Spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the Northeast of Brazil

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.

Citation: Martinez A, Mendes LF, Leite TS (2021). Spatial distribution of epibenthic molluscs on a sandstone reef in the Northeast of Brazil. v1. Tropical and Subtropical Western South Atlantic OBIS. Dataset/Samplingevent. http://ipt.iobis.org/wsaobis/resource?r=epibenthic_molluscs_maracajureef_brazil&v=1.0

Published: July 23, 2021 at 20:34

URL: http://ipt.iobis.org/wsaobis/resource?r=epibenthic_molluscs_maracajureef_brazil