. 2009. Vertical zonation of the hard substrata macrofauna of the Massangana River estuary, Suape Bay (Pernambuco, Brazil). Biota Neotrop. 9(1): http://www.biotaneotropica. org.br/v9n1/en/abstract?article+bn01609012009. Abstract:The estuarine area of the Massangana River (Pernambuco, Brazil) undergoes several kinds of interventions as a result of the activities of the Suape Industrial and Harbor Complex, which could affect local biotic communities. Thus, this study aimed to verify the composition of the benthic macrofauna of hard substrates regarding their vertical distribution in order to support the future biomonitoring of possible changes in this complex. The invertebrates found in an area of 519 m 2 were collected and their distribution on the biogenic and abiogenic substrates was described. A total of 79 species were found, primarily in the mangroves and distributed in three intertidal zones: a Chthamaletum, which comprised the intertidal and upper shore, the balanid zone, with barnacles and oysters in the mid intertidal, and the Bostrychietum, in the lowest region. In general, this matched the Brazilian and international vertical distribution patterns for mangrove invertebrates. The presence of rocky substrate and the area's high salinity made possible the occurrence of 28 species-including the coral Siderastrea stellata -in an estuarine area. The enlarged distribution of the bivalve Isognomon alatus, the barnacle Amphibalanus reticulatus, and the bryozoans Biflustra savartii, Bowerbankia gracilis, and Conopeum reticulum on the Brazilian coast can be explained by the proximity to the Port of Suape, which allows for passive transportation on ships. The scattered distribution of the fouling organisms among the substrates and the absence of characteristic animals of this ecosystem (such as the mussels) suggest that the environment is already undergoing some stress due to the diverse human interventions occurring in this area. Keywords: spatial distribution, macrobenthos, mangrove, biodiversity, Northeast Brazil. Resumen: El área estuarina del río Massangana (Pernambuco, Brasil) está sujeta a diversas intervenciones antropomórficas resultantes de las actividades del Complejo Industrial y Portuario de Suape, que pueden afectar las comunidades bióticas. Con esa perspectiva, este estudio tuvo como finalidad verificar la composición de la macrofauna bentónica de los sustratos sólidos, en su gradiente de distribución vertical, que sirva de referencia para futuros monitoreos biológicos relacionados a los cambios que pueden ocurrir en el complejo portuario. Se colectaron los invertebrados presentes en un área de 519 m 2 y su distribución en los sustratos biogénicos y abiogénicos es mostrada en el siguiente trabajo. Fueron encontradas 79 especies presentes principalmente en los mangles y distribuidas en tres zonas del intermareal: Chthamaletum, delimitando el supralitoral, "zona balanoide", conteniendo cirripedios y ostras, en la región intermareal media, y el Bostrychietum, en la región inferior. Esta distribución co...

ABSTRACT

RESUMOEste estudo objetivou investigar a distribuição espacial e temporal de Stygarctus bradypus Schulz, 1951 (Tardigrada, Heterotardigrada) em uma praia arenosa na margem sul da ilha de Itamaracá, 40 km a norte do Recife (PE, Brasil). As amostras foram coletadas em dois períodos do ano caracterizados por estiagem e chuva, através de duas transversais na região entre-marés, durante a baixa-mar. Foram identificados 337 indivíduos pertencentes à espécie Stygarctus bradypus. Houve diferenças significativas nas populações de S. bradypus dos dois transectos e entre os andares da praia, mas não entre os estratos sedimentares nem entre os períodos do ano. Concluiu-se que a espécie não tem a sua distribuição influenciada pelo tamanho dos grãos dos sedimentos nem pela presença de águas intersticiais, preferencialmente colonizando o médio-litoral superior da praia estudada, concentrando-se entre 10 cm a 20 cm de profundidade no sedimento ao longo do ano.PALAVRAS CHAVE: meiofauna, praia arenosa, Itamaracá, Stygarctus bradypus, Tardigrada. ABSTRACT Distribution of Stygarctus bradypus Schulz, 1951 (Tardigrada, Heterotardigrada) at the southern edge of ItamaracáIsland (PE, Brazil). This work aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of Stygarctus bradypus Schulz, 1951 (Tardigrada, Heterotardigrada) in a sandy beach in the southern edge of Itamaracá Island, 40 km north far from Recife (PE, Brazil). Samples were taken in two different periods of the year characterized by dryness and rain, along two coastal transects through the intertidal zone, during low tides. One identified 337 specimens of Stygarctus bradypus. There was a significant difference between the populations of S. bradypus from the two transects and between the steps of the beach, but not between the sedimentary layers and between the two periods of the year. It was concluded that this species does not have its distribution influenced by the sediments granulometry nor for the presence of interstitial water, preferentially colonizing the upper mid-littoral of the studied beach, concentrating its population between 10 cm and 20 cm depth in the sediments throughout the whole year.