Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. B. Anderson, H. T. Pinheiro, M. B. Batista, R. B. Francini-Filho, L. E. O. Gomes, A. F. Bernardino, P. Horta, J. C. Joyeux
Summary: Rhodolith beds along the Brazilian coast have a highly diverse associated fish biota, similar to macroalgae beds and coral/rocky reefs. The eastern coast serves as a biogeographic ecotone between tropical and subtropical regions, making it the most diverse portion of the Brazilian Province. However, this region is threatened by intensive extraction of rhodoliths. Conservation strategies and long-term monitoring programs are urgently needed.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Harildon M. Ferreira, Rafael A. Magris, Sergio R. Floeter, Carlos E. L. Ferreira
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the ecological effects of Brazilian MPAs and identify factors associated with their performance. The results showed that MPAs increased species abundance, individual length, and community diversity by 17%, with fully-protected MPAs showing a 45% increase in biodiversity. Partially-protected MPAs had variable effects depending on taxonomic group and exploitation level of species.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Mylene Jaen Cabrera, Luciano Ponzi Pezzi, Marcelo Freitas Santini, Ueslei Adriano Sutil, Jose Antonio Aravequia, Ricardo de Camargo
Summary: Vertical mixing and hydrostatic adjustment are the two main mechanisms explaining the stability of the marine atmospheric boundary layer in regions with intense horizontal temperature gradients. This study utilized a coupled ocean-atmosphere numerical model to simulate the southwestern Atlantic Ocean region, and found that vertical mixing and warm-air temperature advection modulated the stability of the boundary layer. The results contribute to the understanding of air-sea interactions and the physical mechanisms controlling stability.
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mayna Helena Azevedo, Natalia Rudorff, Jose Antonio Aravequia
Summary: The study compared the operational ABI SST product with in situ match-up database in Tropical and Southwestern Atlantic Ocean off the Brazilian coast in 2018, finding that ABI SST generally met GHRSST standards but had larger errors in coastal waters off southeast Brazil. The highest biases were observed in regions/seasons with persistent cloud coverage and high water-vapor content, such as the Intertropical and South Atlantic Convergence Zones, as well as dynamic frontal zones like the Brazil Malvinas Confluence Zone and coastal areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhi Wang, Ge Chen, Yong Han, Chunyong Ma, Ming Lv
Summary: This study used satellite observations to detect and analyze the position and seasonal variation of the SOF in the southwestern Atlantic. The results showed that the thermal front disappeared in winter, while the ocean color front existed without remarkable spatio-temporal changes. By comparing the paths of the two fronts, the exact position and seasonal variation of the SOF in the southwestern Atlantic were determined.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Natasha Costa, Regina R. Rodrigues
Summary: Based on scenarios from CMIP6, significant positive trends in frequency, duration, and intensity of Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) are identified in the western South Atlantic, potentially leading to a near-permanent state of MHW in the region. The main mechanism causing MHWs, atmospheric blocking, is likely to intensify in the future, emphasizing the urgency for global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
E. Perez, S. Ryan, M. Andres, G. Gawarkiewicz, C. C. Ummenhofer, J. Bane, S. Haines
Summary: The Northwest Atlantic shows signs of accelerated warming compared to the global ocean and has experienced significant marine heatwaves over the past decade. Factors such as the position of the jet stream and warm core rings shed by the Gulf Stream play important roles in the development of these heatwaves. Heatwaves in the Northwest Atlantic have significant socio-economic impacts and affect commercially important species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ana P. Dornellas, Roberta M. Graboski, Michael E. Hellberg, Tito M. C. Lotufo
Summary: The rocky intertidal gastropods Agathistoma viridulum and A. hotessierianum have an anti-tropical distribution from the Caribbean to southern Brazil, with genetic analyses revealing some phylogeographic patterns but insignificant morphological differences. Detailed taxon sampling and additional genetic data are needed to establish more robust relationships among Tegulinae.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhi Wang, Ge Chen, Chunyong Ma, Yalong Liu
Summary: A deep learning model called SAFNet is developed to accurately detect the Southwestern Atlantic Front (SAF) through the fusion of satellite-derived SST and SSH observations. The detection accuracy of SAFNet is shown to be significantly better than other models, reaching 99.45%. It is also proven that the fusion of multi-source remote sensing data is necessary for the detection of SAF.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosana Di Mauro, Santiago Castillo, Analia Perez, Clara M. Iachetti, Leonel Silva, Juan P. Tomba, Ignacio L. Chiesa
Summary: The study reveals the presence of a high abundance of microplastic fibers in the waters of the southern extreme of the Patagonian shelf in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. These fibers are predominantly composed of Polyethylene terephthalate in the size range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The findings suggest that these microplastic fibers are likely transported to the area via the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, indicating a high risk of microplastic pollution in this sub-Antarctic protected ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mariel Ferrari, Michael Hautmann
Summary: Based on a comprehensive database, this study calculates the origination and extinction percentages of gastropods during the Triassic-Jurassic transition, with a particular focus on the end-Triassic mass extinction event. The findings show that gastropods suffered a higher loss compared to other marine life, with pronounced differences among gastropod subclasses. Factors such as larval development, palaeobiogeography, shell size, and anatomy contribute to the extinction patterns observed. Potential kill mechanisms include global warming, ocean acidification, and extinction of marine plankton. The study suggests that the end-Triassic extinction of gastropods was comparable to the end-Permian mass extinction, highlighting the importance of extinction resilience in the evolutionary success of certain gastropod subclasses.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alice C. Ortmann, Kelly D. Goodwin, Henk Bolhuis, Rene Groben, Thulani Makhalanyane, Jeff Bowman, Shawn Robinson, Fabiano Thompson
Summary: International agreements recognize the importance of cooperative scientific research for the conservation and sustainable development of the Atlantic Ocean. The signing of the All-Atlantic Declaration in 2022 builds upon the relationships established by the Galway and Belem Statements. In order to implement the All-Atlantic Declaration, members of the Marine Microbiome Working Group and the Marine Biotechnology Initiative have called for increased cooperation in research to promote ocean health and a sustainable bioeconomy.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Micheli D. P. Costa, Kerrie A. Wilson, Philip J. Dyer, Roland Pitcher, Jose H. Muelbert, Anthony J. Richardson
Summary: The study found that climate change affects fish larvae and harvested fish communities differently, with both expected to move southwards in response. The research highlights the importance of modeling the integrated response of multiple species to environmental predictors for robust projections and novel insights into community changes.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xianglin Ren, Wei Liu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of weakened Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) on global marine heatwaves (MHWs) under anthropogenic warming. While the effect of AMOC slowdown on global MHWs was found to be insignificant in the past four decades, it is expected to become significant later in the 21st century, particularly in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Furthermore, the weakening AMOC will lead to more frequent MHWs in the Southern Hemisphere and less frequent MHWs in the North Hemisphere, except in the North Atlantic warming hole (NAWH) region where MHWs would persist without AMOC slowdown.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Carlos S. Melo, Carlos Marques da Silva, Daniele Scarponi, Esther Martin-Gonzalez, Emilio Rolan, Alejandra Rojas, Sergio Martinez, Luis Silva, Markes E. Johnson, Ana Cristina Rebelo, Lara Baptista, Antje Voelker, Ricardo S. Ramalho, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: To understand the evolutionary processes and patterns of current island biodiversity, a study was conducted on the Last Interglacial (LIG) period in the Macaronesia geographical region. The study presented a revised checklist and examined the status of Macaronesia as a marine biogeographic unit during the LIG. The analysis showed differences between the LIG and present-day scenarios, highlighting the importance of geographical connotation when using the term Macaronesia.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Cristiane Xerez Barroso, Joao Eduardo Pereira de Freitas, Helena Matthews-Cascon, Luis Ernesto Arruda Bezerra, Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo
Article
Ecology
Juan J. Cruz-Motta, Patricia Miloslavich, Edlin Guerra-Castro, Alejandra Hernandez-Agreda, Cesar Herrera, Francisco Barros, Sergio A. Navarrete, Roger D. Sepulveda, Tim M. Glasby, Gregorio Bigatti, Maritza Cardenas-Calle, Pedro B. M. Carneiro, Alvar Carranza, Augusto A. V. Flores, Patricia Gil-Kodaka, Judith Gobin, Jorge L. Gutierrez, Eduardo Klein, Marcos Krull, Juan F. Lazarus, Edgardo Londono-Cruz, Tito Lotufo, Erasmo C. Macaya, Camilo Mora, Elba Mora, Gabriela Palomo, Mirtala Parrague, Franciane Pellizzari, Roberto Retamales, Rosana M. Rocha, Leonardo Romero
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2020)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
F. Negrao, C. H. F. Lacerda, T. H. Melo, A. Bianchini, E. N. Calderon, C. B. Castro, R. T. S. Cordeiro, R. J. S. Dias, R. B. Francini-Filho, F. M. Guebert, A. Z. Guth, B. Hetzel, P. A. Horta, T. M. C. Lotufo, M. M. Mahiques, M. Mies, D. O. Pires, K. P. Salvi, P. Y. G. Sumida
Summary: Researchers investigated the poorly explored Royal Charlotte Bank and found a diverse ecosystem mainly composed of rhodoliths, which may already be impacted by anthropogenic factors related to climate change and fisheries. Further investigations are needed to understand the extent of biodiversity, assess main threats, and evaluate potential conservation and management measures.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silas C. Principe, Andre L. Acosta, Joao E. Andrade, Tito M. C. Lotufo
Summary: Many species play important roles in adding structural complexity to ecosystems, with coral species serving as habitat-forming species in coral reefs. However, with climate change, shifts in the distributions of coral species can lead to habitat loss and potential disappearance of key reef builders in the future, impacting the associated communities in regions like the Tropical Northwestern Atlantic and the Brazilian coast. Urgent action is needed to ensure the preservation of functional reefs in the Atlantic in the future.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcelo Oliveira Soares, Francisco Rafael de Lima Xavier, Nalu Maia Dias, Maiara Queiroz Monteiro da Silva, Jadson Pinto de Lima, Cristiane Xerez Barroso, Leandro Manzoni Vieira, Sandra Vieira Paiva, Helena Matthews-Cascon, Luis Ernesto Arruda Bezerra, Ronaldo Ruy Oliveira-Filho, Sula Salani, Enio Victor Paiva Bandeira
Summary: This study conducted a baseline assessment of introduced marine species along the Brazilian semiarid coast, identifying introduced species and main vectors of introduction, as well as recognizing species that pose threats to ecosystems. The study also highlighted the region as a hotspot of bioinvasion in the tropical South Atlantic.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ana P. Dornellas, Roberta M. Graboski, Michael E. Hellberg, Tito M. C. Lotufo
Summary: The rocky intertidal gastropods Agathistoma viridulum and A. hotessierianum have an anti-tropical distribution from the Caribbean to southern Brazil, with genetic analyses revealing some phylogeographic patterns but insignificant morphological differences. Detailed taxon sampling and additional genetic data are needed to establish more robust relationships among Tegulinae.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Carolina Oliveira de Meirelles, Katherine Fiedler Choi-Lima, Thais Moura Campos Vila Nova, Emygdio Leite de Araujo Monteiro-Filho, Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo
Summary: This study examined the site fidelity, population abundance, and apparent survival of Guiana dolphins in Mucuripe Embayment, Brazil. The results showed a low abundance of the dolphins in the area, highlighting the need for immediate conservation efforts. Monitoring studies should continue with increased effort to reduce uncertainty in estimates and detect trends of decline.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cristiane Xerez Barroso, Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo, Alisson Sousa Matos, Pedro Bastos de Macedo Carneiro, Helena Matthews-Cascon
Summary: The larval stage plays a critical role in the biology of marine animals, impacting their fitness, bathymetric distribution, and geographic distribution. This study assesses the relationship between larval development type, adult characteristics, and geographic distribution of benthic gastropods in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The results show that larval development type is the most important predictor of geographic distribution, while habitat diversity and depth range also play a role.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Isadora Cord, Lucas T. Nunes, Cristiane X. Barroso, Andrea S. Freire, Otto B. F. Gadig, Paula B. Gomes, Carlos F. D. Gurgel, Alberto Lindner, Fernando L. Mantelatto, Alessandra K. G. Targino, Sergio R. Floeter
Summary: The study investigates species distribution patterns in the Brazilian Marine Province (BMP) using a multi-taxa approach and environmental factors. The results show that environmental variables explain a significant portion of species clustering patterns, with sea surface temperature, water turbidity, and current velocity being important factors. The study also reveals a latitudinal gradient of species richness and identifies distinct areas in terms of environmental and biotic data.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pedro B. M. Carneiro, Antonio R. Ximenes Neto, Bruno Juca-Queiroz, Carlos E. P. Teixeira, Caroline Feitosa, Cristiane X. Barroso, Helena Matthews-Cascon, Jader O. de Morais, Joao E. P. Freitas, Jones Santander-Neto, Jorge T. de Araujo, Leonardo H. U. Monteiro, Lidriana S. Pinheiro, Marcus D. A. Braga, Ralf T. S. Cordeiro, Sergio Rossi, Sonia Bejarano, Sula Salani, Tatiane M. Garcia, Tito M. C. Lotufo, Tyler B. Smith, Vicente V. Faria, Marcelo O. Soares
Summary: Large gaps in reef distribution hindering biodiversity maintenance in eastern South America have been found to be filled with the presence of extensive reef habitats, creating one of the world's largest continuous tropical marine ecosystems.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Marcelo de Oliveira Soares, Carlos Eduardo Peres Teixeira, Luis Ernesto Arruda Bezerra, Sandra Vieira Paiva, Tallita Cruz Lopes Tavares, Tatiane Martins Garcia, Jorge The de Araujo, Carolina Coelho Campos, Sarah Maria Cavalcante Ferreira, Helena Matthews-Cascon, Alice Frota, Tarin Cristino Frota Mont'Alverne, Solange Teles Silva, Emanuelle Fontenele Rabelo, Cristiane Xerez Barroso, Joao Eduardo Pereira de Freitas, Mauro de Melo Junior, Renata Polyana de Santana Campelo, Claudeilton Severino de Santana, Pedro Bastos de Macedo Carneiro, Antonio Jeovah Meirelles, Braulio Almeida Santos, Andre Henrique Barbosa de Oliveira, Paulo Horta, Rivelino Martins Cavalcante
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. O. Soares, C. E. P. Teixeira, L. E. A. Bezerra, S. Rossi, T. Tavares, R. M. Cavalcante
Meeting Abstract
Chemistry, Medicinal
Anelize Bauermeister, Luciana Costa Furtado, Elthon G. Ferreira, Paula Christine Jimenez, Welington Luiz Araujo, Luiz Ricardo Olchnheski, Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo, Leticia Veras Costa-Lotufo, Norberto Peporine Lopes
