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This repository contains the data and R codes used in the study "Functional diversity patterns of reef fish, corals and algae in the Brazilian biogeographical province" (Journal of Biogeography). We are attaching to this repository the results of functional diversity analyses, model selection analysis and output. We set an embargo to the whole project because a dataset (coral traits) cannot be released up to February 2024.

The scleractinian reef building coral Madracis decactis is a cosmopolitan species. Understanding host–symbiont associations is critical for assessing coral’s habitat requirements and its response to environmental changes. In this study, we performed a fine grained phylogenetic analyses of Symbiodiniaceae associated with Madracis in two locations in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (Abrolhos Bank and St. Peter and St. Paul Archipelago). Previous studies have argued that Madracis is a specialist coral, with colonies harboring a single symbiont from the genus Breviolum (formerly clade B). However, these previous studies have not precisely addressed if Madracis is colonized by several types of Symbiodiniaceae simultaneously or whether this coral is a specialist. The hypothesis that Madracis is a generalist coral host was evaluated in the present study. A total of 1.9 million reads of ITS2 nuclear ribosomal DNA were obtained by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. While Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 sequences between two sampling depths were almost entirely (62%) from the genus Breviolum (formerly clade B), shallow (10–15 m) populations in Abrolhos had a greater diversity of ITS2 sequences in comparison to deeper (25–35 m) populations of St. Peter and St. Paul Archipelago. Cladocopium (formerly clade C) and Symbiodinium (formerly clade A) were also found in Abrolhos. A single Madracis colony can host different symbiont types with > 30 Symbiodiniaceae ITS2-type profiles. Abrolhos corals presented a higher photosynthetic potential as a possible result of co-occurrence of multiple Symbiodiniaceae in a single coral colony. Multiple genera/clades of Symbiodiniaceae possibly confer coral hosts with broader environmental tolerance and ability to occupy diverse or changing habitats.

Southwestern Atlantic reefs (Brazilian Province) occur along a broad latitudinal range (∼5°N-27°S) and under varied environmental conditions. We combined large-scale benthic cover and environmental data into uni- and multivariate regression tree analyses to identify unique shallow (30 m) benthic reef communities and their environmental drivers along the Brazilian Province. Turbidity was the leading environmental driver of benthic reef communities, with the occurrence of two main groups: clear-water (dominated by fleshy macroalgae) and turbid (dominated by turf algae). Seven out of 14 scleractinian coral species were more abundant in the turbid group, thus corroborating the photophobic nature of some Brazilian corals. The most abundant scleractinian in Brazil (Montastraea cavernosa), largely dominated (71-93% of total coral cover) both, the shallow turbid and deeper clear-water reefs. Because these habitat types are widely recognized as potential climate refuges, local threats (e.g. pollution, overfishing) should be averted.

Marginal reefs sustain coral assemblages under conditions considered suboptimal for most corals, resulting in low coral abundance. These reefs are inhabited by numerous fishes with a generally unknown degree of association with corals that might lead to the assumption that corals play minor roles in determining fish occurrence, when corals could be actually sustaining diverse and resilient assemblages. Using site-occupancy models fitted to data of 113 reef fish species of different life stages (adults and juveniles) from 36 reefs distributed across the Southwestern Atlantic (0.87–27.6°S) we first assessed fish assemblage’s response to coral and turf algal cover, and identified coral-associated fish. Then, we simulated the loss of coral-associated fishes and contrasted it with random losses, providing inferences on the resilience of fish assemblage’s functional trait space to species loss. The entire fish assemblage responded more positively to coral than to turf algae, with 42 (37%) species being identified as coral-associated fish. The simulated loss of coral-associated fish reduced up to 5% the functional trait space and was not different from the random loss. These results reveal that marginal reefs of Southwestern Atlantic reefs host resilient fish assemblages that might preserve fundamental ecological functions and ecosystem services even with coral declines.

Manta rays are marine planktivorous elasmobranchs that are distributed worldwide and highly susceptible to overexploitation. Although they are legally protected in Brazil since March 2013, incidental and intentional captures still occur. The sharp population decline following the intensification of targeted fisheries and bycatch highlights the urgent need of manta ray protection. This study provides information on several threats to manta rays (Mobula birostris and M. cf. birostris) in Brazil, including the frequency and geographic extent of the occurrences and their fishing and entanglement with fishing gear. We analysed photo/video records, and the scientific literature reporting mobulids incidence and focused on events of entanglement in fishing gear, intentional and incidental caught of manta rays, obtained from 2000 to 2020. From a total of 270 records of manta rays’ occurrences, 70 displayed wounds from anthropogenic activities, including 29 lethal records. Most of the injured individuals were recorded in the State of Sao Paulo (31.4%; n = 22), followed by Pernambuco (20.0%; n = 14), Rio de Janeiro (10.0%; n = 7), Bahia (8.6%; n = 6), Rio Grande do Norte (7.1%; n = 5), and Espirito Santo (5.7%; n = 4). Despite outnumbered, all manta rays’ occurrences in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceara, Sergipe, Para, Piaui and Santa Catarina showed individuals either captured by fishers, with body scars or dragging fishing artefacts. The majority (61.4%) of injured individuals were recorded after the national protected status was implemented to the family Mobulidae, and all injuries observed were consequences of anthropogenic action. Our results highlight the diverse sources of threat and injuries patterns for manta rays in the nationwide territory and underscore the urgent need for monitoring fishing impacts and promoting effective enforcement of the national regulation for the protection of manta rays in Brazil.

Coral reefs globally are threatened by climate change, but reef assemblages at high latitudes may serve as refugia. Marginal coral communities located in the subtropical Southwestern Atlantic are poorly studied, but were subject to an unprecedented heatwave and associated coral bleaching in 2019. Record values of 18.5 and 20.5 °C-weeks were registered for coastal and insular sites, which are the highest ever documented for a reef in the South Atlantic. As a consequence, approximately 80% and 20% of the population of the reef-building coral Mussismilia hispida (1116 colonies surveyed) underwent bleaching in coastal and insular sites, respectively. However, mortality (2%) was far lower than for episodes of similar magnitude in other regions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, the subtropical Southwestern Atlantic MCC displayed low mortality and remarkable tolerance when exposed to the most intense bleaching episode ever recorded for the region, reinforcing its potential as a refugium.

The Great Amazon Reef (GARS) is an extensive mesophotic reef ecosystem between Brazil and the Caribbean. Despite being considered as one of the most important mesophotic reef ecosystems of the South Atlantic, recent criticism on the existence of a living reef in the Amazon River mouth was raised by some scientists and politicians. The region is coveted for large-scale projects for oil and gas exploration. Here, we add to the increasing knowledge about the GARS by exploring evolutionary aspects of the reef using primary and secondary information on radiocarbon dating from carbonate samples. The results obtained demonstrate that the reef is alive and growing, with living organisms inhabiting the GARS in its totality. Additional studies on net reef growth, habitat diversity, and associated biodiversity are urgently needed to help reconcile economic activities and biodiversity conservation.

The existence of a reef system composed by crustose coralline algae and scleractinian corals, under the influence of the world's largest freshwater plume, led us to investigate how much light is available for reef-building organisms at the bottom of the Amazon shelf. We analyzed ocean color data from MODIS Aqua to assess the plume dynamics and estimate the benthic light availability over the Amazon shelf. These methods may be applied to other river-dominated shelves. Four zones were detected regarding the bottom light regime. The seasonal changes of the dynamic forcing over the shelf reflect little in the light parameters over the Amazon shelf. Three zones presented constant light regimes along the year: dark coastal zone under the permanent influence of the plume; dim-light zone in the deeper northern shelf; and high-light zone in the shallower southern shelf. Only one zone presented a seasonally changing benthic light regime, and it was located under the seasonally variable edge of the plume over the northern mid-to-outer shelf. The minimum light level estimated in the deeper dim-light zone was ∼2 μE m−2 s−1 which is sufficient for reef-building organisms to thrive. The cause of the incipient living coverage and low vitality of crustose coralline algae, previously reported in the northern shelf, cannot be attributed to a lack of light, but might be related to sedimentation processes associated to the plume. Thus, the potential, in terms of light, for reef builders to develop along this and other river-influenced margins is much greater than previously anticipated.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary strategy for marine conservation worldwide, having as a common goal the protection of essential habitats to enhance fish population recovery. However, MPAs alone may not be effective because species are not isolated from critical impacts occurring outside their boundaries. We evaluated how protecting critical nursery habitats affect the population of an important fishing target, using a 6-year database to predict juvenile hotspots and estimate population trends of the endemic and endangered parrotfish Scarus trispinosus within a mosaic of MPAs at the Abrolhos Bank, NE Brazil. We found that important nursery habitats are within no-take areas, but both juvenile and adult populations still show a declining trend over time. MPAs failed to ensure population maintenance and recovery likely due to overfishing in adjacent areas and the lack of compliance to management rules within multiple-use and within no-take MPAs. MPAs alone are not enough to protect ecologically important endangered species, but is still one of the only conservation strategies, particularly in developing countries. Our results shed light on the need for a wider adoption of more effective conservation policies in addition to MPAs, both in Brazil and in countries with similar governance contexts.

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.

AIM: As a step towards providing support for an ecological approach to strengthening marine protected areas (MPAs) and meeting international commitments, this study combines cumulative impact assessment and conservation planning approach to undertake a large‐scale spatial prioritization. LOCATION: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Brazil, Southwest Atlantic Ocean. METHODS: We developed a prioritization approach to protecting different habitat types, threatened species ranges and ecological connectivity, while also mitigating the impacts of multiple threats on biodiversity. When identifying priorities for conservation, we accounted for the co‐occurrence of 24 human threats and the distribution of 161 marine habitats and 143 threatened species, as well as their associated vulnerabilities. Additionally, we compared our conservation priorities with MPAs proposed by local stakeholders. RESULTS: We show that impacts to habitats and species are widespread and identify hot spots of cumulative impacts on inshore and offshore areas. Industrial fisheries, climate change and land‐based activities were the most severe threats to biodiversity. The highest priorities were mostly found towards the coast due to the high cumulative impacts found in nearshore areas. As expected, our systematic approach showed a better performance on selecting priority sites when compared to the MPAs proposed by local stakeholders without a typical conservation planning exercise, increasing the existing coverage of MPAs by only 7.9%. However, we found that proposed MPAs still provide some opportunities to protect areas facing high levels of threats. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The study presents a blueprint of how to embrace a comprehensive ecological approach when identifying strategic priorities for conservation. We advocate protecting these crucial areas from degradation in emerging conservation efforts is key to maintain their biodiversity value.

The scleractinian reef building coral Madracis decactis is a cosmopolitan species. Understanding host–symbiont associations is critical for assessing the coral’s habitat occupancy and it’s response to environmental changes. In this study, we performed fine grained phylogenetic analyzes of Symbiodiniaceae algae associated with Madracis across a broad latitudinal gradient in the SW Atlantic (Abrolhos Bank, and St. Peter and St. Paul Archipelago). Previous studies have argued that Madracis is a specialist coral, with colonies harboring a single symbiont type B. However, these previous studies have not precisely addressed if Madracis is colonized by several types of Symbiodiniaceae simultaneously, or if whether this coral is a specialist. The hypothesis that Madracis is a generalist coral host was evaluated in the present study. A total of 1.9 million reads of ITS2 nuclear ribosomal DNA were obtained by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. ITS2 sequences were classified into Clades A, B, and C in Abrolhos, and only clade B symbionts recorded in St. Peter and St. Paul. This study also demonstrate that a single Madracis colony can host different symbiont types with >30 Symbiodiniaceae species. Abrolhos corals presented a higher photosynthetic potential as a possible result of co-occurrence of multiple Symbiodiniaceae in a single coral colony. Multiple clades of Symbiodiniaceae possibly confer coral hosts with broader environmental tolerance and ability to occupy diverse or changing habitats.

Although several studies on the ichthyofauna of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago have been carried out, its mesophotic fish diversity has never been surveyed before. Here we used SCUBA and technical rebreather diving, baited remote underwater videos and remotely operated vehicle to record shallow (≤ 30 m depth) and mesophotic (31 to 150 m depth) fishes. Nineteen fish species belonging to 14 families are reported here as new records, representing an increase of 8.2% in marine fish richness for the region, which now has a total of 250 species and 77 families. These new records include four potential new species and highlight the importance of surveying mesophotic ecosystems, even in well studied sites. Our results also emphasize the need for protection and attention to the unique ichthyofauna found at mesophotic depths. Resumo Apesar de muitos estudos sobre a ictiofauna do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha terem sido realizados, sua diversidade de peixes mesofóticos nunca foi estudada antes. Neste estudo utilizamos mergulho autônomo e mergulho técnico, vídeos subaquáticos remotos com isca e veículo operado remotamente para registrar peixes de ecossistemas rasos (≤ 30 m de profundidade) e mesofóticos (31 a 150 m de profundidade). Dezenove espécies de peixes pertencentes a 14 famílias são apresentadas aqui como novos registros, representando um aumento de 8,2% na riqueza de peixes marinhos da região, que agora possui um total de 250 espécies e 77 famílias. Esses novos registros incluem quatro prováveis novas espécies e reforçam a importância de estudos em ecossistemas mesofóticos. Nossos resultados também enfatizam a necessidade de proteção e atenção à essa ictiofauna única encontrada nesses ecossistemas profundos.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary strategy for marine conservation worldwide, having as a common goal the protection of essential habitats to enhance fish population recovery. However, MPAs alone may not be effective because species are not isolated from critical impacts occurring outside their boundaries. We evaluated how protecting critical nursery habitats affect the population of an important fishing target, using a 6-year database to predict juvenile hotspots and estimate population trends of the endemic and endangered parrotfish Scarus trispinosus within a mosaic of MPAs at the Abrolhos Bank, NE Brazil. We found that important nursery habitats are within no-take areas, but both juvenile and adult populations still show a declining trend over time. MPAs failed to ensure population maintenance and recovery likely due to overfishing in adjacent areas and the lack of compliance to management rules within multiple-use and within no-take MPAs. MPAs alone are not enough to protect ecologically important endangered species, but is still one of the only conservation strategies, particularly in developing countries. Our results shed light on the need for a wider adoption of more effective conservation policies in addition to MPAs, both in Brazil and in countries with similar governance contexts., SI

In June 5–9, 2017, during the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference, 143 governments, signatory parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) declared their commitment and strategies to reach several objectives of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which stands to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. In a relatively short time frame, the parties have committed to develop marine spatial planning, enforce sustainable management and protection of marine ecosystems, conserve at least 10% of the world's marine habitats, end overfishing, provide access for small-scale fishers, reduce marine pollution and ocean acidification, among others ambitious goals. The ocean has been included in the Paris Agreement, the subsequent Global Climate Action Agenda in 2015, and the 23rd Conference of the Parties of the UN (COP23), held in November 2017, which has assessed the global progress toward the SDG14, organizing several action plans. The UN seems optimistic with the progress achieved towards SDG 14, suggesting that overfishing has slowed down in the past 10 years and that over 8.4% of the world's exclusive economic zones are under protection. However, only a small fraction of that is under strong protection and many priority areas are still unprotected. In addition, major challenges presented by signatory governments are slowing down or compromising the achievement of the 14 SDG targets. Despite the challenges, we envision hope towards the sustainability of the world's marine biodiversity, where managers, scientists, and stakeholders work together to defend biodiversity, ecosystem services, and resources that the world depends on.

The present study performed geochemical fractioning of major and minor elements in a cross-shelf gradient of the Abrolhos Bank, where the largest and most diverse coral reefs in the South Atlantic are concentrated. The fractioning was performed using sequential extractions to determine the degree of availability and toxicity of the elements. The mobility pattern of the elements investigated were in the following order: Ca > Mn > Pb > Cr > Zn > Fe > V > Cu > Ba>Al > Ni > Ti. For elements, such as (Ti, Ni, Al, Ba, Cu, V, Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb), the highest concentrations were in the residual phase at some sampling sites. As established by Environment Canada (Threshold Effect Level - TEL and Probable Effect Level - PEL), Ba, Cr, and Ni produced values higher than the limits, associated with higher concentrations of other elements. In addition, significant proportions of these elements were found in mobile phases in the same sites. Thus, more rigorous measures are critical to avoid alarming levels of chronic environmental pollution inside and outside protected areas of the region. To enhance the sustainability of the region, more effective enforcement is crucial to prevent anthropic contamination that may threaten its biodiversity. The results provide the baseline for future studies regarding the potential impacts of the breach of the tailings dam in the region of Mariana, Minas Gerais.

Continental margin sedimentation represents the terrestrial-marine geological transition. Coarser coastal sediments usually transition to fine-grained sediments across the shelf as the energy level decreases. As the distance from the continental source of terrigenous sediments increases, the mid-shelf mud belt transitions to a seaward organic/carbonatic sedimentation domain. However, this general pattern might change depending on the terrigenous sediment load. This is the case for the Amazon continental shelf, where the Amazon River empties and builds up the large Amazon River plume (ARP). The ARP promotes an inverse pattern with muddy nearshore prodelta sediments and siliciclastic sands offshore. This study investigates water and bottom characteristics to the east of the Amazon River mouth to understand the complex interplay that leads to simultaneous massive river plume spread and mesophotic reef development. Three cross-self profiles were performed, including physical-chemical water column measurements and bottom sample collection. The profiles were approximately 150 km apart, comprising a longitudinal gradient off of the ARP. The results reassure that there is enough light for mesophotic reefs to grow at the outer shelf and that at the mid-shelf, large-scale sand movement is likely to be the major limiting control on reef accretion. Also, mesophotic conditions (i.e., low light levels) occur in shallower waters, where a trend of reef expansion was identified, but high-energy levels and the lack of hard substrates hinder reef expansion.

Despite a vast number of studies about shallow reef fish assemblages, and an increasing amount of studies about mesophotic ones, there are very few cross-shelf assessments including both, shallow and mesophotic depths. Herein, we analyze changes in reef fish assemblages in a cross-shelf euphotic-mesophotic (19–72.6 m) gradient in tropical SW Atlantic. Data was obtained using a novel low-cost 360° stationary video system. Sixty-four species from thirty families were identified. Depth, distance offshore and proportion of consolidated substrate were the main predictors of fish assemblages’ structure. Four distinct fish assemblages were identified across the depth gradient (20–30, 30–40, 40–50 and 50–75 m), with marked shifts in composition, abundance, and trophic structure. Abundance of invertebrate feeders and large roving herbivores declined across the shelf and with increasing depth, while abundance of planktivores and piscivores increased, particularly below 50 m. These changes were likely caused by changes in food availability and habitat suitability. Our low-cost video system yielded high-resolution images that enabled us to accurately survey reef fish assemblages, being therefore a useful method for studies focusing on both, euphotic and mesophotic reef ecosystems. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how reef fish assemblages change with increasing depth in SW Atlantic reefs and corroborate the idea that the breakpoint between euphotic and mesophotic fish assemblages is context-dependent rather than previously defined as 30 m depth.

The reproductive biology of Epinephelus morio (red grouper) and Mycteroperca bonaci (black grouper) were evaluated based on 533 specimens collected from artisanal fisheries landings in the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil, between May 2005 and September 2012. Sex ratio for the black grouper was 1:14 (n = 155 females and 11 males; 26.1–147 cm TL) and 1:10 for the red grouper (n = 334 females and 33 males; 15.0–96.0 cm TL). For both species, highest values of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) for females were recorded between July and October, indicating spawning during the austral winter. The length at first maturity (L50) for females was estimated at 62.0 and 47.0 cm TL for the black and red grouper, respectively. Batch fecundity based on TL and TW ranged from 2 to 15.4∗106 and 1.5 to 13.7∗106 for the black and red grouper, respectively. Interviews with experienced fishers revealed that spawning seasons of both groupers are largely unrecognized. Results demonstrate a positive relationship between GSI peaks, lower temperatures and stronger winds. The information provided herein may help decision-making regarding fisheries management and conservation for E. morio and M. bonaci at various levels of governance in the Abrolhos Bank, the region with the largest and richest coralline reefs in the South Atlantic.

Otolith-based methods combined with catch lengths were used to produce three simple fishing indicators for assessing stock status of the lane snapper Lutjanus synagris in the Abrolhos Bank, central Brazilian coast. Fish were obtained during landings between May 2005 and June 2007. Marginal Increment Analyses combined with edge analysis on sectioned otoliths (n = 303) confirmed annulus formation in an annual basis during June-October. Lane snapper were aged up to 18 years and the largest fish measured 56 cm total length. Growth was not significantly different between sexes, and the von Bertalanffy growth equation was derived as Lt = 56[1-e (−0.22(t−0.0)) ]. Highest cohort yield was achieved between 33.5–41.4 cm (optimal length) at ages 4–6. Age at first maturity was 2.8 years, and generation length was 10 years. Instantaneous total mortality (Z) was 0.58 year −1 and natural mortality rate (M) ranged from 0.17–0.36 year −1 . Overall indicators point out for the need to implement fish management, as 30% of catch are composed of immature individuals and 7–12% by mega-spawners. A slot limit for the lane snapper in Abrolhos Bank is proposed, with restrictions for individuals 50 cm.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Archipelago (SPSPA), one of the smallest and most isolated island groups in the world, is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, between Brazil and the African continent. SPSPA has low species richness and high endemism, however, the diversity of fishes from deep habitats (> 30 m depth) had not been previously studied in detail. On several expeditions conducted between 2009 and 2018, we explored shallow and deep reefs of SPSPA using SCUBA, closed-circuit rebreathers, manned submersibles, baited remote underwater stereo-videos (stereo-BRUV), and fishing between 0 and 1,050 m depth. These expeditions yielded a total of 41 new records of fishes for SPSPA, nine in open waters, nine in shallow waters (0-30 m), eight in mesophotic ecosystems (30-150 m) and 15 in deeper reefs (> 150 m). Combined with literature records of adult pelagic, shallow and deep-reef species, as well as larvae, the database of the fish biodiversity for SPSPA currently comprises 225 species (169 recorded as adult fishes and 79 as larvae, with 23 species found in both stages). Most of them (112) are pelagic, 86 are reef-associated species, and 27 are deep water specialists. Species accumulation curves show that the number of fish species has not yet reached an asymptote. Whereas the number of species recorded in SPSPA is similar to other oceanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the proportion of shorefishes is relatively lower, and the endemism level is the third highest in the Atlantic. Twenty-nine species are listed as threatened with extinction. Observations confirm the paucity of top predators on shallow rocky reefs of the island, despite the presence of several pelagic shark species around SPSPA. Since all of the endemic species are reef-associated, we argue that the new marine protected areas created by the Brazilian government do not ensure the protection and recovery of SPSPA's biodiversity because they allow exploitation of the most vulnerable species around the archipelago itself. We suggest a ban on reef fish exploitation inside an area delimited by the 1,000 m isobath around the islands (where all known endemics are concentrated) as the main conservation strategy to be included in the SPSPA management plan being prepared by the Brazilian government. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:48:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-10-01 Fontes Hipertermicas do Arquipelago de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo (SISBIO) Programa de Monitoramento de Longa Duracao das Comunidades Recifais de Ilhas Oceanicas-PELD/ILOC Programa Arquipelago Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Chaetodontidae is among the most conspicuous families of fishes in tropical and subtropical coral and rocky reefs. Most ecological studies focus in the genus Chaetodon, while Prognathodes remains poorly understood. Here we provide the first account on the ecology of Prognathodes obliquus, a butterflyfish endemic to St. Peter and St. Paul's Archipelago (SPSPA), Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We studied the depth distribution and foraging behaviour of P. obliquus through technical diving, remote-operated vehicles and submarines. Also, we characterized its diet by analysing stomach contents. Prognathodes obliquus is mostly found below 40 m, with abundance peaking between 90 and 120 m and deepest record to date at 155 m. It forages mostly over sediment, epilithic algal matrix and complex bottoms formed by fused polychaete tubes, preying mostly upon polychaetes, crustaceans, hydroids and bryozoans. Branching black corals were rarely consumed and used mostly as refuge. In conclusion, P. obliquus is a generalist invertebrate feeder typical of mesophotic ecosystems of SPSPA. Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Marine Macroecol & Biogeog Lab, Dept Ecol & Zool, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil Univ Fed Paraiba, Dept Engn & Meio Ambiente, Ctr Cieencias Aplicadas & Educ, Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Evolucao & Diversidade Aquat, Dept Ciencias Biol, Assis, SP, Brazil Calif Acad Sci, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA Univ Fed Fluminense, Reef Syst Ecol & Conservat Lab, Dept Biol Marinha, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Evolucao & Diversidade Aquat, Dept Ciencias Biol, Assis, SP, Brazil Fontes Hipertermicas do Arquipelago de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo (SISBIO): 58069-1 Programa de Monitoramento de Longa Duracao das Comunidades Recifais de Ilhas Oceanicas-PELD/ILOC: CNPq 403740/2012-6 Programa Arquipelago: CNPq 557185/2009-2 Programa Arquipelago: 405386/2012-5 FAPESP: 2015/24408-4

The Brazilian-endemic greenbeack parrotfish, Scarus trispinosus Valenciennes, 1840, is the largest herbivorous reef fish in the South Atlantic. Following the sharp decline of large carnivorous reef fishes, parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarinae) were progressively targeted by commercial fisheries in Brazil, resulting in a global population decline of 50% for S. trispinosus. Most of its remnant population is concentrated in the Abrolhos Bank, where the present study was conducted. We present novel information on age, growth and the reproductive cycle of S. trispinosus, based on 814 individuals obtained from commercial fisheries’ landings and scientific collections, between 2010 and 2013. Sex ratio was biased toward females (1:8), and spawning occurred year-round with discrete peaks in February-March and June-December. Increment analysis indicated annual deposition of growth rings in otoliths, which presented 1–22 rings. The asymptotic length at which growth is zero (L∞) was estimated from a Bayesian logistic regression at 85.28 cm, growth rate (K) at 0.14 year−1, and the theoretical age at zero size (t0) at 0.16. Subregional demographic structuring was detected, with predominance of slower-growing individuals in shallower inshore reefs and predominance of faster-growing and older individuals in deeper offshore sites. We demonstrate that S. trispinosus is highly vulnerable to over-exploitation due to its large size, long live and slow-growth, and review the management measures proposed since its Red List assessment in 2012.

On November 5th, 2015, the Fundao dam rupture released >50 million m3 of ore tailings into the Doce River, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The huge volume of mud spread along the river and reached the sea, 17 days after the disaster, in Regencia, Espirito Santo State (ES). In 2018, after three years of the disaster, the impacts of the ore tailings in the marine environment are still unclear. This study aims to investigate possible short-term impacts in marine biodiversity caused by the ore tailings' mud over the reef ecosystems that are closest to the disaster area: i.e. recently discovered reefs in the southern Abrolhos Bank. A remote sensing surveillance including winds, sea surface temperature, total suspended material and watercolor (MODIS Aqua data) indicated that the iron tailings plume reached the southern portion of Abrolhos Bank on June 16th, 2016. Subsequently, to obtain further evidence of the presence of the tailings in the coral reefs, water samples were collected in a gradient spanning from the river estuary to the reefs in southern Abrolhos Bank, we also analyzed the isotopic and microbial composition of the samples, as well as the reef benthic composition. Despite no clues of negative impact on benthic (coral) communities, isotopic analysis confirmed the presence of the plume over the reefs area. This study serves as a baseline for future long-term impact assessments of the health of coral reefs in the Abrolhos Bank.