Spatial distribution of the most abundant sea urchin populations on the southeast coast of Sao Paulo (Brazil)

The spatial variability of Echinometra lucunter, Lytechinus variegatus and Arbacia lixula was studied in relation to four spatial scales (105, 104, 103 and 102 m) and two depths (0–3 and 3–8 m), along 100 km of the São  Paulo coastline (August to October 1996). Echinometra lucunter was the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sánchez-Jérez, P, Cesar, A, Cortez, FS, Pereira, CDS, Silva, SLR
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2001
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA
Repositorio:Ciencias Marinas
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:cienciasmarinas.com.mx:article/371
Acceso en línea:https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/371
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:sea urchins
spatial distribution
Brazil
Atlantic Ocean
erizos
distribución espacial
Brasil
Océano Atlántico
Descripción
Sumario:The spatial variability of Echinometra lucunter, Lytechinus variegatus and Arbacia lixula was studied in relation to four spatial scales (105, 104, 103 and 102 m) and two depths (0–3 and 3–8 m), along 100 km of the São  Paulo coastline (August to October 1996). Echinometra lucunter was the most abundant species, with preference for shallow substrates subject to wave action. An abundance gradient was identified, increasing from southwest to northeast. Arbacia lixula showed the same pattern of spatial variation, but was more abundant in the deeper areas. Both species showed significant differences on a spatial scale of hundreds of meters, and E. lucunter also on a scale of kilometers. Lytechinus variegates presented a patchy distribution, being more abundant at certain sites. Variations in the water quality and natural heterogeneity of the habitat may explain the spatial distribution of these populations.