Influence of environmental variables over multiple spatial scales on the population structure of a key marine invertebrate

Author(s)

Pardal, Andre ^{[1, 2]} ; Cordeiro, Cesar A. M. M. ^{[2, 3]} ; Ciotti, Aurea M. ^[4] ; Jenkins, Stuart R. ^[5] ; Gimenez, Luis ^[5] ; Burrows, Michael T. ^[6] ; Christofoletti, Ronaldo A. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ ABC CCNH UFABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, Rua Santa Adelia 166, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Paulo IMar UNIFESP, Inst Marine Sci, Rua Dr Carvalho Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Fluminense Univ LECAR UFF, Marine Biol Dept, Outeiro Sao Joao Batista S-N, BR-24020141 Niteroi, RJ - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo CEBIMar USP, Ctr Marine Biol, Km 131-5, BR-1160000 Sao Sebastiao, SP - Brazil

^[5] Bangor Univ, Sch Ocean Sci, Menai Bridge LL59 5AB, Gwynedd - Wales

^[6] Scottish Marine Inst, Scottish Assoc Marine Sci, Oban, Argyll - Scotland

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH; v. 170, AUG 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Quantifying scale-dependent patterns and linking ecological to environmental variation is required to understand mechanisms regulating biodiversity. We conducted a large-scale survey in rocky shores along the SE Brazilian coast to examine spatial variability in body size and density of an intertidal barnacle (Chthamalus bisinuatus) and its relationships with benthic and oceanographic predictors. Both the size and density of barnacles showed most variation at the smallest spatial scales. On average, barnacle body size was larger on shores located in areas characterised by higher chlorophyll levels, colder waters, low wave action and low influence of freshwater. Barnacles were more abundant at wave-exposed shores. We identified critical scales of spatial variation of an important species and linked population patterns to essential environmental predictors. Our results show that populations of this barnacle are coupled to scale-dependent oceanographic variation. This study offers insights into the mechanisms regulating coastal populations along a little studied coastline. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/24551-4 - The strength of ecological interactions and the environmental mediation at coastal ecosystems
• Grantee: Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/26859-3 - Integration of ecological processes over different spatial scales: an intertidal predator-prey system
• Grantee: Andre Luiz Pardal Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate