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New non-native ornamental octocorals threatening a South-west Atlantic reef

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2022

N. M. Menezes Open the ORCID record for N. M. Menezes [Opens in a new window] ,
C. S. McFadden Open the ORCID record for C. S. McFadden [Opens in a new window] ,
R. J. Miranda Open the ORCID record for R. J. Miranda [Opens in a new window] ,
J. A. C. C. Nunes Open the ORCID record for J. A. C. C. Nunes [Opens in a new window] ,
L. Lolis Open the ORCID record for L. Lolis [Opens in a new window] ,
F. Barros Open the ORCID record for F. Barros [Opens in a new window] ,
C. L. S. Sampaio Open the ORCID record for C. L. S. Sampaio [Opens in a new window]  and
T. K. Pinto Open the ORCID record for T. K. Pinto [Opens in a new window]
N. M. Menezes*
Affiliation:
Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Meio ambiente, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40.170-115, Salvador-BA, Brazil
C. S. McFadden
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
R. J. Miranda
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ictiologia e Ecologia de Recifes, Centro de Biociencias, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Professor Moraes Rego s/n, 50.670-420, Recife-PE, Brazil
J. A. C. C. Nunes
Affiliation:
Reef Ecology Group, N42, 40.155-010, Salvador-BA, Brazil Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40.170-000, Salvador-BA, Brazil Instituto Meros do Brazil, Ponto Focal Alagoas, Brazil
L. Lolis
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40.170-000, Salvador-BA, Brazil
F. Barros
Affiliation:
Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Meio ambiente, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40.170-115, Salvador-BA, Brazil Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40.170-000, Salvador-BA, Brazil Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdisciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (INCT IN-TREE), Brazil
C. L. S. Sampaio
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação, Unidade Educacional Penedo, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Av. Beira Rio s/n, Centro Histórico, 57.200-000, Penedo-AL, Brazil
T. K. Pinto
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, Unidade Educacional Penedo, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Av. Beira Rio s/n, Centro Histórico, 57.200-000, Penedo-AL, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: N. M. Menezes, E-mail: menezes.natalia@gmail.com
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Abstract

Invasive species are leading to ecosystem changes and socioeconomic deterioration around the globe. In 2018, unknown soft corals were noticed forming a massive ‘blue carpet’ on a shallow reef environment at Todos os Santos Bay, South-west Atlantic. In this study we identified the species, quantified their distribution and abundance as a first step for baseline invasion monitoring, and discussed origin, vector and impacts on native competitors. Coral samples were identified based on morphology and a multilocus DNA barcode, and benthic structure was characterized using digital photoquadrats. Our results revealed two new harmful non-native octocorals in this tropical rocky reef, the ‘blue polyps’ genus Sarcothelia (Xeniidae), native to Hawaii but likely an undescribed cryptic species, and Briareum hamrum (Briareidae), native to the Indian Ocean. Sarcothelia sp. was the dominant taxon in the rocky reef (mean cover 23.66% ± 21.46), exhibiting high coverage as well in the sandy and patch reef habitats (15.83% ± 15.81), however, only three colonies of B. hamrum were found, all outside the sampling area. These octocorals were in physical contact with native benthic organisms, mainly with the most abundant group, but apparently avoid turf algae in sandy and patch reef habitats. We suggest that irresponsible marine aquarium releases likely introduced these species to Brazilian reefs. After identifying the aquarium trade as the main vector of octocoral introductions, we reinforce the importance of inspecting marine species importation and the urgent need to implement a government plan to mitigate invasive species' impacts on the natural reefs of Brazil.

Keywords

BrazilBriareum hamrumexotic speciesmarine aquarium tradeSarcotheliasoft corals
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 101 , Issue 6 , September 2021 , pp. 911 - 917
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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