Mesophotic Reefs of the Largest Brazilian Coastal Protected Area: Mapping, Characterization and Biodiversity
Pedro H. C. Pereira,
Gislaine V. Lima,
Julia C. Araujo,
Erandy Gomes,
Luís G. F. Côrtes,
Antonio V. Pontes,
Radharanne Recinos,
Andrei Cardoso,
José C. Seoane,
Camila C. P. Brito
Affiliations
Pedro H. C. Pereira
Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Rua Vigário Tenório, 194, Recife 50030-230, PE, Brazil
Gislaine V. Lima
Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Rua Vigário Tenório, 194, Recife 50030-230, PE, Brazil
Julia C. Araujo
Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 274, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-916, RJ, Brazil
Erandy Gomes
Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Rua Vigário Tenório, 194, Recife 50030-230, PE, Brazil
Luís G. F. Côrtes
Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Rua Vigário Tenório, 194, Recife 50030-230, PE, Brazil
Antonio V. Pontes
Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Rua Vigário Tenório, 194, Recife 50030-230, PE, Brazil
Radharanne Recinos
Laboratório de Porifera—LABPOR, Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Animal, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rêgo, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
Andrei Cardoso
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, ICMBio Costa dos Corais, Base Avançada Barra de Santo Antônio, Rua Antônio Baltazar, 96, Centro, Barra de Santo Antônio 57925-000, AL, Brazil
José C. Seoane
Departamento de Geologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 274, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-916, RJ, Brazil
Camila C. P. Brito
Laboratório de Ictiologia, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, Cidade Universitária, s/n, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
Mesophotic reefs are poorly known worldwide despite their great ecological relevance and management importance for coral reef conservation strategies. To aid in filling this gap, we conducted a pioneering, large-scale survey, covering a total of around 315 miles in length, in the largest Brazilian coastal Marine Protected Area (MPA) Costa dos Corais. From the digital bathymetry model (30 to 50 m depth) generated by a multibeam echo sounder, we selected areas of greater geomorphological diversity for a detailed investigative expedition of mesophotic ecosystems. Various sampling techniques were used: single-beam echo sounders for detailing the relief, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) for habitat type investigation, baited remote underwater video (BRUV) for collecting images of the fish community, and scuba diving to perform transects describing the benthic and fish community. We analyzed reef environments from 20 to 68 m deep. As a result, we present the mapping and geomorphological characterization of two compartments of mesophotic reefs at 21–45 m depth and an image library of mesophotic ecosystems with the species description and indications of whether it is a new record in the region. Biodiversity data were collected covering eight species of sponges, with greater abundance for Ircinia spp., Aplysina spp., and Xestospongia muta; eight from corals, mainly Siderastrea spp. And Montastrea cavernosa; and 68 species of reef fish, with the Labridae family (including Scarinae—11 species) being the richest. Our results demonstrate the importance of mesophotic reefs for MPA Costa dos Corais reef biodiversity and, with that, the need to protect these areas through the application of local conservation strategies, such as the creation of “no-take zones”.
