Volume 7, ID es20240001 (01-08), 2024

Doi: https://doi.org/10.32435/envsmoke-2024-0001

Environmental Smoke, e-ISSN: 2595-5527

 

A leading multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal

 

Full Article:

 

UPDATED DISTRIBUTION OF OCTOCORAL Carijoa riisei (DUCHASSAING & MICHELOTTI, 1860) IN BRAZIL INCLUDING ITS FIRST RECORD IN THE STATE OF SERGIPE, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL


Caio Correia Régis-Silva¹ (https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2776-1765); Leonardo Cruz da Rosa¹ (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4263-332X)

 

1Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). Centro de Ciências Agrárias Aplicadas (CCAA). Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAq). Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica (LEB). Avenida Marcelo Déda Chagas, s/n, Bairro Rosa Elze, CEP 49107-230, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brasil.

 

*Corresponding author: regis_silva_br@outlook.com

 

Submitted on: 16 Jan. 2024

Accepted on: 21 Feb. 2024

Published on: 26 Mar. 2024

 

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

Abstract

 

This study recorded, for the first time, the presence of the azooxanthellate colonial octocoral Carijoa riisei (Carijoidae) in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. In September 2021, colonies of C. riisei were observed attached to a floating pier in the estuary of the Vaza-Barris River, in the central region of the Sergipe coastline. These colonies were photographed in situ and collected for confirmation of their morphological identification in the laboratory. Our results represent the first recorded occurrence of Carijoa riisei in the state of Sergipe and contribute to filling a gap in the species distribution along the Brazilian coast. Future studies are necessary to assess the potential impacts of C. riisei on local ecosystems and understand the role of artificial substrates in the dispersal of invasive species.

 

Keywords: Artificial substrate. Biofouling. Carijoidae. Estuary. Invasive species.

 

1 Introduction

 

Bioinvasion can be defined as the expansion of the distribution of a particular species, by human actions, intentionally or accidentally (IUCN, 2000; Defelice; Eldredge; Carlton, 2001). Currently, the occurrence of this phenomenon has increased significantly, mainly on a global scale, especially due to tourism and the transportation of commodities (Concepción et al., 2010; Rosa, 2021). It is known that the introduction of non-native species is one of the main causes of the ecosystem’s biodiversity loss, leading to environmental degradation and homogenization of the local biota (MMA, 2018; Pádua et al., 2021), in addition to economic and socio-cultural impacts (Concepción et al., 2010). The early detection of such species facilitates their containment or eradication, making it possible to control them or prevent them from establishing in new environments (Rosa, 2021), and consequently impacting them.

 

The azooxanthellate colonial octocoral Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860), also known as snowflake coral, branched pipe coral, and orange soft coral, belongs to the Carijoidae family, and is characterized by its soft body, coloration ranging from orange to brown, with white polyps, and dense colonies formed by stolons (Bayer, 1961; Rees, 1972; Sánchez, 1994; Kahng, 2006; Venkataraman et al., 2013), which vary from 10 to 50 cm in height (Rees, 1972; Sánchez, 1994; Venkataraman et al., 2013; Galván-Villa; Ríos-Jara, 2018), and are capable of persisting for years in the environment (Kahng, 2006). 

 

Carijoa riisei was long considered to be native to the western Atlantic and Caribbean. However, in 2010, molecular and genetic analysis using data from various locations around the world suggested that the octocoral may be native to the Indo-Pacific region (Concepcion et al., 2010), and recently spread to other regions. The species has several characteristics that promote its dispersal and success as an invasive species. Among them are the high growth rate; rapid sexual maturation (<2 years) with massive reproduction (Kahng, 2006; Kahng et al., 2008); ability to reproduce asexually by fragmentation or stolonal growth (Kahng, 2006); being a generalist filter feeder (Kahng, 2006; Lira et al., 2009; Gomes et al., 2011; Sánchez; Ballesteros, 2014); and, although it has predators, such as the fish Holacanthus passer Valenciennes, 1846 and the nudibranchs Phyllodesmium poindimiei (Risbec, 1928) and Tritoniopsis sp. Eliot, 1905, none have shown efficacy as biological control of the species (Kahng, 2006; Wagner; Kahng; Toonen, 2009; Sánchez; Ballesteros, 2014). Furthermore, the species competes heavily with other soft corals, for food and space, such as the black corals of Hawaii, including outgrowing them and compromising their immune system (Kahng; Grigg, 2005; Sánchez; Ballesteros, 2014).

Additionally, competition for space with bivalves, gastropods, and barnacles are also observed, including the colonization of their shells (Kahng, 2006).

 

Currently, Carijoa riisei has a circumtropical distribution, occurring in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans (Galván-Villa; Ríos-Jara, 2018; Alidoost Salimi et al., 2021). In Brazil, C. riisei has been recorded from Pará to Santa Catarina, except for Sergipe and Piauí (Castro; Medeiros; Loiola, 2010; Gondim; Christoffersen; Pereira-Dias, 2020). This study presents the first record of the invasive species Carijoa riisei in the state of Sergipe, Brazil, and the updated distribution of the species along the Brazilian coast is provided.

 

2 Material and Methods

 

Study area

 

The Vaza-Barris River estuary, situated within the “Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) da Foz do Rio Vaza-Barris”, established on March 30, 1990, is located between the municipalities of São Cristóvão and Aracaju on its left bank, and Itaporanga d'Ajuda on the right bank (SERGIPE, 1990; Sousa, 2011). The estuary, spanning 30 km², resides within a region known as pioneer formations, hosting diverse ecosystems such as mangroves, dunes, restingas (coastal tropical/subtropical forests adapted to sandy substrate and salty environments), and coastal marshes occupying fluviomarine depressions (Sousa, 2011). It has a continuous opening, an average depth of 3 to 8 m, and a semi-diurnal tidal regime, with a maximum amplitude of 2.3 m (Santos; Severi, 2019). The influence of salt water occurs up to about 20 km upstream of the river (Santos; Severi, 2019). The zone that encompasses the estuary is characterized by modest urban development and lacks port facilities. However, the area is visited for recreational boating activities (Rosa, 2021).

 

In September 2021, during a field trip to the Vaza-Barris River estuary, colonies of C. riisei were observed adhered to a pier (approximately 90 m²) located in the region known as Orla Pôr do Sol (11º06'03"S 37º09'02"W, Figure 1). These colonies were photographed in situ using digital camera of Samsung A30 smartphone (Figure 2).
 

Figure 1. Map indicating the sampling site (red dot and red arrow) in the Vaza-Barris River estuary where the colonies of Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) were collected.

Access on: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJfoicbDiAang4hwKDSITy3IYrOcu_O6/preview.

Figure 2. Colonies of Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) in situ, attached to the pier in the Vaza-Barris estuarine region.
Access on: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ERhZFcHoZGzJZ4zOW-Y4E8bMKtGSgEOF/preview.

A total of three multi-aggregated colonies of C. riisei were collected by scraping along the pier floats. The colonies were first demarcated with a PVC circular tube (15 cm diameter and 30 cm long). The tube was wrapped in a plastic bag to prevent the escape of associated organisms and scraping from the substrate with a spatula positioned at the base of the octocoral structure. The collected material was transferred to properly labeled plastic bags and fixed with 10% formaldehyde.

 

The collection of organisms was authorized by the Sistema de Autorização e Informação em Biodiversidade (SISBIO Number 32380/1), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, from the Federative Republic of Brazil.

 

Laboratory Procedures

 

In the laboratory, the samples were transferred to a sieve with a mesh opening of 300 µm and washed with running water to facilitate the separation of the octocoral colonies from the rest of the associated fauna. The morphological identification of the octocorals, considering external structures, was based on the descriptions proposed by Bayer (1961), Rees (1972), Sánchez (1994), DeFelice, Eldredge, Carlton (2001), Castro; Medeiros; Loiola (2010), Venkataraman et al. (2013) and Galván-Villa and Ríos-Jara (2018). After identification, the collected material was photographed and preserved in 70% alcohol. The collected material, including the associated fauna, was deposited in the biological collection of the Benthic Ecology Laboratory (DEPAq/UFS).

 

3 Results and Discussion

 

Densely branched colonies were present throughout the whole pier substrate with > 90% coverage (visual estimate). These colonies arise from basal stolons and comprise numerous axial polyps, up to 40 cm long and 0.15 cm in diameter, reaching up to the third order (Figure 3).

 

Figure 3. The longest colony of Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) collected in the Vaza-Barris estuarine region in comparison to a pen (15 cm long).

Access on:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1is9RjIxBCQZ5KGif7nvDiFxddIhlDGrg/preview.

The tall axial polyps exhibit various short erect lateral polyps. The polyps are white having eight pinnate tentacles, up to 0.5 cm in length when the tentacles are retracted. These morphological characteristics of the colonies and polyps correspond to the descriptions proposed for Carijoa riisei.

 

Recently, specimens of Carijoa sp. were cited as basibionts of hydroids in Sergipe continental shelf (Mendonça; Guimarães; Haddad, 2022) however, the authors did not identify their specimens as Carijoa riisei. Thus, our results correspond the first record of the species to Sergipe, thereby filling a gap in the species distribution along the Brazilian coastline (Figure 4).

 

Figure 4. Updated map of Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) distribution along the Brazilian coast with previous species records (Castro; Medeiros; Loiola, 2010; Gondim; Christoffersen; Pereira-Dias, 2020) and highlighting the first record for Sergipe.
Access on: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1av5rOQYsMK-wRWokuJ7x1pn9QF26BH45/preview.

 

Carijoa riisei has a high degree of habitat plasticity, occurring in organic matter rich zones, attached to natural substrates such as flat sand bottoms (Sánchez, 1994), between rocks (Rees, 1972; Sánchez, 1994; DeFelice; Eldredge; Carlton, 2001), coral reefs (living or dead) and mangroves (Rees, 1972; Sánchez, 1994; Sánchez; Ballesteros, 2014), and artificial substrates such as the hulls of ships (Venkataraman et al. 2013), shipwrecks (DeFelice; Eldredge; Carlton, 2001; Sánchez, 1994; Wagner; Kahng; Toonen, 2009; Gondim; Christoffersen; Pereira-Dias, 2020), oil and gas platforms (Friedlander et al., 2014), port structures (DeFelice; Eldredge; Carlton, 2001; Kahng, 2006; Galván-Villa; Ríos-Jara, 2018), jetties, marinas, and floating docks (Venkataraman et al., 2013).

 

Here, the species was found attached to the floats of a pier within the estuarine region of the Vaza-Barris River. Two other biofouling invasive species, the oyster Isognomon bicolor (C. B. Adams, 1845) and the barnacle Striatobalanus amaryllis (Darwin, 1854), have also been recorded attached to piers in the same estuarine region of the Vaza-Barris River (Rosa, 2021).

 

Despite the absence of a port, the region has several marinas and is widely used for recreational nautical activities (Rosa, 2021). Although there is no clear evidence of movements of vessels from or to other regions, it is possible that the introduction of C. riisei into the Vaza-Barris River occurred by incrustation on recreational vessels, as stated in other works involving C. riisei (DeFelice; Eldredge; Carlton, 2001; Coles; Eldredge, 2002; Eldredge; Carlton, 2002; Kahng, 2006; Galván-Villa; Ríos-Jara, 2018) and other biofouling invasive organisms (Ulman et al., 2019; Rosa, 2021; Sempere-Valverde et al., 2023).

 

The secondary dispersal of C. riisei may have been enabled by the fixed artificial substrates in the area, such as marinas, piers and moorings, pointed out in other studies as possible stepping stones that favor the establishment of exotic species (Ordóñez et al., 2013; Coolen et al., 2018; Ulman et al., 2019; Sempere-Valverde et al., 2023), that are better competitors than the indigenous species on artificial substrates (Tyrrell; Byers, 2007, Ordóñez et al., 2013, Coolen et al., 2018), highlighting the need for characterization and monitoring of the fauna on these substrates.

 

It is worth noting that Carijoa riisei acts as an ecosystem engineer serving as biogenic substrate to an variety of organisms such as algae, bryozoans, decapods, flatworms, hydroids, ophiuroids, peracarids, polychaetes, sponges, tunicates among others (Kahng, 2006; Galván-Villa; Ríos-Jara, 2018; Pádua et al., 2021; Galván-Villa, 2023). Indeed, some of the sampled colonies in this study were partly covered by tunicates, sponges, among others (Figure 5). Despite the obvious negative effects associated with invasive species, the role of C. riisei as biogenic substrate has increased both richness and abundance of adjacent communities as observed by Pádua et al. (2021) in artificial Brazilian shipwrecks.

 

Figure 5. Photographs of some colonies of Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) covered by tunicates and sponges collected in the Vaza-Barris estuarine region. Scale in centimeters.

Access on: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X7cRJlQ-joebIVPIs6lROjPb4h6xhquE/preview.

 

However, recent studies carried out at Mexican Central Pacific showed that C. riisei favors the dominance of some species by increasing their abundances but reduces biological diversity of several taxa (Galván-Villa et al., 2023). These contrasting results demonstrate that the effects of C. riisei on adjacent community could be variable and locally-dependent.

 

Therefore, future studies to better understand the association of C. riisei with other taxa and its impact on the biodiversity of ecosystems is needed. Additionally, research is required to explore its interactions with invasive species, particularly regarding the facilitation of their establishment. These approaches can contribute to the knowledge of the role played by C. riisei in ecosystems and assist in the development of effective conservation and management strategies for these ecosystems.

 

4 Conclusions

 

In this study, we described the occurrence of Carijoa riisei for the first time on the coast of Sergipe. This record fills a gap in the species distribution along the Brazilian coast. This study emphasizes the need for further research characterizing the fauna of the Vaza-Barris River estuary, the role of artificial substrates in the dispersion of invasive species, and the impacts of C. riisei on the ecosystem’s ecology.

 

CREDIT AUTHORSHIP CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT

 

All the authors contributed with the conceptualization, study design, species identification and manuscript writing.

 

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

The authors disclose that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the study reported in this manuscript.

 

FUNDING SOURCE

 

The authors declare that no funding is applicable for this research.

 

REFERENCES

 

ALIDOOST SALIMI, P.; CREED, J. C.; ESCH, M. M.; FENNER, D.; JAAFAR, Z.; LEVESQUE, J. C.; MONTGOMERY, A. D.; ALIDOOST SALIMI, M.; PATTERSON EDWARD, J. K.; RAJ, K. D.; SWEET, M. A review of the diversity and impact of invasive non-native species in tropical marine ecosystems. Marine Biodiversity Records, v. 14, n. 1, 2021. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-021-00206-8 

BAYER, F. M. Octocorallia. In: MOORE, R. C. (Org.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology Part F: Coelenterata. Lawrence: Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press, 1956. p. 166-230. Available from: https://doi.org/10.17161/dt.v0i0.5537

BAYER, F. M. The shallow-water Octocorallia of the West Indian region: A manual for marine biologists. Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff, 1961. Available from: https://books.google.com.br/books/about/The_Shallow_water_Octocorallia_of_the_We.html?id=A-sLAQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

CASTRO, C. B.; MEDEIROS, M. S.; LOIOLA; L. L. Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History, v. 44, n. 13-14, p. 763-827, 2010. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160

COLES, S. L.; ELDREDGE, L. G. Nonindigenous Species Introductions on Coral Reefs: A Need for Information. Pacific Science, v. 56, n. 2, p. 191–209, 2002. Available from: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=dd218da8ad3924458761bece92f932d04ab31100. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

CONCEPCION, G. T.; KAHNG, S. E.; CREPEAU, M. W.; FRANKLIN, E. C.; COLES, S. L.; TOONEN, R. J. Resolving natural ranges and marine invasions in a globally distributed octocoral (genus Carijoa). Marine Ecology Progress Series, v. 401, p. 113–127, 2010. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08364

COOLEN, J. W. P.; BOON, A. R.; CROOIJMANS, R.; VAN PELT, H.; KLEISSEN, F.; GERLA, D.; BEERMANN, J.; BIRCHENOUGH, S. N. R.; BECKING, L. E.; LUTTIKHUIZEN, P. C. Marine stepping-stones: Connectivity of Mytilus edulis populations between offshore energy installations. Molecular Ecology, v. 29, n. 4, p. 686–703, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15364

DEFELICE, R. C.; ELDREDGE, L. G.; CARLTON, J. T. A Guidebook of Introduced Marine Species in Hawai’i: Nonindigenous Marine Invertebrates. Hawai’i: B.P. Bishop Museum, 2001. Available from: http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/HBS/invertguide/download.htm. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

FRIEDLANDER, A. M.; BALLESTEROS, E.; FAY, M.; SALA, E. Marine Communities on Oil Platforms in Gabon, West Africa: High Biodiversity Oases in a Low Biodiversity Environment. PLoS ONE, v. 9, n. 8, e103709, 2014. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103709

GALVÁN-VILLA, C. M.; RÍOS-JARA, E. First detection of the alien snowflake coral Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1860) (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea) in the port of Manzanillo in the Mexican Pacific. BioInvasions Records, v. 7, n. 1, p. 1–6, 2018. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2018.7.1.01

GALVÁN-VILLA, C. M.; TOVAR-HERNÁNDEZ, M. A.; RODRÍGUEZ-ZARAGOZA, F. A.; SÁNCHEZ-RODRÍGUEZ, J.; ESQUEDA-GONZÁLEZ, M. C.; RÍOS-JARA, E. Effect of the alien octocoral Carijoa riisei on benthic fauna assemblages on natural and artificial substrates. Marine Ecology, v. 44, n. 4, 2023. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12756

GOMES, P. B.; LIRA, A. K. F.; NAUD, J.-P.; SANTOS, A. M.; PÉREZ, C. D. Prey selectivity of the octocoral Carijoa riisei at Pernambuco, Brazil. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, v. 84, n. 1, 2012. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0001-37652012000100016

GONDIM, A. I.; CHRISTOFFERSEN, M. L.; PEREIRA-DIAS, T. L. Catalogue of sponges, cnidarians, and echinoderms from Brazil based on a historical inventory of the Invertebrate Collection Paulo Young (CIPY). Turkish Journal of Bioscience and Collections, v. 4, n. 2, p. 30–63, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26650/tjbc.20200099

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN). IUCN Guidelines for the Prevention of Biodiversity Loss Caused by Alien Invasive Species. Gland-Switzerland: IUCN, 2000. Available from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiCxKHWnJmDAxV8LLkGHTG3DtMQFnoECBUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fportals.iucn.org%2Flibrary%2Fefiles%2Fdocuments%2Frep-2000-052.pdf&usg=AovVaw3Zo9g41coObhUUHA6lsQWQ&opi=89978449. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

KAHNG, S. Ecology and Ecological Impact of an Alien Octocoral, Carijoa riisei, in Hawai’i. 2006. 303 f. Dissertation (Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography) – University of Hawai’I, [s.l.], 2006. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356696001. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

KAHNG, S. E.; BENAYAHU, Y.; WAGNER, D.; ROTHE, N. Sexual reproduction in the invasive octocoral Carijoa riisei in Hawaii. Bulletin of Marine Science, v. 82, n. 1, p. 1–17, 2008. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233611824_Sexual_reproduction_in_the_invasive_octocoral_Carijoa_Riisei_in_Hawaii. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

KAHNG, S. E.; GRIGG, R. W. Impact of an alien octocoral, Carijoa riisei, on black corals in Hawaii. Coral Reefs, v. 24, n. 4, p. 556–562, 2005. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-005-0026-0

LIRA, A. K. F.; NAUD, J.-P.; GOMES, P. B.; SANTOS, A. M.; PÉREZ, C. D. Trophic ecology of the octocoral Carijoa riisei from littoral of Pernambuco, Brazil. I. Composition and spatio-temporal variation of the diet. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, v. 89, n. 1, p. 89–99, 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315408002385

MENDONÇA, L. M. C.; GUIMARÃES, C. R. P.; HADDAD, M. A. Taxonomy and diversity of hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of Sergipe, Northeast Brazil. Zoologia, v. 39, e21032, 2022. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v39.e21032

MINISTÉRIO DO MEIO AMBIENTE (MMA). Resolução nº 7, de 29 de maio de 2018. Dispõe sobre a Estratégia Nacional para Espécies Exóticas Invasoras. Diário Oficial da União: Brasília, 2018. Available from: https://www.ibama.gov.br/component/legislacao/?view=legislacao&legislacao=138909. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

ORDÓÑEZ, V.; PASCUAL, M.; RIUS, M.; TURON, X. Mixed but not admixed: A spatial analysis of genetic variation of an invasive ascidian on natural and artificial substrates. Marine Biology, v. 160, n. 7, p. 1645–1660, 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2217-5

PÁDUA, S. M. F. de; BOTTER-CARVALHO, M. L.; GOMES, P. B.; OLIVEIRA, C. S. de; SANTOS, J. C. P. dos; PÉREZ, C. D. The alien octocoral Carijoa riisei is a biogenic substrate multiplier in artificial Brazilian shipwrecks. Aquatic Ecology, v. 56, n. 1, p. 183–200, 2022. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-021-09908-8

REES, J. T. The Effect of Current on Growth Form in an Octocoral. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, v. 10, p. 115–123, 1972. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(72)90097-4

ROSA, L. C. da. First record of the bicolor purse oyster Isognomon bicolor and the acorn barnacle Striatobalanus amaryllis in the coast of Sergipe, Brazil. Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences, v. 16, n. 2, p. 64–68, 2021. Available from: http://www.panamjas.org/pdf_artigos/PANAMJAS_16(2)_118-122.pdf. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

SÁNCHEZ, J. A. Presencia de los octocorales Stylatula diadema Bayer (Pennatulacea) y Carijoa risei (Duchassaing y Michelotti) (Telestacea) en la Costa Caribe Colombiana. Anales del Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas de Punta Betín, v. 23, p. 137–147, 1994. Available from: http://doi.org/10.25268/bimc.invemar.1994.23.0.393.

SÁNCHEZ, J. A.; BALLESTEROS, D. The invasive snowflake coral (Carijoa riisei) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, Colombia. Revista de Biología Tropical, v. 62, p. 199–207, 2014. Available from: https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v62i0.16276

SANTOS, R. V. S.; SEVERI, W. Dynamics of early life-history stages of fish along an estuarine gradient. Fisheries Oceanography, v. 28, n. 4, p. 402–418, 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12420

SEMPERE-VALVERDE, J.; RAMALHOSA, P.; CHEBAANE, S.; ESPINOSA, F.; GAMA MONTEIRO, J.; BERNAL-IBÁÑEZ, A.; CACABELOS, E.; GESTOSO, I.; GUERRA-GARCÍA, J. M.; CANNING-CLODE, J. Location and building material determine fouling assemblages within marinas: A case study in Madeira Island (NE Atlantic, Portugal). Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 187, 114522, 2023. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114522

SERGIPE. Lei N.º 2.795 de 30 de março de 1990. Define Áreas de Proteção Ambiental da Foz do Rio Vaza-Barris, e dá outras providências. Diário Oficial da União: Brasília, 5 abr. 1990. Available from: https://adema.se.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lei_n_2795-90.pdf. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

SOUSA, M. C. de. Estuário do Rio Vaza-Barris. In: VALENTE, R. M.; SILVA, J. M. C. da; STRAUBE, F. C.; NASCIMENTO, J. L. X. do (Org.) Conservação de aves migratórias Neárticas no Brasil. 1. ed. Belém: Conservação internacional, 2011. p. 175-177. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289527867. Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

TYRRELL, M. C.; BYERS, J. E. Do artificial substrates favor nonindigenous fouling species over native species? Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, v. 342, n. 1, p. 54–60, 2007. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.10.014

ULMAN, A.; FERRARIO, J.; FORCADA, A.; SEEBENS, H.; ARVANITIDIS, C.; OCCHIPINTI-AMBROGI, A.; MARCHINI, A. Alien species spreading via biofouling on recreational vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Applied Ecology, v. 56, n. 12, p. 2620–2629, 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13502

VENKATARAMAN, K.; RAGHUNATHAN, C.; SATYANARAYANA, Ch.; RAJKUMAR, R. Invasion of Snowflake Coral, Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing and Michelotti,1860), in Indian Seas: Threats to Coral Reef Ecosystem. Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences, v. 45, n. 11, p. 1403–1408, 2016. Available from: https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/38629 Accessed on: 9 set. 2023.

WAGNER, D.; KAHNG, S. E.; TOONEN, R. J. Observations on the life history and feeding ecology of a specialized nudibranch predator (Phyllodesmium poindimiei), with implications for biocontrol of an invasive octocoral (Carijoa riisei) in Hawaii. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, v. 372, p. 64–74, 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2009.02.007