RESUMO
Abstract: Invasive corals of the genus Tubastraea exhibit early maturity, rapid growth, and plasticity regarding the substrate they use, which has enabled the genus to quickly become successful and expand its non-native range. For the state of Sergipe there are 23 records of Tubastraea spp. on oil platforms; here we report the first records of the sun coral T. coccinea on the coast in the estuarine zone of the Vaza-Barris River, expanding its invasive range from offshore to onshore. Contaminated oil platforms, vessels, and shipwrecks may have provided a pathway as vectors, acting as stepping stones that connect oceanic regions to the coast. Dispersal may also occur through currents responsible for transporting organisms from the continental shelf to the coast, although this seems unlikely. Thus, we reinforce the importance of constant monitoring of vectors and the coast to minimize the adverse effects of invasive corals on native fauna.
Resumo: Corais invasores do gênero Tubastraea apresentam maturidade precoce, rápido crescimento e plasticidade em relação ao substrato que utilizam, o que permitiu ao gênero obter rapidamente sucesso e expandir sua distribuição não nativa. Para o estado de Sergipe existem 23 registros de Tubastraea spp. na zona offshore; aqui relatamos os primeiros registros do coral-sol T. coccinea na costa da zona estuarina do rio Vaza-Barris, expandindo sua área de invasão offshore para o onshore. Plataformas petrolíferas, navios e naufrágios contaminados podem ter fornecido o caminho como vetores, agindo como trampolins que ligam as regiões oceânicas à costa. A dispersão também pode ocorrer através de correntes responsáveis pelo transporte de organismos da plataforma continental para a costa, embora isto pareça menos provável. Assim, reforçamos a importância do monitoramento constante dos vetores e da costa para minimizar os efeitos adversos dos corais invasores sobre a fauna nativa.
RESUMO
Bryozoans constitute an important component of marine-fouling communities of anthropogenic substrata. Many species have been reported as exotic or widespread around the world, typically in ports and harbors of non-polar regions. Here we present the first record of a species of the bryozoan Triphyllozoon in the Atlantic Ocean. Triphyllozoon arcuatum (MacGillivray, 1889), described originally from Australia, is reported herein from natural substrata in Singapore and natural and artificial substrata in Brazil. Although easily recognizable, the species has not been previously reported from anywhere else in the Atlantic. In the latter instance, the species was collected during monitoring of the invasive scleractinian corals Tubastraea spp. on an oil platform originally from Singapore and now located at Todos os Santos Bay, northeastern Brazil. Colonies of T. arcuatum were also found associated with three species of sponges, giving evidence that it is also growing in the natural environment. Todos os Santos Bay is characterized by intense commercial shipping traffic and oil exploration and the finding of T. arcuatum on an oil platform provides strong evidence that it represents a non-indigenous species in the Atlantic. Owing to the possible impact of T. arcuatum in Brazil, further studies and monitoring of its bioinvasion are recommended.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Briozoários/anatomia & histologia , Biodiversidade , Oceano AtlânticoRESUMO
Bryozoans constitute an important component of marine-fouling communities of anthropogenic substrata. Many species have been reported as exotic or widespread around the world, typically in ports and harbors of non-polar regions. Here we present the first record of a species of the bryozoan Triphyllozoon in the Atlantic Ocean. Triphyllozoon arcuatum (MacGillivray, 1889), described originally from Australia, is reported herein from natural substrata in Singapore and natural and artificial substrata in Brazil. Although easily recognizable, the species has not been previously reported from anywhere else in the Atlantic. In the latter instance, the species was collected during monitoring of the invasive scleractinian corals Tubastraea spp. on an oil platform originally from Singapore and now located at Todos os Santos Bay, northeastern Brazil. Colonies of T. arcuatum were also found associated with three species of sponges, giving evidence that it is also growing in the natural environment. Todos os Santos Bay is characterized by intense commercial shipping traffic and oil exploration and the finding of T. arcuatum on an oil platform provides strong evidence that it represents a non-indigenous species in the Atlantic. Owing to the possible impact of T. arcuatum in Brazil, further studies and monitoring of its bioinvasion are recommended.