Snapshot of macroalgae and fish assemblages in temperate reefs in the Southern European Atlantic ecoregion

Franco, Joao N.; Arenas, Francisco; Sousa-Pinto, Isabel; Santos, Carmen B. de los

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/5090

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Authors

Franco, Joao N.

Arenas, Francisco

Sousa-Pinto, Isabel

Santos, Carmen B. de los

Abstract(s)

Most of the biodiversity studies in the South European Atlantic Shelf ecoregion are limited to shallow subtidal or intertidal habitats, while deeper reef habitats, also of relevant ecological importance, are particularly understudied. Macroalgal communities, associated fauna, and sea surface temperature were studied in deep reefs (25–30 m) at two locations in this ecoregion: Parcel, North of Portugal (41º N), and Tarifa, Southern Spain (35º N). Specifically, algal assemblages were assessed using biomass collection and associated ichthyofauna was assessed using visual census techniques using scuba. Seawater surface temperature was higher (>3º C) in the southern region—Tarifa, compared to the northern region—Parcel. Our survey revealed 18 fish species and 23 algae species. The highest abundance of cold-water species (both macroalgae and fish species) was recorded in Parcel and warm-water species were dominant in Tarifa. In light of climate global trends, both regions might experience biodiversity shifts towards tropicalization. Current knowledge on their biodiversity is imperative to further evaluate potential shifts.

Description

Funding: João N. Franco and Carmen B. de los Santos were supported by the Portuguese national funds from FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology through fellowships SFRH/BD/84933/2012 and SFRH/BPD/119344/2016, respectively. Additional funding was provided from the project SEEINGSHORE (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-031893), co-financed by NORTE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds. This study also received Portuguese national funds from FCT through the project UID/Multi/04326/2019.

Keywords

Fauna Flora Marine ecoregions Diversity Iberian Peninsula Seaweeds Ichthyofauna Algae

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/5090

Citation

Franco, J.N.; Arenas, F.; Sousa-Pinto, I.; de los Santos, C.B. Snapshot of Macroalgae and Fish Assemblages in Temperate Reefs in the Southern European Atlantic Ecoregion. Diversity 2020, 12, 26.