Halophila baillonis Ascherson: first population dynamics data for the Southern Hemisphere.

The present paper presents the first population data for the Southern Hemisphere of the rare seagrass Halophila baillonis. The population studied is located in a calm, reef-protected area at depths ≤ 5 m, covering 12,000 m2 (400 m long by 30 m wide, oriented parallel to the coastline). The population generally demonstrated low shoot density and biomass during the rainy season, with significant differences between seasons, being found only for aboveground biomass. Despite the identification of this new population, the species continues to be considered rare along the Brazilian coast.

Anthropogenic microparticles accumulation in small-bodied seagrass meadows: The case of tropical estuarine species in Brazil.

Seagrass meadows have recently been highlighted as potential hotspots for microplastic and anthropogenic microparticles (APs). This study assessed AP accumulation in shallow sediments vegetated by small-bodied seagrass species (Halodule wrightii, Halophila decipiens, and H. baillonii) and in the adjacent unvegetated area in a tropical estuary on the East Coast of South America, Brazil, over the seasonal cycle. Anthropogenic microparticles were detected in 80 % of the samples, with a mean abundance of 142 ± 140 particles kg-1 dw (N = 80). Particles were predominantly blue (51 %), fiber (73 %), and smaller than 1 mm (80 %). We observed that seagrass sediments retained APs, although no significant variation was observed between seagrass and the unvegetated area, nor between the dry and rainy seasons. A positive correlation was found between sediment grain size and AP abundance. This study represents the first record of AP contamination in seagrasses from the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic bioregion.

Tar balls as a floating substrate for long-distance species dispersal.

Recent arrivals of tar balls have been observed in several tropical beaches associated with the oceanic circulation that flows to the Brazilian continental shelf. Between August and September 2022, tar balls were collected in the northeastern coast of Brazil and analyzed. Nearly 90 % of the oils were colonized by barnacles, polychaetes, decapods, and algae. Most rafting organisms were Lepas anserifera with capitulum measuring 0.32 to 22.21 mm. Based on the growth rate of barnacles and the speed of the SEC it was estimated that tar balls were floating since July and August 2022 and traveled a maximum of 1938.82 km. The organisms and tar balls' possible origin is in the international waters, near to the meso-Atlantic ridge, known for oil tanker traffic. The tar balls, in addition to the oil-related impacts, can act as a vector of long-distance species dispersion, and it needs to raise an alert, considering the possible ecological impacts.

Long range gene flow beyond predictions from oceanographic transport in a tropical marine foundation species.

The transport of passively dispersed organisms across tropical margins remains poorly understood. Hypotheses of oceanographic transportation potential lack testing with large scale empirical data. To address this gap, we used the seagrass species, Halodule wrightii, which is unique in spanning the entire tropical Atlantic. We tested the hypothesis that genetic differentiation estimated across its large-scale biogeographic range can be predicted by simulated oceanographic transport. The alternative hypothesis posits that dispersal is independent of ocean currents, such as transport by grazers. We compared empirical genetic estimates and modelled predictions of dispersal along the distribution of H. wrightii. We genotyped eight microsatellite loci on 19 populations distributed across Atlantic Africa, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Brazil and developed a biophysical model with high-resolution ocean currents. Genetic data revealed low gene flow and highest differentiation between (1) the Gulf of Mexico and two other regions: (2) Caribbean-Brazil and (3) Atlantic Africa. These two were more genetically similar despite separation by an ocean. The biophysical model indicated low or no probability of passive dispersal among populations and did not match the empirical genetic data. The results support the alternative hypothesis of a role for active dispersal vectors like grazers.

Quantification and classification of the main environmental impacts on a Halodule wrightii seagrass meadow on a tropical island in northeastern Brazil.

Multiple stress mechanisms have caused a worldwide decrease in seagrasses, which are vulnerable to environmental and/or anthropogenic pressure. The loss of seagrass meadows of Halodule wrightii is reported for the littoral of Itamaracá Island (Northeastern Brazil). The present study identified the main anthropogenic factors that negatively influenced over the abundance and distribution of seagrass meadows between July and September 2007 at the Jaguaribe and Pilar Beaches, Eastern littoral of Itamaracá. Anthropogenic impact included the discharge of untreated sewage through fluvial channels, urban and commercial development along the coast, the anchoring of motorized and non-motorized boats, diverse fishing techniques and the dumping of solid waste. The data indicates that the Pilar is an environment with a higher impact index (71.43%) when compared with the Jaguaribe (57.14%), standing out the number of boats with a central motor, the total number of boats, the presence of shellfish gatherers and coastal urban development. The present study reinforces the need for defining management and conservation measures for this ecosystem, which has high ecological and economic value.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fishery resources affected by the 2019 oil spill in Brazil: Short-term environmental health and seafood safety.

We present herein a short-term impact on marketed fisheries and human health safety in the first three months following the 2019 oil spill in Brazil. Total PAHs in the edible tissues of 34 finfish and shellfish species ranged from 8.71 to 418 ng g-1 wet weight, with robust evidence supporting crude oil contamination. A prevalence of low molecular weight PAHs was observed, mainly naphthalenes. A decreasing trend in mean total PAHs from mollusks (134 ng g-1) to crustaceans (73.9 ng g-1) and to fishes (45.3 ng g-1) was noted. The spilled oil caused immediate negative impacts on the local seafood market, despite less than 3% of samples exhibited concentrations above levels of concern, revealing a low probability for human health risks. These findings demonstrate that governments must be prepared to provide not only science-based quick responses but also effective science communication for society upon environmental disasters.

Oil spill + COVID-19: A disastrous year for Brazilian seagrass conservation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest global public health threat of the 21st century. Additionally, it has been challenging for the Brazilian shores that were recently (2019/2020) affected by the most extensive oil spill in the tropical oceans. Monitoring programs and studies about the economic, social and ecological consequences of the oil disaster were being carried out when the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic was declared, which has heavily affected Brazil. For Brazilian seagrasses conservation, this scenario is especially challenging. An estimated area of +325 km2 seagrass meadows was affected by the 2019 oil spill. However, this area is undoubtedly underestimated since seagrasses have not yet been adequately mapped along the 9000 km-long Brazilian coast. In addition to scientific budget cuts, the flexibilization of public and environmental policies in recent years and absence of systematic field surveys due to COVID-19 has increased the underestimation of affected seagrass areas and ecosystem service losses due to the oil spill. Efforts to understand and solve the oil spill crisis were forced to stop (or slow down) due to COVID-19 and the economic crisis, leaving ecosystems and society without answers or conditions to identify the source(s) that was/were responsible for this spill, mitigate the damage to poor communities, promote adequate impact assessment or restoration plans, or properly monitor the environment. Our results highlight that pandemic and large-scale environmental disasters may have had a synergistic effect on the economy (e.g., artisanal fisheries and tourism), public health and ecology, mainly due to government inaction, social inequality and poorly studied tropical ecosystems. The results of this study also demonstrate the need to analyze the short- and long-term impacts of the combined effects (oil spill + COVID-19) on the recovery of the economy and coastal ecosystems.

Biodiversity of aquatic environments in a peri-urban Atlantic Forest protected remnant: a checklist / Biodiversidade de ambientes aquáticos em remanescente protegido da Mata Atlântica periurbana: um checklist

Abstract: We present a checklist for the aquatic biodiversity from two reservoirs within a PPBio (Biodiversity Research Program) site in a peri-urban forest fragment, the Dois Irmãos State Park (PEDI), in Pernambuco, Brazil. We obtained the data via extensive field collection and information from a specialized literature survey. We recorded 397 species in 156 families; the animal was the most abundant group (140 species) followed by fungi taxa (103), periphyton (69), aquatic macrophytes (44), and terrestrial plants in flooded areas (41). This review reflects different sample efforts toward selected groups and allows the definition of a long-term protocol for guiding new research based on the identified knowledge gaps revealed. Future ecological research should address the influence of the trophic state of the reservoirs, as well as the effects of competitive exclusion and predation on the long-term viability of the local diversity.

Resumo: Apresentamos uma lista da biodiversidade aquática de dois reservatórios em um sítio do PPBio (Programa de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade) em um fragmento de floresta peri-urbana, o Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos (PEDI), em Pernambuco, Brasil. Obtivemos os dados através de extensa coleta de campo e informações de pesquisa bibliográfica especializada. Registramos 397 espécies em 156 famílias; os animais foram o grupo mais abundante (140 espécies), seguido pelos fungos (103), perifíton (69), macrófitas aquáticas (44) e plantas terrestres em áreas alagadas (41). Esta revisão reflete diferentes esforços de amostra para grupos selecionados e permite a definição de um protocolo de longo prazo para orientar novas pesquisas com base nas lacunas de conhecimento identificadas. Pesquisas ecológicas futuras devem abordar a influência do estado trófico dos reservatórios, bem como os efeitos da exclusão competitiva e predação na viabilidade a longo prazo da diversidade local.

Alterações ambientais independentes da resposta: um estudo sobre desamparo aprendido, comportamento supersticioso e o papel do relato verbal / Response independent environmental changes: a study on learned helplessness, superstitious behavior, and the role of verbal report

O presente trabalho foi uma tentativa de produzir desamparo aprendido com sujeitos humanos e, também, de proporcionar uma descrição acurada das contingências em vigor para os grupos submetidos tanto à controlabilidade quanto à incontrolabilidade. Para tanto, dois experimentos foram realizados. No primeiro experimento, o objetivo foi: investigar os efeitos de procedimento similar ao utilizado por Hatfield & Job (1998) na produção de desamparo aprendido. Nesse procedimento, diferentemente do procedimento mais comum utilizado para a distribuição dos estímulos aversivos no grupo acoplado, a ordem de apresentação desses estímulos (no caso, sons estridentes) foi randomizada, a fim de impedir a concentração de estímulos com determinadas características (no caso, sons de curta duração) em determinados momentos do treino. No segundo experimento, além desse mesmo objetivo, pretendeu-se verificar quais os efeitos de solicitações de relato verbal sobre as contingências em vigor, realizadas em algumas tentativas, ao longo da fase de treino, na produção de desamparo aprendido. Participaram do primeiro experimento 28 participantes distribuídos em três grupos: Contingente (9 participantes), Acoplado (9 participantes) e Controle (10 participantes). Para os participantes do grupo Contingente a resposta de teclar F1 três vezes interrompia o som na fase de treino; já no teste, a resposta de clicar, também três vezes, sobre um de três retângulos (o da esquerda) apresentados na tela do computador interrompia o som. Para os participantes do grupo Acoplado, nenhuma resposta nas teclas disponíveis interrompia o som na fase de treino, já no teste a mesma resposta requerida para os participantes do grupo Contingente foi requisitada. Os participantes do grupo Controle somente foram submetidos à fase de teste, na qual a mesma resposta requerida para os grupos Contingente e Acoplado foi requisitada. Em ambas as fases, quarenta sons foram apresentados aos participantes deste experimento. No segundo experimento, 20 participantes foram distribuídos em dois grupos: Contingente Relato Verbal (10 participantes) e Acoplado Relato Verbal (10 participantes). O procedimento para os participantes destes dois grupos foi igual ao dos participantes do grupo Contingente e Acoplado do Experimento 1, exceto que, em oito tentativas ao longo da fase de treino, era solicitado que o participante descrevesse a contingência em vigor...(AU)