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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

A comparison of temporal turnover of species from benthic cnidarian assemblages in tropical and subtropical harbours

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Author(s):
Fernandez, Marina O. [1] ; Navarrete, Sergio A. [2, 3] ; Marques, Antonio C. [4, 1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Estn Costera Invest Marinas, Las Cruces - Chile
[3] Pontificia Univ Catolica Chile, Ctr Marine Conservat, Santiago - Chile
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biol Marinha, Sao Sebastiao - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH; v. 11, n. 5, p. 492-503, 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

An important component of species diversity which has recently received significant attention is the change in species composition across space, or beta diversity. Temporal turnover of species is an equally important component of species diversity, which can by itself account for diversity patterns, but has received much less attention, especially in marine communities. Indeed, patterns of diversity of marine epifaunal assemblages may be better understood through the study of variability in richness and composition of recruits that colonize and survive long enough to start a population, but before species interactions mask the diversity initially settled. Here we document temporal patterns in richness and composition of recruits of a speciose benthic cnidarian assemblage, contrasting a tropical and a subtropical site to evaluate simple predictions about latitudinal diversity and richness stability. Recruitment variation was quantified during five three-month periods at two harbour areas (Pecem at 3 degrees 32S and Ilhabela at 23 degrees 46S) in Brazil separated by 20 degrees latitude. Results show that: (1) species richness of benthic cnidarian assemblages was higher at the more tropical location, as expected from general patterns in marine species global distribution; (2) contrary to the expectation of a negative association between richness and species turnover, temporal turnover of species was similar at both sites, although more seasonal at the higher latitude site; and (3) species temporal persistence was greater at the subtropical site. Results are discussed in the context of how different environments and different regional richness may influence temporal patterns in species turnover and local richness, and how this may vary across latitudes. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/50484-4 - Biodiversity and distribution patterns of the Medusozoa form the South-Western Atlantic
Grantee:Antonio Carlos Marques
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/50242-5 - Dimensions of marine life: patterns and process of diversifications in planktonic and benthic cnidarians
Grantee:Antonio Carlos Marques
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants