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First record of the exotic Eualetes tulipa from Bahia State, Brazil, co-occurring with Tubastraea corals (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae)

2024; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 104; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0025315424000705

1469-7769

Jessika Alves, Saulo Serra, Rodrigo Johnsson, Elizabeth Neves,

Fish biology, ecology, and behavior

Abstract Extending over warmer environments in the Brazilian waters, the exotic vermetid Eualetes tulipa was first recorded from Ceará State (3°S) in 2005. In 2009, it was reported in cold-water environments in Rio de Janeiro State (22°S). Seven years later, E. tulipa was recorded from Rio Grande do Norte State (6°S) on rocky pools in sandstone reefs. In the present study, E. tulipa is for the first time recorded from Bahia State (12°S), associated with a biofouling community in the Todos-os-Santos Bay, co-occurring with exotic dendrophylliid corals ( Tubastraea ). The vermetid community recorded from Bahia State shows a great diversity of epibionts, mostly bivalves, cirripeds and sponges. The co-occurrence of Eualetes and Tubastraea corals must be monitored, once these exotic species are co-occurring in a protected environmental area, bringing concern on possible impacts on native benthic fauna.