How microspatial diferences of abiotic conditions affect the recruitment and predation on the encrusting community and the fitness of the bryozoan Schyzoporella errata?

• Grant number: 13/11286-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2014
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Muniz Dias
• Grantee: Gustavo Muniz Dias
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Augusto Alberto Valero Flores ; Fernando Zaniolo Gibran
• Associated research grant(s): 15/50325-9 - The importance of large-scale variation of predation pressure on the organization of sessile communities, AP.R SPRINT

Abstract

The spatial heterogeneity of environmental conditions and the genetic variability interact to determine the polymorphism of populations. While the factors that create the differences in phenotypes among different populations are well known, a few empiric studies have addressed how the heterogeneity of the environment in small scale contributes to create and maintain the polymorphism within populations. When there are no barriers to gene flow and different microhabitats result in large differences in organisms fitness, local adaptation determined by canalization of a single phenotype is a risky strategy, because there are large chances of occurring a mismatch between the phenotype produced by the organisms and the optimum phenotype for that microhabitat. Marine encrusting organisms are excellent models to test the mechanisms behind the phenotypic variation in populations, because they usually present short life cycles, are easily manipulated and are frequently exposed to a high heterogeneous habitat as a result of the human impact in coastal waters. In the littoral of São Paulo, the Yacht Clube of Ilhabela is a recreational marina formed by floating platforms surrounded by a jetty that reduces water turbulence. In this context, individuals growing inside and outside the jetty, besides living very close to each other, are exposed to different environmental conditions, what can result in different phenotypes. The objective of this study is to provide information on the diferences of physical conditions among the two areas, and access how these differences determine the diversity of predatory fishes, the recruitment of sessile organisms, predation on recruits, the organization of the sessile community and the phenotypes of the briozoan Schizoporella errata. The results obtained during this study will help to understand how large differences in physical condition in small scales can contribute to sessile community organization and to determine the fitness of S. errata. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ORICCHIO, FELIPE T.; PASTRO, GABRIELA; VIEIRA, EDSON A.; FLORES, AUGUSTO A. V.; GIBRAN, FERNANDO Z.; DIAS, GUSTAVO M.. Distinct community dynamics at two artificial habitats in a recreational marina. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, v. 122, p. 85-92, DEC 2016. (13/11286-2)

DIAS, GUSTAVO M.; DUTRA, FELIPE S.; DUARTE, RAFAEL C.. Artificial habitats induce plasticity in colonies of the marine bryozoan Schizoporella errata. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION, v. 336, n. 3, APR 2020. (13/11286-2)

PASTRO, GABRIELA; DIAS, GUSTAVO MUNIZ; PEREIRA-FILHO, GUILHERME HENRIQUE; GIBRAN, FERNANDO ZANIOLO. The consequences of small-scale variations in habitat conditions driven by a floating marina on reef fish assemblages of SE Brazil. OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT, v. 141, p. 98-106, JUN 1 2017. (13/11286-2)

ORICCHIO, FELIPE T.; FLORES, AUGUSTO A. V.; DIAS, GUSTAVO M.. The importance of predation and predator size on the development and structure of a subtropical fouling community. Hydrobiologia, v. 776, n. 1, p. 209-219, AUG 2016. (13/11286-2)