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- Title
Spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the Northeast of Brazil.
- Authors
Martinez, A. S.; Mendes, L. E.; Leite, T. S.
- Abstract
The present study investigated the distribution and abundance of epibenthic molluscs and their feeding habits associated to substrate features (coverage and rugosity) in a sandstone reef system in the Northeast of Brazil. Rugosity, low coral cover and high coverage of zoanthids and fleshy alga were the variables that influenced a low richness and high abundance of a few molluscan species in the reef habitat. The most abundant species were generalist carnivores, probably associated to a lesser offer and variability of resources in this type of reef system, when compared to the coral reefs. The results found in this study could reflect a normal characteristic of the molluscan community distribution in sandstone reefs, with low coral cover, or could indicate a degradation state of this habitat if it is compared to coral reefs, once that the significantly high coverage of fleshy alga has been recognized as a negative indicator of reef ecosystems health.
- Subjects
BRAZIL; MOLLUSKS; SANDSTONE; REEF fisheries; MARINE animals; SPECIES; HABITATS; ENVIRONMENTAL health; ANIMAL feeding behavior
- Publication
Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2012, Vol 72, Issue 2, p287
- ISSN
1519-6984
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1590/S1519-69842012000200009