Kelps' Long-Distance Dispersal: Role of Ecological/Oceanographic Processes and Implications to Marine Forest Conservation
Batista, Manuela Bernardes
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Anderson, Antonio Batista
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Sanches, Paola Franzan
Universidade de Sao Paulo
Polito, Paulo Simionatto
Universidade de Sao Paulo
Lima Silveira, Thiago Cesar
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Velez-Rubio, Gabriela M.
Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
Scarabino, Fabrizio
Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
Camacho, Olga
24 Univ Fed Santa Catarina
Schmitz, Caroline
24 Univ Fed Santa Catarina
Martinez, Ana
Direcc Nacl Recursos Acuat DINARA
Ortega, Leonardo
Direcc Nacl Recursos Acuat DINARA
Fabiano, Graciela
Direcc Nacl Recursos Acuat DINARA
Rothman, Mark D.
Dept Agr Forestry & Fisheries
Liu, Gang
National Oceanic Atmospheric Admin (NOAA) - USA
Barreto, Luis M.
Universidade do Algarve
Assis, Jorge
Universidade do Algarve
Serrao, Ester A.
Universidade do Algarve
Santos, Rui
Universidade do Algarve
Horta, Paulo Antunes
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Journal
Diversity
ISSN
1424-2818
Open Access
gold
Volume
10
Long-distance dispersal is one of the main drivers structuring the distribution of marine biodiversity. This study reports the first occurrence of Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica rafts on the southwestern warm temperate coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Our results indicate that an extreme meteo-oceanographic event, characterized by a northward, displacement of cold sub-Antarctic oceanic waters driven by an extratropical cyclone, could account for these unusual occurrences. A niche model based on known current distribution and maximum entropy principle (MAXENT), revealed the availability of suitable habitats at lower latitudes, outside their actual distribution edges. The distributional boundaries, mainly driven by temperature and irradiance, suggest the existence of environmental suitability in warm temperate areas, as well as in the Northern Hemisphere off Atlantic and Asian coasts. These theoretical edges and respective environmental drivers agree with the physiological affinities of both species, supporting the hypothesis that these variables act as limiting factors for their occurrences in tropical or warmer areas. Emerging regions can function as refuges and stepping-stones, providing substrate with adequate habitat conditions for recruitment of propagules, allowing eventual colonization. Long dispersal events reinforce the need for an extensive discussion on selective management of natural dispersion, biological invasions, refuge mapping and conservation initiatives in a transnational perspective.