Biodiversity of Sessile Fauna on Rocky Shores of Coastal Islands in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil

Abstract

The epilithic sessile fauna of coastal islands off Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, was analyzed along two 30 m long sublitoral transects. A total of 111 taxa were identified of which 55 are new records for the South Atlantic epilithic assemblages. Exotic sponges, bryozoans and ascidians (Paraleucilla magna, Schizoporella errata, Bugula dentata, Styela plicata respectively) were found at Marine Protected Areas. This paper gives further knowledge on the marine sessile fauna of the coastal islands of southern Brazil for environmental monitoring programs. A more complete list of epilithic species will certainly provide a baseline to detect future environmental changes and local anthropogenic impacts on the biodiversity of southern Brazilian ecosystems.