Distribuição dos moluscos bentônicos e sua relação com o sedimento na plataforma continental da região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The biodiversity of marine molluscs on the coast of Brazil is underestimated and the knowledge about these organisms is mainly due to scientific expeditions on the Brazilian Continental Shelf. This study aims to analyze the composition and distribution of benthic malacofauna in the area of the continental shelf of the equatorial northeast Brazil, to assess the qualitative and quantitative ecological descriptors, and to correlate the ecological descriptors with the abiotic parameters (salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity and pH) and sedimentary (particle size). In July and October 2010, samples were collected from 56 points distributed on the coasts of Ceará and Piauí states and part of coast of Maranhão state under the influence of the Parnaíba River Delta. The sediment composition was constituted mainly of medium sand, coarse sand, and gravel. The presence of silt and clay was low. The data of water physical and chemical parameters had no variation either correlation with the molluscs. The particle size did not show significant differences in the correlation analysis with benthic molluscs. A total of 623 specimens were identified, 115 individuals belonging to species which have been identified in 4 classes and 59 families. The bivalves Crenella divaricata, Tellina sybaritica, Pteria hirundo and Musculus lateralis were the most abundant species. The heterogeneity of habitats has great influence on the biotic diversity. Depth was the environmental factor most influencer of the distribution of organisms in the range of 15 to 33m showed a higher abundance and richness. Species were classified as rare corresponding to the geometric model proposed by Motomura. Rare species prevailed. The most plausible explanation to understand the presence of a small number of species in the community are the marine currents that reach the ocean floor suspending the sediment. The few available food that featuring the oligotrophic waters of northeast Brazil can affect the growth and development of molluscs of this region. The local presence of algae favored some species of molluscs, especially Pteria hirundo. Thus, there was a relationship between the environmental conditions on all aspects evaluated and the distribution of malacofauna of the Continental Shelf Region of Semi-Arid Coast of Northeast Brazil.