Effect of tidal environment on the trophic balance of mixotrophic hexacorals using biochemical profile and photochemical performance as indicators

Author(s)

Rosa, Ines C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Rocha, Rui J. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Cruz, Igor ^[3] ; Lopes, Ana ^[4] ; Menezes, Natalia ^[5] ; Bandarra, Narcisa ^[6] ; Kikuchi, Ruy ^[7] ; Serodio, Joao ^{[1, 2]} ; Soares, Amadeu M. V. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Rosa, Rui ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Aveiro, Dept Biol, Campus Univ Santiago, P-3810193 Aveiro - Portugal

^[2] Univ Aveiro, CESAM, Campus Univ Santiago, P-3810193 Aveiro - Portugal

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Praca Oceanog 191, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Lisbon, MARE Ctr Ciencias Mare & Ambiente, Lab Maritimo Guia, Fac Ciencias, Av Nossa Senhora Cabo 939, P-2750374 Cascais - Portugal

^[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Cidade Univ Zeferino Vaz, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[6] IPMA, IP, Div Aquacultura & Valorizacao, Av Brasilia, P-1449006 Lisbon - Portugal

^[7] Univ Fed Bahia, Inst Geociencias, Dept Oceanog, Lab Recifes Corais & Mudancas Globais RECOR, BR-40170115 Salvador, BA - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH; v. 135, p. 55-62, APR 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Fluctuations of environmental factors in intertidal habitats can disrupt the trophic balance of mixotrophic cnidarians. We investigated the effect of tidal environments (subtidal, tidal pools and emerged areas) on fatty acid (FA) content of Zoanthus sociatus and Siderastrea stellata. Effect on photophysiology was also accessed as an autotrophy proxy. There was a general tendency of a lower percentage of zooplankton-associated FAs in colonies from emerged areas or tidal pools when compared with colonies from the subtidal environment. Moreover, tidal environment significantly affected the photophysiology of both species. Colonies from the subtidal generally showed lower values of a, ETRmax and E-k when compared with their conspecifics from tidal pools or emerged areas. However, the absence of consistent patterns in F-v/F-m and in dinoflagellate-associated FAs, suggest that these corals are well adapted to intertidal conditions. This suggests that intertidal pressures may disturb the trophic balance, mainly by affecting heterotrophy of these species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/17815-0 - Technological development of remote sensing to detect phase shifts on coral reefs using optical sensors installed in drone
• Grantee: Igor Cristino Silva Cruz
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate