Papers by Miodeli Nogueira Júnior
Scientific Reports, Jan 11, 2022
The dispersal of marine organisms can be restricted by a set of isolation mechanisms including ha... more The dispersal of marine organisms can be restricted by a set of isolation mechanisms including hard barriers or hydrological features. In the Western Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon River discharge has been shown to act as a biogeographical barrier responsible for the differences in reef fish communities between Caribbean Sea and Northeast Brazil continental shelves. Here, we compare the diversity of all Animalia phyla from biogeographic ecoregions along the Tropical Western Atlantic continental shelf to test the hypothesis that the Amazon River plume spatially structures species diversity. For that, we used beta diversity estimators and multivariate ecological analysis on a database of species occurrence of the whole animal kingdom including 175,477 occurrences of 8,375 species from six ecoregions along the Western Tropical Atlantic. Results of the whole animal kingdom and the richest phyla showed that the Caribbean Sea and Tropical Brazil ecoregions are isolated by the Amazon River Plume, broadening and confirming the hypothesis that it acts as a soft barrier to animal dispersal in the Western Tropical Atlantic. Species sharing is larger northwestwards, in direction of the Caribbean than the opposite direction. Beyond species isolation due to local characteristics such as low salinity and high turbidity, our results suggest the dominant northwestward currents probably play a major role in animal dispersion: it enhances the flux of larvae and other planktonic organisms with reduced mobility from Brazil to Caribbean and hinders their contrary movement. Thus, the Amazon area is a strong barrier for taxa with reduced dispersal capacity, while species of pelagic taxa with active swimming may transpose it more easily. Animal dispersal is typically easier in marine environments than on land because planktonic life stages, present in most marine taxa, are drifted and dispersed by currents 1. However, a set of isolating mechanisms can restrict the dispersal of marine organisms. Hard barriers such as landmasses are the most evident, physically splitting marine habitats 2. This was particularly observed through the isolation of the Atlantic Ocean Realm by the closure of the Tethys seaway and Isthmus of Panama from the Indo-Pacific and East Pacific oceans, respectively 2. Soft barriers, related to hydrology and distance, may also play a significant role in limiting the movement of organisms 2. At a global scale, large distances over the open ocean may restrict connectivity and the exchange of species almost like physical hard barriers, as observed in the isolation of the Indo-Pacific and East Pacific realms 2 , and in differences in communities from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean 3. At regional scales, specific physical oceanographic processes may play a major role in species distribution patterns 4. Currents can enhance the flow of larvae and other planktonic organisms with reduced mobility. On the other hand, they may hinder dispersal against the flow 4,5. For example, species from the Indian Ocean invaded the Atlantic realm through the Agulhas/Benguela Currents, but not the other way round 5. Physical and chemical properties of seawater, associated with species ecological niche limitations and/or stratification of the water column, may also act as soft barrier limiting species dispersal 6,7. The Antarctic Polar Front is an example of how temperature bounds the distribution of subtropical/temperate and polar organisms 6,7. Freshwater discharge over the continental shelf, with associated reduced salinity and enhanced primary production and/or turbidity may also significantly change local seawater properties restricting species distribution 8,9 .
In western boundary current systems (WBCSs), strong currents flow coastward carrying oceanic wate... more In western boundary current systems (WBCSs), strong currents flow coastward carrying oceanic water masses and their associated planktonic fauna. Variation in the intensity of these currents and in the continental runoff may affect the dynamic interplay between oceanic and coastal communities. In addition, changes in the continental runoff and the thermohaline structure modulate the primary production, adding complexity to the dynamics of these oligotrophic systems. These dynamics likely shape the planktonic cnidarian communities. To further understand such relationships, we used a comprehensive dataset encompassing samples collected above the shelf and slope and around oceanic seamounts and islands of the Fernando de Noronha Ridge in the western tropical South Atlantic, in two seasons characterised by distinct thermohaline structure and circulation patterns. Results show that in the tropical South Atlantic and, likely, other western boundary systems with narrow continental shelves, coastward currents spread oceanic waters and their associated cnidarian species over the continental shelf. However, while both coastal and oceanic communities co-occur when the continental runoff is notable, oceanic species dominate almost the entire shelf during the dry season characterised by a stronger boundary current intensity. We also conclude that when the mixed-layer depth and associated nutricline are shallower, the enhanced primary productivity supports larger populations of planktonic cnidarian species through a bottom-up control.
Zootaxa, Jul 24, 2012
ABSTRACT The present study reports on a survey of the gelatinous zooplankton fauna (Cnidaria, Cte... more ABSTRACT The present study reports on a survey of the gelatinous zooplankton fauna (Cnidaria, Ctenophora and Thaliacea) from the proposed Baía da Babitonga marine protected area (southern Brazil; ~26°S), based on collections from multiple sites over different seasons and from published literature. In order to sample both small and large gelatinous animals, plankton hauls (n = 255) and fishing trawls (n = 126) were employed. More than 20,000 organisms were studied, which, including literature data, totaled 48 species: one cubomedusa, three scyphomedusae, four siphonophores, 36 hydromedusae, two ctenophores, and two thaliaceans. Among these, the hydromedusae Cnidostoma fallax Vanhöffen and Helgicirrha sp. are recorded for the first time from the southwestern Atlantic coast and Paulinum sp. and Protiara sp. are recorded for the first time from the South Atlantic. A description of young stages of the hydromedusa Gossea brachymera Bigelow is presented and shows that Octobulbacea montehermosensis Zamponi is a junior synonym of the former. Although comprehensive local assessment of diverse taxonomic groups is still lacking, the high diversity observed herein underscores the importance of Baía da Babitonga as a high priority site for conservation of regional marine biodiversity.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 31, 2012
ABSTRACT The present study reports on a survey of the gelatinous zooplankton fauna (Cnidaria, Cte... more ABSTRACT The present study reports on a survey of the gelatinous zooplankton fauna (Cnidaria, Ctenophora and Thaliacea) from the proposed Baía da Babitonga marine protected area (southern Brazil; ~26°S), based on collections from multiple sites over different seasons and from published literature. In order to sample both small and large gelatinous animals, plankton hauls (n = 255) and fishing trawls (n = 126) were employed. More than 20,000 organisms were studied, which, including literature data, totaled 48 species: one cubomedusa, three scyphomedusae, four siphonophores, 36 hydromedusae, two ctenophores, and two thaliaceans. Among these, the hydromedusae Cnidostoma fallax Vanhöffen and Helgicirrha sp. are recorded for the first time from the southwestern Atlantic coast and Paulinum sp. and Protiara sp. are recorded for the first time from the South Atlantic. A description of young stages of the hydromedusa Gossea brachymera Bigelow is presented and shows that Octobulbacea montehermosensis Zamponi is a junior synonym of the former. Although comprehensive local assessment of diverse taxonomic groups is still lacking, the high diversity observed herein underscores the importance of Baía da Babitonga as a high priority site for conservation of regional marine biodiversity.
Revista Brasileira De Zoologia, Oct 2, 2006
Acta Biológica Paranaense, Dec 31, 2006
Journal of Marine Systems, Apr 1, 2015
The choice of appropriate mesh-size is paramount to accurately quantify planktonic assemblages, h... more The choice of appropriate mesh-size is paramount to accurately quantify planktonic assemblages, however there is no such information available for hydrozoans. Here planktonic hydrozoan abundance and assemblage structure were compared using 200 and 500 μm meshes at Babitonga estuary (S Brazil), throughout a year cycle. Species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity were higher in the 200 μm mesh, while evenness was typically higher in the 500 μm. Assemblage structure was significantly different between meshes (PERMANOVA, P b 0.05; n = 72 pairs of samples) both regarding taxa and size composition. These discrepancies are due to significant underestimation of small hydromedusae by the coarse mesh, like Obelia spp., young Liriope tetraphylla, Podocoryna loyola and others. Yet, larger taxa like Eucheilota maculata and adult L. tetraphylla were more abundant in the coarse mesh on some occasions and others such as Blackfordia virginica and Muggiaea kochi were similarly represented in both meshes. Overall collection efficiency of the coarse mesh (CE 500) was 14.4%, with monthly averages between 1.6% and 43.0%, in July (winter) and January (summer) respectively. Differences between the meshes were size-dependent; CE 500 was~0.3% for hydrozoans sizing b0.5 mm,~21% for those between 1 and 2 mm,~56% for those between 2 and 4 mm, and nearly 100% for larger ones, reaching up to 312% for hydrozoans N 8 mm in October. These results suggest that both meshes have their drawbacks and the best choice would depend on the objectives of each study. Nevertheless species richness, total abundances and most taxa were better represented by the 200 μm mesh, suggesting that it is more appropriate to quantitatively sample planktonic hydrozoan assemblages.
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, May 1, 2019
Mesh selectivity is an important factor to be considered when sampling zooplankton. Selectivity m... more Mesh selectivity is an important factor to be considered when sampling zooplankton. Selectivity may differ according to the environment and taxon, but his has not been evaluated for cnidarians in neritic and/or oceanic ecosystems. In this study, efficiency of plankton nets with two different mesh sizes (120 and 300 µm) were compared to assess the cnidarian assemblage from neritic and oceanic habitats in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. No statistical differences between meshes were observed in species richness, total and most dominant taxa abundance, or taxonomic and size structure of the community in both oceanic and neritic habitats. Only for the small (0.5-2 mm) neritic Persa incolorata did the meshes differ, with higher abundances in the finer one. Despite small particularities, our results show that the 120 and 300 µm meshes produce similar results.
Marine Biodiversity, Jul 17, 2018
We surveyed the gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Chaetognatha, Tunicata) fauna from ... more We surveyed the gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Chaetognatha, Tunicata) fauna from the Cananeia-Iguape Coastal System (CICS; São Paulo, Brazil;~25°S). This area includes a natural reserve formed by the Atlantic Rain Forest and mangroves, having a high biological productivity and being recognized as a wildlife sanctuary. We analyzed 164 plankton samples collected between January 2012 and January 2013, along with visual records of living and stranded large (>2 cm) gelatinous zooplankton. More than 29,000 organisms were studied, which combined with literature totaled 16 orders, 40 families and 56 species: two cubomedusae, five scyphomedusae, two siphonophores, 34 hydromedusae, two ctenophores, five chaetognaths, three appendicularians and three thaliaceans. Twenty-seven species are new records for the CICS, six species for the state of São Paulo, and Tiaricodon sp. is newly recorded for the Brazilian coast and is described in details. Most of the species from CICS (37 spp.; 66%) are meroplanktonic, whereas the most abundant taxa are holoplanktonic (>95% of all gelatinous). Meroplanktonic taxa tended to be more species rich in brackish-waters (salinity 20-30) with most species occurring in one or two seasons, particularly during summer and/or autumn, while holoplanktonic species tended to occur throughout the year, and to be more species-rich in more saline waters (>30). These observations indicate different strategies of estuarine occupation driven by life cycle. Our results underscore the high diversity of meroplanktonic gelatinous organisms from subtropical estuaries and emphasize the need for comprehensive sampling surveys in such ecosystems, which are mostly understudied worldwide.
Marine and Freshwater Research, 2019
Spatial variations and organism-sediment relationship are paramount subjects of soft-bottom ecolo... more Spatial variations and organism-sediment relationship are paramount subjects of soft-bottom ecology. However, these issues have been unexplored for most minor meiofaunal taxa such as tardigrades. In the present study, we explore this subject on a small tropical (,68S) estuary. Total meiofaunal abundance ranged from 4 to 1036 individuals per 10 cm 2 , averaging (mean AE s.d.) 324.8 AE 245.9 individuals per 10 cm 2. Nematodes dominated in both seasons, representing .70% of total abundance. Tardigrades were the second-most abundant taxon, representing 15% of the total and up to 71%. Tardigrades were represented by two species, Batillipes dandarae and B. pennaki, the latter dominating in the rainy season, and both with similar abundances in the dry season. Abundance of total meiofauna and both tardigrade species differed significantly (ANOVA; P , 0.05) among stations and in the interaction between stations and seasons, but only B. dandarae varied seasonally, with higher values occurring in the dry season. The spatial variations observed were mostly related to differences in the sediment granulometry. Environmental explanatory variables explained 72.6% of the variance of dominant meiofaunal taxa in the Redundancy Analysis. Nematodes and ostracods were mostly associated with fine and very fine sands, both tardigrades with medium sand and oligochaetes with larger size-fractions of the sediment and organic matter. The data gathered here suggest that granulometry was the most important environmental factor in the meiofaunal spatial structure in tropical estuaries and both tardigrade species were closely associated with medium sand.
Moerisia inkermanica Paltschikowa-Ostroumova (Hydrozoa; Moerisidae) and Blackfordia virginica May... more Moerisia inkermanica Paltschikowa-Ostroumova (Hydrozoa; Moerisidae) and Blackfordia virginica Mayer (Hydrozoa; Blackfordiidae) at Antonina Bay, Parana, Brazil. The hydromedusae Moerisia inkermanica Paltschikowa-Ostroumova, 1925 (Anthothecata) and Blackfordia virginica Mayer, 1910 (Leptothecata) were found at the mouth of the Faisqueira River, Antonina Bay, Parana, Brazil (25o21´617"S; 48o38´622"W). The specimens of M. inkermanica were sampled in waters with salinity ranging from 0 to 11‰ and temperature from 24 to 27oC and B. virginica from 2 to 11‰ and 26 to 27oC. Descriptions, photographs and information on the distribution of both species are presented. This is the second record of both species along Brazilian coast and the first one in the southern littoral. Considering that there are no previous studies in the sampled area, the invasive characteristics of both species and the intensive ship traffic in the area, they must be considered as cryptogenic species, probably with well established populations since were observed individuals young and mature ones from both sexes.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Sep 1, 2020
Microplastics (<5 mm) are present in marine ecosystems worldwide where they can be ingested by... more Microplastics (<5 mm) are present in marine ecosystems worldwide where they can be ingested by a wide range of organisms from different trophic levels. In this study we analyzed the gastrointestinal tract of 443 specimens of Stellifer brasiliensis (124 juveniles, 254 subadults, and 65 adults) sampled in tropical beaches adjacent to the Paraíba River estuary. We found 1-3 microplastics in 42 fishes (9.48%), averaging 1.31 ± 0.52 microplastics per fish. The number of ingested microplastics by the different ontogenetic stages was statistically similar, but the adults had a higher ingestion frequency (13.8%). Among subadults, the condition factor of fishes that ingested microplastics was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those that had not ingested them. The ingestion of microplastics by the different ontogenetic stages of S. brasiliensis reflects the availability of this pollutant in the studied environment and highlights the vulnerability of fishes and other organisms through food webs.
Journal of Plankton Research, Feb 1, 2021
universidade federal de pernambuco, avenida arquitetura, s/n, 50670-901, recife, pe, brazil, 2 in... more universidade federal de pernambuco, avenida arquitetura, s/n, 50670-901, recife, pe, brazil, 2 institut de recherche pour le développement (ird), marbec, univ montpellier, cnrs, ifremer, ird, 34200 sète, france, 3 departamento de pesca e aquicultura, universidade federal rural de pernambuco, rua d. manuel de medeiros, s/n, 52171-900, recife, pe, brazil and 4 departamento de sistemática e ecologia, universidade federal da paraíba, cidade universitária, 58051-900, joão pessoa, pb, brazil
Ocean Science, Dec 15, 2022
In western boundary current systems (WBCSs), strong currents flow coastward carrying oceanic wate... more In western boundary current systems (WBCSs), strong currents flow coastward carrying oceanic water masses and their associated planktonic fauna. Variation in the intensity of these currents and in the continental runoff may affect the dynamic interplay between oceanic and coastal communities. In addition, changes in the continental runoff and the thermohaline structure modulate the primary production, adding complexity to the dynamics of these oligotrophic systems. These dynamics likely shape the planktonic cnidarian communities. To further understand such relationships, we used a comprehensive dataset encompassing samples collected above the shelf and slope and around oceanic seamounts and islands of the Fernando de Noronha Ridge in the western tropical South Atlantic, in two seasons characterised by distinct thermohaline structure and circulation patterns. Results show that in the tropical South Atlantic and, likely, other western boundary systems with narrow continental shelves, coastward currents spread oceanic waters and their associated cnidarian species over the continental shelf. However, while both coastal and oceanic communities co-occur when the continental runoff is notable, oceanic species dominate almost the entire shelf during the dry season characterised by a stronger boundary current intensity. We also conclude that when the mixed-layer depth and associated nutricline are shallower, the enhanced primary productivity supports larger populations of planktonic cnidarian species through a bottom-up control.
Acta Biológica Paranaense, Dec 9, 2005
As medusas, freqüentemente, estão entre os maiores invertebrados solitários do ambiente pelágico ... more As medusas, freqüentemente, estão entre os maiores invertebrados solitários do ambiente pelágico marinho e apresentam influência significativa na composição natural do ambiente (KINGSFORD, 1993), sendo agregadoras de grande diversidade de espécies marinhas. A natureza das associações é muito variável, com casos de parasitismo (
Zootaxa, Feb 26, 2014
This study is the first faunistic inventory of hydromedusae from the inner continental shelf of P... more This study is the first faunistic inventory of hydromedusae from the inner continental shelf of Paraná State. We describe the composition of hydromedusae species, collected with bottom-trawl and Hensen nets, in campaigns carried out from 1997 to 2006. We analyzed 17,797 specimens from 578 samples, and provide descriptions, photographs, and information about the biology of the 22 species found. All species had previous records from the Brazilian coast; however, this is the first record of Bougainvillia frondosa, Ectopleura dumortieri, Cirrholovenia tetranema, Eucheilota maculata, Gossea brachymera, Solmaris corona, and Amphogona apsteini for the coast of Paraná. Most species are typical of tropical and subtropical coastal waters from the South Brazilian Bight. However, Turritopsis nutricula, Niobia dendrotentaculata, Solmaris corona, and Aglaura hemistoma are abundant in oceanic waters, and Olindias sambaquiensis and Solmaris corona are associated with colder waters (<20°C). The current number of species known for the state is 26. Additional collection effort is needed in regions not sampled in this work, such as bays and offshore waters.
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Papers by Miodeli Nogueira Júnior