Expansion of the invasive corals Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis into the Tamoios Ecological Station Marine Protected Area, Brazil

• DOI: 10.3391/ai.2011.6.s1.024
• Publication Date: 2011-12-10T03:25:41Z
• Authors: Amanda Silva; Regis Lima; Adriana Gomes; Beatriz Fleury; Joel Creed
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences

The scleractinian corals Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 and tagusensis Wells, 1882 are the first alien to be introduced into South Atlantic threaten native marine organisms due their noxious attributes. This study aimed determine spatial distribution relative abundance of these species throughout Tamoios Ecological Station Marine Protected Area (MPA). Monitoring was carried out at 33 sites by two snorkel divers swimming parallel shore observing substrate, diagnosing visually estimating both on a scale: dominant, abundant, frequent, occasional, rare or absent. presents new records which demonstrate that MPA is being invaded T. leading invasion from west east. Most near original probable point introduction region.