Papers by Ana Carolina Almeida
Espécies marinhas exóticas e invasoras na Baía de Todos os Santos, Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil.
Briozoários Marinhos do Litoral Norte da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil.
Marine Biodiversity, 2017
Bryozoans belonging to the suborder Malacostegina are commonly found in ports and bays around the... more Bryozoans belonging to the suborder Malacostegina are commonly found in ports and bays around the world. They are often related to bioinvasion events and can be adapted to life on floating substrata, show tolerance to environmental stress and grow quickly when compared to other encrusting bryozoan species. Malacostegine bryozoans are simple morphologically, with few informative characters to distinguish taxa. Even so, the use of consistent morpholog- ical characters in addition to new ones may be helpful in providing confident taxonomic identifications needed for this common group in the fouling invasive community. Here, we provide taxonomic remarks on 13 species of Malacostegina from Bahia State, northeast Brazil. One new species, Conopeum loki n. sp., is described. At least six species report- ed here are originally from the Indo-Pacific region and are considered non-indigenous to the Atlantic Ocean: Biflustra grandicella, Biflustra irregulata, Biflustra okadai nom. nov., Arbocuspis bellula, Arbopercula bengalensis and Sinoflustra annae. Most of these taxa were collected at Todos os Santos Bay, a region with intense shipping traffic, tourism, activities of oil exploration and where other invertebrates, including bryozoans, have been already recognised as exotic.
Although no immediate environmental or economic impact has been reported for the species here described, the detection of these exotic taxa constitute the first step in preventing bioinvasion events.
Marine Biodiversity, 2020
Here, we present the taxonomy of five little-known cheilostome smittinid species of Bahia State, ... more Here, we present the taxonomy of five little-known cheilostome smittinid species of Bahia State, northeast Brazil, assigned to Hemismittoidea Soule & Soule, 1973, Smittina Norman, 1903, and Smittoidea Osburn, 1952. Specimens of four species previ- ously reported in the studied area were reassessed: Hemismittoidea asymmetrica Ramalho et al., 2018, Smittina affinis (Hincks, 1862), Smittoidea evelinae (Marcus, 1937), and Smittoidea reticulata (MacGillivray, 1842). Hemismittoidea asymmetrica here is considered a junior synonym of Hemismittoidea corallinea Soule & Soule, 1973. The last three species here are assigned to Smittina smittiella Osburn, 1947, Smittoidea numma (Marcus, 1949) comb. nov., and Smittoidea complexa sp. nov., respectively. An additional species, Smittoidea pacifica Soule & Soule, 1973, is recorded for the first time in Brazil. Diagnostic characters of Smittinidae genera and species are discussed, and new combinations are proposed. Most of the taxa reported here were collected from natural substrata, mainly from coral reefs and rhodoliths, and also from artificial structures such as experimental plates, which can provide evidence regarding the passive dispersal ability of these animals (e.g., as hull fouling) and their potential for bioinvasion along the Brazilian coast.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2018
Bryozoa is a phylum of aquatic invertebrates widely distributed around the world, including harbo... more Bryozoa is a phylum of aquatic invertebrates widely distributed around the world, including harbor areas. They have association to artificial structures as main mechanism of dispersal, including ships, which facilitates their introduction to new environments. The detection of exotic species is important to prevent new introductions and to propose management strategies of marine areas. Thus, after analyzing and discussing local and global criteria of exotic species, an account of exotic bryozoans from Brazil is presented, including 12 classified as exotic (six established and six detected) and 17 classified as potentially exotic (cryptogenic). Three species have been reported causing economic or environmental impacts worldwide. Of those, Membraniporopsis tubigera is known to cause economic impacts on the Brazilian coast. Hull fouling is the main dispersal mechanism for exotic bryozoans. The lacking of reliable data did not allow inferring on the exotic status on some fouling bryozoan species in Brazil.
Zootaxa, 2020
Brittle stars are considered one of the main benthic groups at the Brazilian coast, where they oc... more Brittle stars are considered one of the main benthic groups at the Brazilian coast, where they occur in high abundance and diversity. Ophiothrix Müller & Troschel, 1840 is among the most common genera of ophiuroids, with hundreds of specimens deposited in Brazilian Zoological Collections. Here we reviewed the species of Ophiothrix of Brazil and elucidated the taxonomic status of the six species previously reported in Brazilian waters-Ophiothrix ailsae Tommasi, 1970, Ophiothrix angulata (Say, 1825), Ophiothrix brachyactis H. L. Clark, 1915, Ophiothrix rathbuni Ludwig, 1882, Ophiothrix suensoni Lütken, 1856 and Ophiothrix trindadensis Tommasi, 1970. Three of these were not found among the 1.134 specimens analyzed in this study-O. ailsae, O. angulata and O. brachyactis. Most specimens previously attributed to these three taxa are here assigned to Ophiothrix brasiliensis n. sp. due having disc covered by short spines with 2-6 thorns at the apex and triangular radial shields covered only by short bifid and trifid spines. Three other new species are also described. Ophiothrix spiniformis n. sp. has a disc covered by long spines with denticules along their complete length and an apex with spinelets and radial shields covered by short bifid and trifid spines. Ophiothrix tommasii n. sp. is characterized by the interradial regions of the disc and radial shields being covered by spines with 2-7 thorns at the tip, and by the presence of small spines on the first dorsal arm plate. Ophiothrix troscheli n. sp. has a disc covered by long conical spines and naked, triangular radial shields. An identification key for the Ophiothrix species of Brazil is provided.
Zootaxa, 2020
At date, seven species of Stylopoma Levinsen, 1909 are reported from the Brazilian coast, five of... more At date, seven species of Stylopoma Levinsen, 1909 are reported from the Brazilian coast, five of which are known from Bahia State in the northeastern region. Here we describe four new species of Stylopoma, all from Bahia State: Stylopoma corallinum n. sp., Stylopoma faceluciae n. sp., Stylopoma multiavicularia n. sp. and Stylopoma sinuata n. sp. Unlike the Caribbean species of Stylopoma, that mainly have rounded primary orifice and slit-like sinus, the morphology of the primary orifice of Brazilian taxa, including the new species presented here, is quite variable. In the newly described taxa, the sinus is drop-shaped in S. corallinum n. sp. and S. faceluciae n. sp., U-shaped in S. multiavicularia n. sp. and V-shaped in S. sinuata n. sp. Like congeners from the Caribe, S. corallinum n. sp., S. faceluciae n. sp. and S. multiavicularia n. sp. have avicularia on the surface of the ooecia. Remarks on the morphological characters currently used in Stylopoma taxonomy are provided, including a comparative table of all living species worldwide.
As sessile organisms, bryozoans are among the commonest components of the encrusting communities ... more As sessile organisms, bryozoans are among the commonest components of the encrusting communities on hard sub-strata. On unconsolidated bottoms, benthic animals and their carapaces, including mollusk shells, represent potential surfaces for encrustation. Here we describe the bryozoan fauna growing on disarticulated bivalve shells collected intertidally on Itaparica beach, Todos os Santos Bay, northeast Brazil. We examined a total of 382 valves representing seven species of bivalves, among which we found 82 valves of three bivalve species to be encrusted by bryozo-ans, with 109 bryozoan colonies detected overall. We identified 11 cheilostome bryozoan species, among which Phidoloporidae and Smittinidae were the most diverse, with four and two species, respectively. We redescribed two bryozoan species, Parasmittina loxoides and Rhynchozoon phrynoglossum, and describe another two, Pleurocodo-nellina marcusi n. sp. and Rhynchozoon itaparicaensis n. sp., as new. A new combination for Cribella triangulata Canu & Bassler, 1928 is proposed, including Calyptotheca tenuata Harmer, 1957 as a new junior subjective synonym of Calyptotheca triangulata n. comb. All but one of the 11 species have encrusting colonies; Licornia aff. diadema, forms erect branching colonies. For seven of the bryozoans, ours are the first records of these species growing on shells. Although the majority of bryozoans we studied have also been reported on other substrata, Rhynchozoon brasiliensis and Parasmittina loxoides were predominant in the fauna, comprising 79 (72%) of all colonies inventoried. Due to the lack of information on the distribution of these species in northeastern Brazil, further studies are needed to determine whether they show any substratum preference.
A new species of the erect cheilostome bryozoan Cellaria Ellis & Solander, 1786 is described from... more A new species of the erect cheilostome bryozoan Cellaria Ellis & Solander, 1786 is described from Bahia, NE Brazil. Cellaria oraneae sp. nov. is the first formally characterized species of the genus reported from Northeastern coast of Brazil, distinguished from all congeners by the combination of hexagonal autozooids and rhomboid fertile zooids, hexagonal interzooidal avicularium with sagittate foramen, completely immersed ovicell with oval aperture and proximal rectangular lip. A brief discussion of the diversity of Cellaria from the Atlantic Ocean and a tabular identification key to these species are also provided.
Ophiotrichidae Ljungman, 1867 comprises brittle stars diagnosed by the absence of oral papillae a... more Ophiotrichidae Ljungman, 1867 comprises brittle stars diagnosed by the absence of oral papillae and presence of a cluster of dental papillae covering at least half the height of the dental plate. Ophiothrix Müller & Troschel, 1840 is the largest genus in the family and is composed of many species with a highly variable morphology. Ophiothrix angulata is one species with descriptions showing morphological variation in many of the diagnostic characters stated by Say (1825) in the original description. Say's (1825) type material and specimens studied by him could be located. Thus, in order to elucidate the taxonomic identity of O. angulata and following Article 75 of the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature, here we propose the neotype designation of O. angulata based on topotype specimens from South Carolina, United States. A discussion of the records of O. angulata from the Atlantic Ocean is included. Taxonomic comments on the genus Oph-iothrix are also provided.
As primary or obligate sessile organisms, bryozoans depend upon a substratum resource that affect... more As primary or obligate sessile organisms, bryozoans depend upon a substratum resource that affects their abundance, distribution and diversity. These animals can colonize virtually any type of substratum, including other organisms and artificial structures. Associations between bryozoans and sponges are commonly reported in the literature, but there are few studies discussing the association between these two taxa in detail. Here we present data on the bryozoan community found on shallow-water sponges from Bahia coast, northeastern Brazil, including their taxonomic status, colony form and adaptative structures utilized by these bryozoans to grow on sponges. Twenty-one bryozoan species were found attached to the surface of sixteen species of sponges. Five new species of cheilostome bryozoans are described. A total of 105 colonies were studied and most of them are erect delicate branching (44 colonies) and encrusting patches (34 colonies). The majority of bryozoan colonies were attached to the surface of rugose-textured sponges (67 colonies; 61%). This suggests that bryozoans are more likely to settle on irregular and rough surfaces. Patches colonies were mainly attached to the portion of the sponge that was in contact with the seabed, and spot colonies were particularly found in spatial refuges, showing the preference of larvae to settle on shaded and less exposed substrata. Most erect bryozoans were attached to the lateral sponge surface, other colonies grew on the underside and few on the upper surface of the sponges. These colonies were attached either using anchoring rhizoids, rigid bases, or stolons. The bryozoan species and genera reported here are common in northeastern Brazil and considered generalists in terms of larval settlement requirements. The bryozoan-sponge association studied is considered a non-obligatory commensalism (inquilinism).
Thirteen cheilostome bryozoan species from intertidal habitats of Maceió, Alagoas State, Brazil, ... more Thirteen cheilostome bryozoan species from intertidal habitats of Maceió, Alagoas State, Brazil, are reported here. We describe four new species: Aetea cultrata n. sp., Biflustra marcusi n. sp., Biflustra sphinx n. sp. and Jellyella brasiliensis n. sp. Two other species of Inovicellina, Aetea arcuata Winston & Hayward, 2012, and Aetea curta Jullien, 1888, and four species of Malacostegina, Arbocuspis bellula (Hincks, 1881), Arbocuspis bicornis (Hincks, 1881), Arbocuspis ramosa (Osburn, 1940), and Jellyella tuberculata (Bosc, 1802), are reported on drift algae. Three species of Thalamoporellina are found for the first time in Maceió, Labioporella tuberculata Winston, Vieira & Woollacoot, 2014, Steginoporella magnilabris (Busk, 1854) and Thalamoporella floridana Osburn, 1940.
Bryozoans constitute an important component of marine-fouling communities of anthropogenic substr... more Bryozoans constitute an important component of marine-fouling communities of anthropogenic substrata. Many species have been reported as exotic or widespread around the world, typically in ports and harbors of non-polar regions. Here we present the first record of a species of the bryozoan Triphyllozoon in the Atlantic Ocean. Triphyllozoon arcuatum (MacGillivray, 1889), described originally from Australia, is reported herein from natural substrata in Singapore and natural and artificial substrata in Brazil. Although easily recognizable, the species has not been previously reported from anywhere else in the Atlantic. In the latter instance, the species was collected during monitoring of the invasive scleractinian corals Tubastraea spp. on an oil platform originally from Singapore and now located at Todos os Santos Bay, northeastern Brazil. Colonies of T. arcuatum were also found associated with three species of sponges, giving evidence that it is also growing in the natural environment. Todos os Santos Bay is characterized by intense commercial shipping traffic and oil exploration and the finding of T. arcuatum on an oil platform provides strong evidence that it represents a non-indigenous species in the Atlantic. Owing to the possible impact of T. arcuatum in Brazil, further studies and monitoring of its bioinvasion are recommended.
Here we present the taxonomy of the cheilostome genera Adeonellopsis MacGillivray, 1886 and Repta... more Here we present the taxonomy of the cheilostome genera Adeonellopsis MacGillivray, 1886 and Reptadeonella Busk, 1884 in Brazil. Of the six species previously reported in Brazilian waters, we include redescriptions of Adeonellopsis subsulcata (Smitt, 1873), Reptadeonella bipartita (Canu & Bassler, 1928) and Reptadeonella costulata (Canu & Bassler, 1928). Four new species of Reptadeonella are described: Reptadeonella aspera n. sp., Reptadeonella brasiliensis n. sp. (previously misidentified as Reptadeonella violacea), Reptadeonella cucullata n. sp. and Reptadeonella leilae n. sp. Reptadeonella aspera n. sp., from Bahia State, is characterized by rugose frontal calcification, a tubular peristome, small suboral avicularium and elliptical spiramen. Reptadeonella brasiliensis n. sp. is the commonest intertidal species in NE Brazil; it is distinguished from other Brazilian Reptadeonella in having a nodular peristome, large peristomial pore and zooids with one or two frontal pores frequently replaced by a suboral avicularium and crescentic spiramen. Reptadeonella cucullata n. sp., from Espírito Santo and Bahia states, has a hood-like peristome, large subperistomial areolar pore, suboral avicularium with curved mandible and denticulate spiramen. Reptadeonella leilae n. sp., described from Bahia State, has a frontal shield with small granules, tubular peristome, semilunar to semicircular subperistomial areolar pore and circular spiramen. Diagnostic characters of Reptadeonella species are discussed.
A checklist of Gymnolaemata bryozoans from Bahia State, north-east Brazil, is presented. Specimen... more A checklist of Gymnolaemata bryozoans from Bahia State, north-east Brazil, is presented. Specimens are lodged in the Bryozoa collection of the Museu de Zoologia at the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). The checklist comprises 135 species in 54 families, the majority belonging to the order Cheilostomata.
Colatooeciidae includes the genera Colatooecia, Cigclisula and Trematooecia. While Colatooecia is... more Colatooeciidae includes the genera Colatooecia, Cigclisula and Trematooecia. While Colatooecia is considered a well- defined genus, the differences between Cigclisula and Trematooecia are poorly defined. This taxonomic review was un- dertaken to understand the morphological differences between Cigclisula and Trematooecia. The type species of Cigclisula is redescribed and the type species of Trematooecia is designated and redescribed. Diagnostic characters of both genera are redefined. Six new species of Cigclisula and one of Trematooecia are described: Cigclisula australis n. sp., Cigclisula buski n. sp., Cigclisula fistulosa n. sp., Cigclisula osburni n. sp., Cigclisula perforata n. sp., Cigclisula winstonae n. sp. and Trematooecia rotunda n. sp. Four species previously assigned to Cigclisula are transferred to Trematooecia: Trematooecia arborescens (Canu & Bassler, 1928) n. comb., Trematooecia gemmea (Winston & Woollacott, 2009) n. comb., Trematooecia hexagonalis (Canu & Bassler, 1930), and Trematooecia verticalis (Maplestone, 1910) n. comb. Two species previously assigned to Trematooecia are transferred to Cigclisula: Cigclisula turrita (Smitt, 1873) and Cigclisula psammophila (Winston & Håkansson, 1986) n. comb.
Two new species of cheilostome bryozoans are described from Bahia and Espírito Santo States, Braz... more Two new species of cheilostome bryozoans are described from Bahia and Espírito Santo States, Brazil—Calyptooecia conuma n. sp. and Hippotrema fissurata n. sp. Both genera are registered for the first time in the South Atlantic Ocean. Inter alia, Calyptooecia conuma n. sp. is characterized by the presence of dimorphic brooding zooids with relatively small orifices and no perioral tubercles, contrasting with bigger non-brooding zooids having larger orifices surrounded by perioral tubercles. Hippotrema fissurata n. sp. differs from congeners in colony morphology and colour, in details of the ooecium and in zooidal metrics. Specimens were collected on varied substrata, commonly calcareous nodules and shells as well as other bryozoans and sponges.
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Papers by Ana Carolina Almeida
Although no immediate environmental or economic impact has been reported for the species here described, the detection of these exotic taxa constitute the first step in preventing bioinvasion events.
Although no immediate environmental or economic impact has been reported for the species here described, the detection of these exotic taxa constitute the first step in preventing bioinvasion events.