Spatio-temporal variation of planktonic decapods along the leeward coast of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil

• Published in: Brazilian journal of oceanography 2018-01, Vol.66 (1), p.1-14
• Main Authors: Santana, Claudeilton Severino de, Schwamborn, Ralf, Neumann-Leitão, Sigrid, Montes, Manuel de Jesus Flores, Lira, Simone Maria de Albuquerque
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Annual distribution; Aquatic crustaceans; Archipelagoes; Biodiversity; Brachyura; Burrowing organisms; Callianassidae; Caridea; Clibanarius; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Composition; Crabs; Crustaceans; Distribuição horizontal; Ecology; Endemism; Ilhas oceânicas tropicais; Larvae; Larvas de Decapoda; MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY; Marine crustaceans; Marine ecosystems; Oceanic islands; OCEANOGRAPHY; Plankton; Sampling; Shrimps; Stations; Temporal distribution; Temporal variations; Tropical climate; Variação em microescala; Zoeae; Zooplankton; Zooplâncton
• ISSN: 1679-8759; 1982-436X; 1982-436X
• DOI: 10.1590/s1679-87592018147206601

Abstract Tropical island environments are considered hotspots due to their high diversity, endemism and ecological importance. However, reports that discuss the composition and ecology of planktonic decapods in these environments are still very few. In order to ascertain the composition, abundance and spatial-temporal distribution of planktonic decapods, zooplankton samples were taken by means of sub-surface hauls with a standard plankton net of 300 µm mesh size. Sampling was carried out at five stations in the nearshore leeward area of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, in July and December 2013 and June and November 2014. A total of 22 decapod taxa were recorded, among which the most abundant were Brachyura (zoeae), Clibanarius sp., Caridea and Callianassidae. Characteristic annual distribution and temporal tendencies were observed for the larvae of the hermit crab Clibanarius sp. and for the larvae of burrowing shrimps (Callianassidae). Some taxa showed differences between sampling stations. In general, higher abundances were observed in the southern (downstream) stations of the island (Baía dos Golfinhos and Cacimba do Padre), and lower abundances in the northernmost (upstream) station (Porto de Santo Antônio), indicating the existence of larval retention in the nearshore coastal zone of this oceanic island ecosystem. Resumo Ambientes insulares tropicais são considerados verdadeiros hostspots devido a sua alta diversidade, endemismo e importância ecológica. Contudo, ainda são poucos os trabalhos que abordam a composição e ecologia de decápodes planctônicos nesses ambientes. Para determinar a composição, abundância e distribuição espaço-temporal dos decápodes planctônicos, as amostras de zooplâncton foram coletadas por meio de arrastos subsuperficiais em rede cônico-cilíndrica com 300 µm de abertura de malha. A amostragem foi realizada em cinco estações na área costeira a sotavento do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, em julho e dezembro de 2013 e junho e novembro de 2014. Foram registrados 22 táxons de Decapoda, dos quais Brachyura (zoea); Clibanarius sp.; Caridea e Callianassidae foram os grupos mais abundantes. Foram observadas tendências de distribuição anual e temporal para as larvas de Clibanarius sp. e Callianassidae, respectivamente. Alguns táxons apresentaram diferenças entres as estações de amostragem. De forma geral, as maiores densidades larvais foram observadas nas estações ao sul da ilha (Baía dos Golfinhos e Cacimba do Padre) em relaç