First Molecular Identification of a Goussia Parasite from a New World Invasive Blenny.

PURPOSE: Introduced or invasive fish are susceptible to new parasites but can simultaneously carry infectious parasites from their native range towards new hosts. Screening these parasites is key to address the health of fish populations and spread of diseases. METHODS: In this study, we sequenced a Coccidia parasite, for the first time from the blenny Omobranchus sewalli, introduced in the northern coast of Brazil with an Indo-Pacific origin. RESULTS: Only one individual was infected, its genetic sequence matched (over 99%) with two lineages of undetermined species, belonging to the genus Goussia, sequenced from three marine fish species (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, Lutjanus kasmira, and Selar crumenophthalmus) in Hawaii. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analysis suggests considerable differentiation between the Goussia detected and other Goussia spp. sequenced from North Atlantic marine fish, thus we cannot exclude the possibly that this parasite was carried by O. sewalli from its native Indo-Pacific range.

Clarifying the taxonomy of some cryptic blennies (Blenniidae) in their native and introduced range.

Omobranchus punctatus is native to the Indo-Pacific region and invasive in the Atlantic region, currently being considered one of the most widely distributed blenny species. However, recent molecular studies indicated that O. punctatus is a complex of species, with three divergent mtDNA lineages identified to date, stressing the need for a taxonomic revision. In this study, we used an integrative approach, combining morphological and genetic data, to shed light on the taxonomy and distribution of O. punctatus. Moreover, we provide the first genetic records of introduced populations in Brazil and discuss the introduction pattern of this species in this region. Morphological data shows that O. punctatus consists of at least five distinct and geographically restricted species: O. punctatus sensu stricto, O. dispar, O. sewalli, O. cf. kochi, and O. cf. japonicus. Species delimitation analyses performed using the mtDNA data available confirmed that O. punctatus sensu stricto, O. dispar and O. sewalli correspond to different species that started to diverge about 2.6 Mya. Furthermore, O. sewalli was identified as the invasive species colonizing Atlantic shores. The existence of historical oceanographic barriers, such as the emergence of the Sunda Shelf in the Eastern Indian Ocean during the Pleistocene, and the biological traits of these blennies are the most likely factors responsible for their genetic differentiation and subsequent speciation.

Evaluating conservation status and governmental efforts towards regional flagship species in Brazil.

Several strategies have been adopted to optimize biodiversity conservation. The use of fauna and flora species as flagships can help increase public commitment and raise funds for their conservation. However, species choices must be well balanced, considering not only intrinsic aspects (e.g., risk of extinction and ecological role), but also social, cultural, and economic aspects of the region where the flagship will be adopted. Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest diversity on the planet. Nevertheless, there are several challenges associated with natural resources conservation. Flagships have been adopted informally for decades throughout the country but there are no efforts to evaluate these strategies results for the preservation of the selected species. The aim of this study was to carry out an extensive survey on regional flagship species, their conservation status, level of endemism, and domestic legislation currently in force for their protection or human use. A total of 62 flagships were identified, with at least one species of flora and one of fauna for each of the 27 Brazilian Federative Units. The animals most commonly used as regional symbols are birds, followed by mammals. Flora species used as regional symbols are quite diverse. However, they are all somehow used by humans. As for legal protection, there are government measures for endangered species. Nevertheless, most species used as regional symbols are not at risk of extinction and, for this reason, do not receive any legal protection. Moreover, while some flagships are endemic, others are alien species, indicating that this criterion is not considered when choosing regional symbols. In the overall analysis it was noted that species choice could be optimized to highlight the national biodiversity. Despite efforts to establish legal measures for their preservation, few effective results have been observed. Therefore, improved effective measures for their conservation should be adopted to guarantee the effectiveness of flagship species for biodiversity conservation.

Anthropogenic litter on Brazilian beaches: Baseline, trends and recommendations for future approaches.

Beaches are fundamental habitats that regulate the functioning of several coastal processes and key areas contributing to national and local budgets. In this study we provide the first large-scale systematic survey of anthropogenic litter on Brazilian beaches, covering a total of 35 degrees of latitude, recording the litter type, its use and size. Plastic comprised the most abundant litter type, followed by cigarette butts and paper. Small pieces (<5 cm) were dominant among litter size-classes and food-related use was associated to most litter recorded types. Generalized additive models showed that proximity to estuarine run-offs was the main driver to beach litter accumulation, reinforcing river drainages as the primary route of litter coastal pollution. Also, the Clean-Coast Index evidenced there was not a pattern of beach litter pollution among regions, which denotes that actions regarding marine pollution must be taken by all state governances of the country.

Invasion of the Indo-Pacific blenny Omobranchus punctatus (Perciformes: Blenniidae) on the Atlantic Coast of Central and South America

We examined 308 specimens of the Indo-Pacific blenniid Omobranchus punctatus deposited in four museum collections, and analyzed data on their collection locations to assess its invasion on the Atlantic coast of Central and South America. This species occurs in shoreline estuarine and marine habitats in the Indo-West Pacific. Previous sampling and recent records in the Tropical West Atlantic from 1930 to 2004 produced 20 records for: Panamá, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Brazil. In this work, we provide data on 17 new records for the Gulfs of Venezuela and Paria in Venezuela, as well as four records for Maranhão and Pará states in NE Brazil. The temporal pattern of collections (1930 - 2009) and the proximity of most localities to ports and zones of ship traffic indicate that O. punctatus was initially introduced to the Atlantic by ships travelling from India to Trinidad. Within Brazil the introduction is linked to shipping connected to petroleum platforms. In Maranhão and Pará the introduction may have occurred as a result of fish sheltering in fouling on hulls of ships moving between ports around the mouth of the Amazon River. Alternatively, the spread of this species along of the American coast may reflect the expansion of the range of O. puntactus through larval dispersal in northward flowing currents. We recommend monitoring of this introduced species, and studies of its ecology in West Atlantic areas.

Nós examinamos 308 espécimes do blenídeo Omobranchus punctatus, de origem Indo-Pacífica, depositados em coleções de quatro museus. Os dados de distribuição foram analisados com o objetivo de avaliar a invasão das águas costeiras do Oceano Atlântico nas Américas do Sul e Central. Em sua área de distribuição original, O. punctatus ocorre em ambientes marinhos e estuarinos. Amostragens datadas de 1930 e de 2004 produziram 20 registros da espécie no Atlântico Oeste tropical, incluindo amostras do Panamá, Colômbia, Venezuela, Trinidade e Brasil. Neste trabalho nós apresentamos 17 novos registros em áreas da Venezuela e nordeste do Brasil. O padrão temporal dos dados (1930-2009) e a proximidade da maioria das áreas de amostragem a regiões portuárias indicam que a espécie foi inicialmente introduzida no Atlântico pela água de lastro de navios navegando na rota India-Trinidade. No Brasil, a introdução parece estar associada ao movimento de navios em torno das plataformas de petróleo. No Maranhão e no Pará, a introdução está associada ao movimento de navios entre os portos próximos à foz do rio Amazonas. Alternativamente, a expansão de área desta espécie ao longo da costa da América pode ter acontecido através de dispersão larval, acompanhando as correntes em direção ao norte. Nós recomendamos o monitoramento desta espécie, bem como o desenvolvimento de estudos sobre sua ecologia em ambientes do Atlântico ocidental agora ocupos por ela.