area include (1) surficial tropical water (TW), 250 to 300 m depth; (2) South Atlantic central water (SACW), below TW 300 to 550 m; (3) Antarctic inter- mediate water (AIW), between 550 and 1200 m depth; and (4) North Atlantic deep water (NADW), 1200 to 3500 m depth. Distributions of octocorals (25 genera, 32 species/morphotypes) and stony corals (27, 11) and associations among taxa and with water masses were analyzed. Different commu- nities were found over 3 depth ranges. Complete dissimilarity was observed between the continental shelf margin/upper slope and the middle-lower slope. The shallower depth range (52 to 760 m) was influenced by TW, SACW and the upper limit of AIW, while 11 species/morphotypes occurred exclu- sively in the middle depths (1000 to 1200 m), under the sole influence of AIW. No species were exclu- sive to the deepest depth range (1200 to 1605 m), which is bathed by NADW. Middle slope areas were distinct from one another, while lower slope areas were more homogeneous. Co-occurrences of spe- cies indicate the type of environment they live in, as soft or hard bottoms. One group of species indicative of cold-water coral communities includes Lophelia pertusa, Enallopsammia spp., Coral- lium niobe and Paragorgia johnsonii.

Colony size-frequency distributions of reef corals may be used to infer growth potential and population responses upon environmental changes. The present paper compares the size structure of colonies of Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868,among 11 sites, six of them distributed along a gradient of sediment deposition in Abrolhos, Bahia, Brazil (18º S). Results indicated that the population structure is likely to be influenced by local conditions, rather than large scale factors, such as latitude. The 11 distributions, however, showed higher frequencies of small size classes. Class 1 (up to 2.5 cm diameter) was always present and the frequency of colonies from size class 3 (10 cm diameter) tended to decrease in all sites. Comparison among the six Abrolhos sites showed that S. stellata has advantages at sites with intermediate sedimentation, where colonies attain larger sizes, probably, reflecting a higher survivorship over time. The present study showed that, despite the influence of environmental conditions on parameters of the populations such as size of colony, the life history strategy of S. stellata reflects a local adaptation that allows its development and survivorship in shallow waters and horizontal substrates, sites characterized by high mortality rates.Distribuições de freqüências de classes de tamanho de colônias de corais recifais, associadas a dados de fecundidade e crescimento, podem ser utilizadas para inferir o potencial de crescimento e respostas da população frente às variações ambientais. Apresentamos análise da estrutura de tamanho de colônias do coral Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868, em 11 locais, seis desses distribuídos ao longo de um gradiente de sedimentação em Abrolhos, Bahia, Brasil (18ºS). Os resultados demonstraram ausência de um padrão latitudinal, indicando maior influência de fatores locais. Em Abrolhos, locais com taxas de deposição de sedimento intermediárias apresentaram os maiores coeficientes de variação e tamanhos médios, indicando condições mais propícias para o desenvolvimento de populações desse coral na região. As 11 distribuições, porém, apresentaram maior freqüência de classes pequenas. A classe 1 (colônias com diâmetro médio de até 2,5cm) ocorreu em todos os locais. A partir da classe 3 (10 cm em diâmetro) as freqüências diminuíram consideravelmente. Esses dados, associados ao fato da espécie se reproduzir cedo e incubar larva, refletem uma estratégia de sobrevivência, em águas rasas e substratos horizontais, caracterizada por alta taxa de mortalidade e tempo de vida curto.

Summary This paper presents the first study of the life history of a Brazilian reef coral, with reference to Siderastrea stellata. Fecundity and growth rate were determined for four colony size classes collected from the Itacolomis Reefs, Brazil (16°53.816′S; 039° 04.965′W). Colony size-frequency distribution was analyzed to evaluate the potential for maintenance, growth and recovery of the population. The fecundity of size class 1 (up to 2.5 cm in diameter or 5 cm2) was significantly lower than that of the other three classes, which did not differ among themselves (averaging 8 oocytes/polyp). Colonies with less than 1.8 cm in diameter (or 2.5 cm2) did not have gametes. The number of mature polyps tended to increase with colony size: some polyps of class 2 (2.5 12.6 cm diameter) were always fertile. The linear extension was similar among the four size classes, being around 2.5 mm per yea...

Using histological analysis, the reproductive pattern of Mussismilia hispida, a zooxanthellate coral species endemic to the Brazilian coast, was verified. Fragments from two tagged colonies and ten haphazardly chosen colonies were collected monthly, from April 1989 to March 1990, at Praia da Tartaruga, Buzios, Rio de Janeiro state. The results showed that M. hispida is a sequential hermaphroditic species with a broadcast-spawning mode of reproduction. Small immature oocytes were first observed in April 1989 while early spermatic cysts were found in December 1989. After entering the mesoglea, the largest oocytes increase in size by incorporating the smallest ones into their cytoplasm. Mature oocytes and spermaries occurred concomitantly on the same fertile mesenteries during summer, and disappeared from some samples between February 1990 and March 1990 (late summer/early autumn). Gonad maturation occurred with increasing seawater temperature, suggesting seasonal synchrony in the reproductive cycle. Not all oocytes reached their full development, and some were resorbed after a short period of degeneration. No zooxanthellae were found in pre-spawn oocytes, which characteristically had a large amount of vitelline material and a peripheral germ vesicle.

The current contribution deals with the reproductive biology of a genus endemic to Brazil –Mussismilia Ortmann, 1890 – including all three species of the genus: M. braziliensis (Verrill, 1868), M. hartti (Verrill, 1868), and M. hispida (Verrill, 1902), which occur sympatrically in the studied area, the Abrolhos Reef Complex, Brazil. Sexuality patterns, modes of reproduction, synchrony and spawning periods are reported, and were determined by histological examination of material. All three species started to develop female and male gametes over different periods in the same breeding season. The three species are probably broadcast spawners, since no embryos or planulae were observed in any species at any given time of the year. Each reproductive cycle lasted approximately 11 months. Oogenesis and spermatogenesis started in different periods, with spermaries appearing in approximately the eighth month of ovary development and lasting about 3 months. Reproductive cycles were annual. Spawning probably occurred in consecutive months in each species. In M. braziliensis, spawning presumably happened between March and the middle of May in 1996 and 1997. Evidence suggested that spawning events of M. hispida took place between the end of April and mid-June. M. hartti may have spawned between September and November. The data presented here suggested that all studied species have at least one exclusive spawning period, asynchronically with the others. A possible exception may be the simultaneous (or close) spawnings of M. braziliensis and M. hispida in May. It is suggested that asynchrony in spawning periods among species may reduce the chance of hybridization, gamete waste and the competition for settlement surfaces. The occurrence of extended spawning periods for each species may also reduce the risks of reproductive failure, due to temporary adverse conditions.

Most studies on sexual reproduction of scleractinian corals in Brazil have been concentrated in a single population or in a small area (Pires et al., 1999; Francini et al., 2002; Neves & Pires, 2002; Pires & Caparelli, 2002; Pires et al., 2002; Lins-de-Barros et al., 2003). The present paper presents a comparison of the sexual reproductive status of six populations of the Brazilian scleractinian coral Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868. The six studied sites are distributed along a gradient of latitude of 20 in the Southwestern Tropical Atlantic Ocean, comprising areas throughout almost the whole species geographical distribution (Fig. 1).

The marine ecosystem is able to provide enormous biomolecule diversity that could be used for treatment of various diseases. In this highly competitive environment, organisms need chemical barriers to reduce or avoid microorganism contamination. Among the molecules that protect these animals the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are included. In the present study, crude extracts of coral coral specimens Carijoa riisei, Muriceopsis sulphurea, Neospongodes atlantica, Palythoa caribeorum, Phyllogorgia dilatata and Plexaurella grandiflora were challenged against multiple Grampositive and -negative bacteria showing different activities. P. dilatata crude extract showed the antibacterial activity, and was ammonium-sulfate (0-40%) fractionated, being able to control the growth of K. pneumoniae, S. flexineri and S. aureus. Rich-fraction was further purified by using Amicon® Ultra Centrifugal 10 kDa associated with reversed-phase HPLC chromatography (C18), producing the peptide named Pd-AMP1. Pd-AMP1 was able to inhibit S. aureus development. Mass spectrometry analyses showed a monoisotopic mass of 5372.66 Da and N-terminal sequence showed no significant match with databank. In this view, the prospecting of protein biomolecules and biotechnological potential from marine animals is still little explored and may serve as an alternative to common antibiotics.

This study aimed to test different protocols for the extraction of microbial DNA from the coral Mussismilia harttii. Four different commercial kits were tested, three of them based on methods for DNA extraction from soil (FastDNA SPIN Kit for soil, MP Bio, PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit, MoBio, and ZR Soil Microbe DNA Kit, Zymo Research) and one kit for DNA extraction from plants (UltraClean Plant DNA Isolation Kit, MoBio). Five polyps of the same colony of M. harttii were macerated and aliquots were submitted to DNA extraction by the different kits. After extraction, the DNA was quantified and PCR-DGGE was used to study the molecular fingerprint of Bacteria and Eukarya. Among the four kits tested, the ZR Soil Microbe DNA Kit was the most efficient with respect to the amount of DNA extracted, yielding about three times more DNA than the other kits. Also, we observed a higher number and intensities of DGGE bands for both Bacteria and Eukarya with the same kit. Considering these results, we suggested that the ZR Soil Microbe DNA Kit is the best adapted for the study of the microbial communities of corals.

Summary The first record of coral spawning in the South Atlantic was observed among Mussismilia hispida colonies at the “Laje de Santos” (24°19′ S, 046°11′ W). Several colonies were observed spawning for about 15 min, early on the night of April 29, 2000. Some colonies did not spawn and no colonies were observed spawning later than circa 20:00 h. The report of M. hispida spawning in Santos came from the southernmost area of occurrence of this species. Data from this record are compared with those from previous studies on the reproduction of this species.

Caryophylliidae Dana, 1846 and Dendrophylliidae Gray, 1847 are families of widespread hard corals (order Scleractinia) composed mainly of azooxanthellate corals. A growing body of molecular data has provided new insights on hard-coral evolution, suggesting that many of the traditionally recognized families are not monophyletic. The morphology of the skeletal parts has been the only source of evidence for the taxonomy of the group for many years. Soft anatomy has been less explored, and recently, with the increased use of molecular evidence, anatomical studies have decreased in importance. As a result, for many taxa, we know little or nothing about variation in soft tissue morphology and their use for systematics has never been explored. In this study we examined the cnidocysts of two species of caryophylliids and of four dendrophylliids, and synthesized previous studies on the subject. We performed a morphological phylogenetic analysis, based on eight informative characters, which includes eight species of dendrophylliids and 11 caryophylliid taxa. Five taxa belonging to the families Poritidae, Flabellidae, and Fungiacyathidae were also scored for these morphological characters. The aims were to investigate the diversity of cnidocysts in members of the two families and test the monophyly of Dendrophylliidae. The data support a dendrophylliid clade and indicate the presence of b-rhabdoids (1) in mesenterial filaments as a synapomorphy of the family. The taxonomic distribution of two other characters contradicts the clade (Dendrophylliidae + Poritidae) suggested by molecular analyses. Our results reinforce the relevance of soft tissue studies in hard-corals to reconstructing their phylogeny.