Document of bibliographic reference 405488

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Book chapters

BibLvlCode

AMS

Title

Biology of Brazilian benthic reef builders and dwellers

Abstract

Brazilian reef environments are composed of a unique fauna. This chapter addresses the general biological and ecological aspects of 12 benthic reef-dwelling taxa found in Brazil: (i) scleractinian corals, which are primary reef-builders that produce the tridimensional framework; (ii) calcified hydrozoans belonging to the Millepora genus; (iii) other cnidarians such as octocorals, zoanthids and anemones; (iv) crustose coralline algae, which are also major reef-builders that produce extensive rhodolith beds; (v) bryozoans and (vi) vermetid gastropods, which have contributed significantly to reef-building in the Abrolhos Bank and Rocas Atoll, respectively; (vii) echinoderms, with emphasis on sea urchins, that control algal overgrowth through herbivory but may also contribute to bioerosion; (viii) sponges, which are abundant in Brazilian reefs and both add structural complexity and recycle organic matter, but also contribute to reef erosion; (ix) polychaetes and (x) mollusks, both of which may occasionally contribute to reef accretion and also engage in burrowing and erosion; (xi) crustaceans, which interact with numerous taxa and form multiple trophic links; and (xii) ascidians, a diverse cryptic dweller of the reef matrix. The basic morphology is presented for each taxon, as well as their diversity, reproductive biology and main functional roles.

Bibliographic citation

Mies, M.; Banha, T.N.S.; Castro, C.B.; Cordeiro, R.T.S.; Lotufo, T.M.C.; Bianchini, A. (2024). Biology of Brazilian benthic reef builders and dwellers, in: Kikuchi, R.K.P. et al. Brazilian coral reefs: A multidisciplinary approach. Brazilian Marine Biodiversity, : pp. 81-112. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-59152-5_4

Topic

Marine