Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research E-ISSN: 0718-560X [email protected] Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Chile Nunes, Diogo M.; Travassos, Paulo; Ferreira, Rômulo; Hazin, Fabio Distribution, relative abundance and diversity of deep-sea species at São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago, Brazil Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, vol. 44, núm. 2, mayo, 2016, pp. 228-237 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Valparaíso, Chile Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=175046298004 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res., 44(2): 228-237, 201Deep6 -sea species at São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago 228 1 DOI: 10.3856/vol44-issue2-fulltext-4 Research Article Distribution, relative abundance and diversity of deep-sea species at São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago, Brazil 1 2 3 Diogo M. Nunes , Paulo Travassos , Rômulo Ferreira3 & Fabio Hazin 1Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Fazenda Saco, Serra Talhada-PE, Brasil 2Laboratório de Ecologia Marinha, Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil 3Laboratório de Oceanografia Pesqueira, Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil Corresponding author: Diogo M. Nunes ([email protected]) ABSTRACT. The goal of the present study is to investigate vertical distribution, relative abundance and diversity of deep-sea species caught using baited traps at São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago (SPSPA). The surveys were carried out between January 2012 and June 2014 at depths ranging from 170 to 700 m, comprising 53 hauls. Five species of crustaceans, ten of fishes and three of mollusks were caught. The deep-sea geryonid crab Chaceon gordonae was the most abundant species, followed by the Gadiform (Moridae) fish Physiculus sp. The results showed a clear bathymetric stratification, with some species being restricted to shallower layers (170-300 m) and others showing a wider distribution (200-700 m). Several factors can influence the vertical distribution of these species, including oceanographic and biological characteristics. In the future, more studies should be conducted in order to elucidate the interaction between distribution, relative abundance and diversity with various elements that make up the dynamics of this complex ecosystem. Keywords: Chaceon gordonae, Physiculus sp., bottom traps, oceanic islands, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Distribución, abundancia relativa y diversidad de especies de aguas profundas en el Archipiélago de São Pedro y São Paulo, Brasil RESUMEN. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar la distribución vertical, abundancia relativa y diversidad de las especies de profundidad capturadas con trampas cebadas en el Archipiélago de São Pedro y São Paulo. Las operaciones de pesca se realizaron entre enero 2012 y junio de 2014, en profundidades de 170 a 700 m, totalizando 53 lances. Se capturaron cinco especies de crustáceos, diez de peces y tres de moluscos. El cangrejo geriónido de aguas profundas Chaceon gordonae fue la especie más abundante, seguido por el pez gadiforme (Moridae), Physiculus sp. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una clara estratificación batimétrica, con especies restringidas en las capas menos profundas (170-300 m) y otros con amplia distribución vertical (200-700 m). Existen varios factores que pueden influir en la distribución vertical de estas especies, incluyendo las características oceanográficas y biológicas. En el futuro, se requiere efectuar más estudios para comprender la interacción entre la distribución, abundancia relativa y diversidad de las especies de profundidad de este complejo ecosistema. Palabras clave: Chaceon gordonae, Physiculus sp., trampas de fondo, islas oceánicas, Cordillera Meso- Atlántica, Océano Atlántico Ecuatorial. INTRODUCTION Atlantic Ridge, being influenced by a complex system of surface and subsurface currents, and by the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago (SPSPA) is a Intertropical Convergence Zone (ICZ) (Travassos et small and isolated group of rocky islands at the al., 1999; Sichel et al., 2008). Equatorial Atlantic Ocean (0°55’10”N, 29°20’33”W), Studies conducted at SPSPA, since the first between the African and the American continents. It is scientific station was installed in 1998, have generated located about 1,010 km from the Brazilian coast a significant amount of information on this complex (Lubbock & Edwards, 1981), as part of the Mid- marine ecosystem, contributing not only to a better ____________________ Paper presented in the 5th Brazilian Congress of Marine Biology, 17-21 May 2015, Porto de Galinhas, Brazil. 2292 Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research understanding of its dynamics, but of the functioning of diameter bucket-entry; Trap 2- rectangular trap with oceanic insular ecosystems worldwide (Vaske-Jr. et al., 2.0x0.60x0.60 m and 0.15 m diameter bucket-entry; 2006; Leite et al., 2008; Motoki et al., 2010; Lima et and Trap 3- conical trap with 1.00 m diameter x 0.60 m al., 2011; Melo et al., 2012; Vieira et al., 2012; Branco height. The dimensions of the traps were based on a et al., 2013; Viana et al., 2013). previous deep-sea survey performed by the REVIZEE With regard to fish diversity, for instance, 108 Program off Northeast Brazil (Oliveira et al., 2014). species have already been identified, some of them The relative abundance of species caught was endemic to the Archipelago (Viana et al., 2009, Vaske- estimated by the catch per unit effort (CPUE) in number Jr. et al., 2010), such as Stegastes sanctipauli (Lubbock of individuals caught per haul and trap (Olivera et al., & Edwards, 1981), Prognathodes obliquus (Lubbock & 2014). For the analysis of vertical distribution, the Edwards, 1981), Enneanectes smithi (Lubbock & CPUE by species was calculated by 100 m strata. The Edwards, 1981), Anthias salmopunctatus (Lubbock & relative abundance was also compared between two Edwards, 1981), and Emblemariopsis sp. (Lubbock & areas: West Seamount and SPSPA. Differences in Edwards, 1981; Feitoza et al., 2003; Vaske-Jr. et al., CPUE between depths, area and day time (day and 2005; Floeter et al., 2008). Studies on benthic night) were tested for species with more than 10 invertebrates, on the other hand, have suggested a individuals caught and for taxonomic groups vertical stratification of communities, an aspect that (crustaceans and fishes). Five hauls that remained acquires particular importance when the steep relief of immersed between 24 and 27 h were discarded from SPSPA is taken into account, emphasizing its analysis. Statistical analysis consisted on application of ecological importance and fragility (Sichel et al., 2008; a normality test Shapiro-Wilk, followed by Bartlett Viana et al., 2009). Several other researches have Test for homogeneity of variances. After the focused on many other species, from zooplankton to heteroscedasticity of data was confirmed, a non- crabs Grapsus grapsus and Chaceon gordonae, and parametric analysis for comparison of medians was lobster Panulirus echinatus (Pinheiro et al., 2003; used (Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis). Statistical Freire et al., 2011; Melo et al., 2012; Ferreira et al., analysis were made using R Program (R Development 2016), as well as mollusks, including 48 taxa, 26 new Core Team, 2007), with 95% confident level (P < 0.05). occurrences to the area, and 19 new species for science Counts in number of individuals were used to (Leite et al., 2008; Lima et al., 2011). estimate mean abundance, number of species and All species surveys conducted in SPSPA to date, species richness index, Margalef (d’), Shannon-Wiener however, have concentrated in shallow waters, less than (H’) diversity index, and Pielou’s evenness index (J’) 250 m deep, so that current knowledge about deep-sea per haul, depth strata, area and for major assemblages, fauna of this important island ecosystem is still almost resulting in a specific classification and ordination. absent (Viana et al., 2012a). This work, therefore, Cluster analysis were calculated by means of the Bray- intended to undertake an investigation on the spatial Curtis index to inspect similarities between taxonomic distribution, relative abundance, and diversity of deep- composition for each haul in terms of relative sea species caught in SPSPA, using baited traps, in abundance (CPUE). Data were log (x+1) transformed order to expand the present knowledge on the structure and then assemblages characteristics were studied by of insular community, including the influence of multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) ordination followed by ANOSIM (Analysis of Similarities), a non- oceanographic processes in their distribution and parametric permutation procedure that tests hypotheses abundance. about sample (haul) similarity (Clarke, 1993). Groupings were then tested by SIMPER (Similarity MATERIALS AND METHODS Percentage Analysis) to identify the principal contri- butor species (Gotelli & Ellison, 2004). Multivariate Eight scientific expeditions were conducted around São analysis was performed with the help of the PRIMER Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago, with “Transmar I” (Plymouth Routines Multivariate Ecological Research) fishing boat, between January 2012 and June