Araçá: biodiversity, impacts and threats. Biota Neotrop.,10(1): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v10n1/en/abstract?inventory+bn01210012010.Abstract:Araçá Bay (São Sebastião, State of São Paulo), within one of Brazil's most beautiful coastlines, has small relict mangrove stands and a very diverse marine ecosystem. As such, the bay is a natural laboratory as well as important for local small scale fishing. In this study we summarize the large literature base to comprehensibly list the flora and fauna as a preliminary biodiversity inventory of Araçá Bay. We place this in the historical context of human impact on the environment of the bay and we emphasize new, introduced and threatened species as bioindicators and natural resources. With this information, we provide a basis to inform conservation decisions as well as data for conservation management plans and call attention to the urgent need to protect this fragile environment and biota. We also emphasize that this small and uniquely biologically rich bay should be preserved, revitalized and integrated into the growing urban environment. Resumo: Inserida em uma das mais belas e turísticas regiões litorâneas do país -o Litoral Norte do Estado deSão Paulo -, a Baía do Araçá (São Sebastião, SP), além de conter remanescentes de manguezal e de abrigar alta diversidade biológica, é também um verdadeiro laboratório a céu aberto e um importante reduto de catadores de moluscos e pescadores artesanais. Com o objetivo de compilar preliminarmente a biodiversidade da baía, este estudo reúne a extensa bibliografia dedicada à região e apresenta a lista das espécies da fauna e da flora formalmente reportadas para o local. O texto sumaria ainda o histórico das alterações antrópicas sofridas nas últimas décadas e destaca certos representantes da fauna (espécies novas, ameaçadas de extinção, bioindicadoras e como recursos naturais), como exemplos da peculiaridade e riqueza biológica dessa pequena baía. Pretende-se, assim, fornecer subsídios para tomadas de decisão e planos de manejo, e despertar a atenção para a preservação desse frágil patrimônio ambiental, uma área que pode ser revitalizada e integrada ao ambiente urbanizado.

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-This study focuses on the ophiuroids collected during the Programme of Evaluation of the Living Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone for the Brazilian coast (REVIZEE), South Score/Benthos, in the states of Rio de Janeiro (Ilha Grande Bay), São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul (Tramandaí) (24° 07,113' S and 29° 48,500' S; and 43° 46,759' W and 49° 06,800' W). Samples were collected on the continental shelf and slope (60-810 m) using the following equipment: van Veen, box corer and a rectangular dredge. Individuals were identified, measured and photographed under a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope. Growth series of the species that contributed with more than 10 individuals were analysed. A total of 5044 individuals were collected and were represented by 29 species, which belonged to seven families. The most abundant species were Ophiura ljungmani and Ophiomisidium pulchellum, which represented 79.7% of the total number of individuals. The analyses and description of species as well as the organization of the growth series allowed the verification that some characteristics of morphological structures used for the identification of the group remain unaltered throughout the life of the organism, whilst others undergo alterations. We recorded two new occurrences for the Brazilian coast: Ophiostriatus striatus and Amphilimna mirabilis. The ophiuroid fauna is composed of species with wide distribution along the Brazilian coast, such as Ophiothrix angulata and Amphipholis squamata, species with occurrence restricted to certain areas, such as Ophioleptoplax brasiliana and Nudamphiura carvalhoi. Most species were collected within the bathymetry limits previously described for them.Keywords -taxonomy; Ophiuroidea; geographical distribution; bathymetric distribution; Brazil.Resumo -Este estudo foca os ofiuróides coletados durante o Programa de Avaliação do Potencial Sustentável dos Recursos Vivos da Zona Econômica Exclusiva (REVIZEE), Score Sul/Bentos, nos estados de Rio de Janeiro (Baía de Ilha Grande), São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul (Tramandaí) (24° 07.113' S e 29° 48.500' S; e 43° 46.759' W e 49° 06.800' W). As amostras foram coletadas na plataforma e talude continental (60-810 m de profundidade) usando os seguintes equipamentos: van Veen, "box corer" e uma draga retangular. Os indivíduos foram identificados, medidos e fotografados em um estereomicroscópio e um microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Séries de crescimento das espécies com mais de 10 exemplares foram analisadas. Do total de 5044 indivíduos, foram identificadas e descritas 29 espécies pertencentes a sete famílias, sendo que as mais abundantes foram Ophiura ljungmani e Ophiomisidium pulchellum, representando 79,7 % do total amostrado. A análise e descrição das espécies assim como a organização das séries de crescimento, permitiram constatar que algumas estruturas morfológicas utilizadas para a identificação do grupo permanecem inalteradas durante toda vida do organismo, enquanto outras ...

The invertebrate benthos, especially the micro-and mesofaunal components, of the Brazilian seas is still poorly known. Relatively few species have been recorded, reflecting the lack of research in this field. The intertidal zone, to depths of about 20 m, has been studied the most, and there the numbers of endemic species are relatively high. The diversity of demersal and pelagic fishes is similar among the major marine regions, and endemism is typically low (<5%) and restricted to reef species. Surveys in southeastern Brazil (depths of up to 2000 m) have recorded more than 1300 species of benthic animals, of which the Porifera, and Brachiopoda were the most abundant or frequent. Excepting the molluscs, decapods (brachiurans), cirripeds, and echinoderms, the faunas of salt marshes, coral reefs, and islands remain poorly known. Marine and estuarine demersal teleosts include 617 species in 26 orders and 118 families. Just over half the species (337) are Perciformes. Overexploitation, for food and by the aquarium fish trade, habitat degradation and destruction, alien species introductions, pernicious tourism, and pollution are the principal threats to Brazil's marine biodiversity. The Ministry of the Environment lists 34 threatened and 10 overexploited or at risk of being overexploited benthic species. Fishes officially listed as threatened include 15 species of sharks and rays and 7 teleosts. Another six elasmobranchs and 27 teleosts are currently or potentially being overexploited. Conservation of marine biodiversity in Brazil is still broadly inadequate despite existing legislation and several protected areas. The number and size of marine protected areas are insufficient, and some still lack management plans or have yet to receive the appropriate measures and infrastructure to make them effective. Fisheries administration and management is still precarious and in many areas lacks effective participation of local communities. Major conservation initiatives include the identification of keys areas for biodiversity conservation, surveys, intensified monitoring of fisheries, environmental education, and the creation and improved management of protected areas. Conservación de la Biodiversidad Marina y Costera en BrasilResumen: Los invertebrados bentónicos, especialmente los componentes micro y mesofaúnicos, de los mares brasileños son poco conocidos. Se han registrado pocas especies relativamente, lo que refleja la carencia de investigación en este campo. La zona intermareas hasta profundidades de casi 20 m es la más estudiada, y el número de especies endémicas es relativamente alto. La diversidad de peces demersales y pelágicos es similar en las regiones marinas principales, y el endemismo es típicamente bajo (<5%) y está restringido a especies arrecifales. En muestreos en el sureste de Brasil (profundidades hasta 2000 m) se han registrado más de 1300 especies de animales bentónicos, de las cuales fueron más abundantes y frecuentes Porifera, Cnidaria, Sipuncula, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Scaphopoda, Polychaeta, Crustac...