INVESTIGADORES
GIBERTO Diego Agustin
artículos
Título:
Benthic survey of natural and artificial reefs off Mar del Plata, Argentina, South-Western Atlantic
Autor/es:
GENZANO, G.N.; GIBERTO, D.A.; BREMEC, C.S.
Revista:
LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC RESEARCH
Editorial:
UNIV CATOLICA DE VALPARAISO
Referencias:
Año: 2011 vol. 39 p. 553 - 566
ISSN:
0718-560X
Resumen:
The goals of this study were to describe the macrofaunal assemblages of subtidal rocky outcrops off Mar del Plata, to compare the macrobenthic assemblages settled on shipwrecks with nearby outcrops and to characterize the fish fauna associated with natural (NR) and artificial (AR) reefs. Topographical characterization, macro-invertebrates and fishes census were performed during November and December 2005 by mean of SCUBA diving. A non-parametric multivariate analysis was applied to environmental and biological data. Sampling sites mainly discriminated according to depth and position in the substrate. The red calcareous algae Corallina officinalis dominated the shallowest NR while a conspicuous mytilid assemblage (Mytilus platensis) was present in NRs deeper than 3m; sea anemones Anthothoe chilensis are more abundant between 6-10m and the soft-coral Tripalea clavaria at nearly 20m depth. No differences were found between horizontal ARs and the adjacent NRs. Main differences were found between vertical vs. horizontal communities, both in NRs and ARs. Fifteen fish species were recorded in the analyzed area. Species having strong site fidelity, i.e. Acanthistius brasilianus and Pseudopercis semifasciata, were clearly more abundant and/or frequent in ARs (shipwrecks) compared to the surrounding NRs. This pioneer study in the surveyed area shows that outcrops allow the settlement of diverse and rich assemblages. ARs permit not only the settlement of benthic invertebrates but also provide refuge for fishes. As recreational fishery and diving are developing activities in Mar del Plata, where tourism is one of the main economical resources, the protection of such areas should be considered in conservation plans.