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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.)

Abundance of sedentary consumers and sessile organisms along the wave exposure gradient of subtropical rocky shores of the south-west Atlantic

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Author(s):
Christofoletti, Ronaldo A. [1] ; Takahashi, Camila K. [2] ; Oliveira, Diogo N. [2] ; Flores, Augusto A. V. [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biol Marinha, BR-11600000 Sao Sebastiao, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Unidade Sao Vicente, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom; v. 91, n. 5, p. 961-967, AUG 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 15
Abstract

Sedentary consumers play an important role on populations of prey and, hence, their patterns of abundance, distribution and coexistence on shores are important to evaluate their potential influence on ecosystem dynamics. Here, we aimed to describe their spatio-temporal distribution and abundance in relation to wave exposure in the intertidal rocky shores of the south-west Atlantic to provide a basis for further understanding of ecological processes in this system. The abundance and composition of the functional groups of sessile organisms and sedentary consumers were taken by sampling the intertidal of sheltered and moderately exposed shores during a period of one year. The sublittoral fringe of sheltered areas was dominated by macroalgae, while the low midlittoral was dominated by bare rock and barnacles. In contrast, filter-feeding animals prevailed at exposed shores, probably explaining the higher abundance of the predator Stramonita haemastoma at these locations. Limpets were more abundant at the midlittoral zone of all shores while sea urchins were exclusively found at the sublittoral fringe of moderately exposed shores, therefore, adding grazing pressure on these areas. The results showed patterns of coexistence, distribution and abundance of those organisms in this subtropical area, presumably as a result of wave action, competition and prey availability. It also brought insights on the influence of top-down and bottom-up processes in this area. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 06/00559-4 - Trophic ecology of the crab Pachygrapsus transversus (Gibbes, 1850) (Brachyura: Grapsidae) and its influence on sessile communities of rocky shores of Ubatuba, SP
Grantee:Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral