INFORMATION ABOUT

THE MARINE INVERTEBRATES

IN CERRO VERDE
2007: CARRANZA, A. Pilot programme of ecosystem monitoring in Cerro
Verde (Uruguay): two years of malacological assessment.Tentacle.The
Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Mollusc Specialist Group, 15: 22-23.
http://alvar.carranza.googlepages.com/Tentacle15.pdf

Pilot programme of ecosystem monitoring in Cerro Verde (Uruguay): two

years of malacological assessment

By A. Carranza

Coastal development, land based chemical and nutrient pollution and shipping
practices combine to alter the structure and functioning of marine and coastal
ecosystems globally. Implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) is a critical
issue for the protection of marine life and their habitats. These areas may provide
multiple benefits, including protection of habitat, conservation of biodiversity,
insurance against environmental uncertainty and sites for scientific investigation,
baseline information, education and recreation. Cerro Verde (Uruguay) is being
implemented as the first marine protected area in the country, covering over 510 km2
of a marine-coastal ecosystem.

Endangered molluscs potentially contained within the reserve include the gastropods
Olivancillaria contortuplicata, O. teaguei and Olivella formicacorsii (Mansur et al., 2003,
Scarabino, 2004). However, data on molluscs and other marine invertebrates in the
area are scarce, mostly qualitative and scattered in the literature (Scarabino et al.,
2006a, b). In the first step of this project, we gather extensive quantitative data on
species abundance, distribution, and temporal variation on intertidal and subtidal rocky
platforms. This allowed us to obtain the first complete faunal inventory for this
environment and to explore the ecological factors controlling local biodiversity. The
first results will bepublished in a peer-reviewed international journal in 2007
(Borthagaray & Carranza, in press).

The molluscan assemblage of the intertidal and shallow subtidal rocky platforms is
dominated by the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezi, followed in percent cover by Perna
perna. The former is able to develop monocultures, principally in the higher intertidal.
Scattered, small specimens of Mytilus edulis platensis are occasionally found, together
with the mytilid Modiulus carvalhoi. The mussel beds and algae provide spatial
heterogeneity for the development of a complex assemblage. At least two more bivalve
species (Sphaenia fragilis and Entodesma patagonicum) thrive among the mussel beds.
Gastropods are represented in the upper shore by Echinolittorina lineolata and the
limpets Lottia subrugosa and Siphonaria lessonii, the latter species also extending into
the low intertidal and shallow subtidal. Costoanachis sertulariarum is commonly found
associated with mussel beds in the lower and mid intertidal, where the larger whelk
Stramonita haemastoma feeds on mussels. Another predator, the whelk Hanetia
hanetti, is found in the low intertidal. With the chiton Chaetopleura sp., a total of 13
mollusc species occurr in the Cerro Verde rocky intertidal. This two-year study has thus
provided a qualitative and quantitative baseline for the evaluation of environmental
impacts within the MPA.

In order to complete the faunal inventory, we now aim to explore the soft-bottom
invertebrate fauna within the reserve by means of benthic surveys onboard the
artisanal fleet, using appropriate sampling devices such as epibenthic dredges, shrimp
trawl nets and Van Veen dredges. This will allow us to obtain information on benthic
invertebrate diversity in the entire area, improving the scientific information needed to
effectively manage the MPA.

Borthagaray, A.I. & Carranza, A. in press. Mussels as ecosystem

engineers: their contribution to species richness in rocky littoral
community. Acta Oecologica.

Mansur, M.C.D., Heydrich, I., Pereira, D., Richinitti, L.M.Z.,

Tarasconi, J.C. & de C. Rios, E. 2003. Moluscos. In: Livro
vermelho da fauna ameaçada de extinção no Rio Grande do Sul
(eds Fontana, C.S., Bencke, G.A. & Reis, R.E.), p. 49-71.
EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre.

Scarabino, F. 2004. Conservación de la malacofauna uruguaya.

Comunicaciones de la Sociedad Malacológica del Uruguay 8(82-
83): 267-273.

Scarabino, F., Zaffaroni, J.C., Carranza, A., Clavijo, C. & Nin, M.

2006a. Gasterópodos marinos y estuarinos de la costa uruguaya:
faunística, distribución, taxonomía y conservación. In: Bases para
la conservación y el manejo de la costa uruguaya (eds Menafra,
R., Rodríguez-Gallego, L., Scarabino, F. & Conde, D.), p. 143-
156. Vida Silvestre (Sociedad Uruguaya para la Conservación de
la Naturaleza), Montevideo.

Scarabino, F., Zaffaroni, J.C., Clavijo, C., Carranza, A. & Nin, M.

2006b. Bivalvos marinos y estuarinos de la costa uruguaya:
faunística, distribución, taxonomía y conservación. In: Bases para
la conservación y el manejo de la costa uruguaya (eds Menafra,
R., Rodríguez-Gallego, L., Scarabino, F. & Conde, D.), p. 157-
170. Vida Silvestre (Sociedad Uruguaya para la Conservación de
la Naturaleza), Montevideo.

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2008: SEGURA, A., DELGADO, E., CARRANZA, A. The red shrimp fishery in
Punta Del Diablo (Uruguay): a first approach. Pan American Journal of
Aquatic Sciences,3(3):232-236.
http://alvar.carranza.googlepages.com/PanamJAS_33_232-236.pdf

The red shrimp Pleoticus mulleri is captured along most of its distribution range. In
Uruguay, it is targeted by the artisanal fleet operating in the Atlantic coast, although a
description of the fishery is lacking for this area. The highest fishing effort is located in
Punta del Diablo, where the fishing season lasts from September-October to
December. This fishery is operated by 7 small vessels (7-9 m) in journeys lasting from
8 to 12 h. The total shrimp-catch per fishing season is ca. 12 tons. By-catch consisted
in 27 fish species (21 bony fishes and 6 Condrictians), 11 mollusks species, 9
crustacean species, 2 echinodermatan and one polychaete. We registered interactions
with the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens that resulted in
gear damage. Larus dominicanus was the most abundant avian species feeding on
discarded organisms. During fieldwork, we experienced an important cooperation from
the artisanal fishing community, which needs to be linked to scientific knowledge
towards a co-management experience.

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2008: CARRANZA, A & BORTHAGARAY, AI. The brown mussel Perna perna in
the native mussel beds of Cerro Verde (Uruguay).JMBA2 - Biodiversity
Records, Publicado online.
http://alvar.carranza.googlepages.com/6000Carranza.pdf

Uruguayan mussel beds are located along the estuarine gradient caused by the
interaction of the Rio de la Plata runoff and the Atlantic Ocean, changing in species
composition across this gradient. In the oceanic portion of the gradient, the exotic
Perna perna showed a sequence of local extinction-colonization episodes since at least
the second half of 20th Century, thus altering the dominance relationships within the
mussel beds. Owing to its larger size, this species may have caused profound
effects on the spatial structure of the mussel beds and consequently on its associated
macrofauna. In this vein, we analyzed patterns in zonation, abundance and dominance
of mussel species in a mussel bed located in the oceanic portion of the Uruguayan
coast in relation to tidal and exposure level. We also evaluated if these factors could
affect the dominance patterns between mussel species. The main results showed that
the dominance of the native mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii was consistent
across all tidal levels in all sites in terms of absolute and relative abundance, with the
exception of the shallow subtidal at the intermediate site, where P. perna dominated
over this species in terms of relative abundance. This suggests that the effect of an
invasive mussel is highly dependent on the receptive assemblage, and that the
outcome of interespecifc competition can also be modulated by small-scale factors.

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2007. Carranza, A. INVESTIGACIÓN, MONITOREO Y CONSERVACIÓN:

INVERTEBRADOS BENTÓNICOS DEL AREA MARINA PROTEGIDA DE CERRO
VERDE (ROCHA, URUGUAY). 5° Encuentro de Ecoturismo y Turismo Rural y IV
Congreso Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas. Trinidad, Flores, Uruguay, 25 – 28
de Abril de 2007. Pág. 45

La implementación de áreas marinas protegidas (AMPs) es considerada una medida

indispensable para la conservación in situ de la diversidad biológica. Sin embargo, para
la detección de posibles fenómenos de erosión de la biodiversidad y de especies
introducidas es indispensable disponer de un inventario taxonómico preciso y
actualizado. Esto resulta particularmente relevante para el caso de los invertebrados
bentónicos, el cual constituye el grupo zoológico más importante en términos de
número de especies. En Uruguay, el área de Cerro Verde (Rocha), fue designada como
la primera área marina protegida dentro del Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas.
Sin embargo, la escasa información previa dificulta la cuantificación y detección de
impactos ambientales y limita la capacidad de manejo del AMP. En tal sentido, en el
marco del proyecto “Pilot programme for ecosystemic monitoring in Cerro Verde
(Uruguay): benthic invertebrates as a tool for conservation”, se está realizando un
monitoreo de la diversidad y abundancia de la comunidad bentónica. La primera fase
del proyecto (2005-06) se centró en el estudio de los invertebrados del intermareal
rocoso y permitió identificar hasta el momento tres especies nuevas para Uruguay. En
la segunda fase (2007), se están realizando muestreos sistemáticos a bordo de
embarcaciones artesanales, empleando los artes de pesca utilizados comúnmente por
los pescadores locales (i.e. red camaronera) así como mediante el empleo de rastras
epibentónicas. En el muestreo piloto realizado en Enero de 2007 se colectaron 13 taxa
de macroinvertebrados bentónicos, siendo dominantes los crustáceos Loxopagurus
loxochelis y Libinia espinosa (45,31 y 26,56% de los individuos colectados). Otros
grupos bien representados fueron los moluscos (Pachycymbiola brasiliana, Buccinanops
cochlidium y B. duartei), los cnidarios (Antholoba achates) y los equinodermos (Mellita
quinquiesperforata). Además, se colectaron dos especies de decápodos, Hepatus
pudibundus y Araneus cribarius y varias especies de peracáridos aun no identificados.
La información obtenida durante este proyecto permitirá conocer en profundidad la
diversidad de invertebrados bentónicos en el área y su variabilidad espacial y temporal,
proveyendo una herramienta útil para el monitoreo y manejo del AMP.

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2007: BORTHAGARAY, A. I. & CARRANZA, A. Mussels as ecosystem
engineers: Their contribution to species richness in rocky littoral
community. Acta Oecologica 31: 243-250.
http://alvar.carranza.googlepages.com/BorthagarayCarranza.pdf

Mussels are important ecosystem engineers in marine benthic systems because they
agregate into beds, thus modifying the nature and complexity of the substrate. In this
study,we evaluated the contribution of mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii, Mytilus edulis
platensis,and Perna perna) to the benthic species richness of intertidal and shallow
subtidal communities at Cerro Verde (Uruguay). We compared the richness of macro-
benthic species between mussel-engineered patches and patches without mussels but
dominated by algae or barnacles at a landscape scale (all samples), between tidal
levels, and between sites distributed along a wave exposition gradient. Overall, we
found a net increase in species richness in samples with mussels (35 species), in
contrast to samples where mussels were naturally absent or scarce (27 species). The
positive trend of the effect did not depend upon tidal level or wave exposition, but its
magnitude varied between sites. Within sites, a significant positive effect was detected
only at the protected site. Within the mussel engineered patches, the richness of all
macro-faunal groups (total, sessile and mobile) was positively correlated with mussel
abundance. This evidence indicates that the mussel beds studied here were important
in maintaining species richness at the landscape-level, and highlights that beds of
shelled bivalves should not be neglected as conservation targets in marine benthic
environments.

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2007: CARRANZA, A, BORGES, M, RODRÍGUEZ, M & BORTHAGARAY, AI.

Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from La Coronilla-Cerro Verde (Uruguay): a
new record for the Uruguayan coast. Biota Neotropica, 7(3).
http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/pt/fullpaper?bn01607032007+en

La Coronilla-Cerro verde has been proposed as the frst marine protected area in
Uruguay. As part of a detailed benthic biodiversity assessment at the reserve, we
analyzed the ophiuroid fauna collected in the intertidal and shallow subtidal during
2005 and 2006. Three species of ophiuroids were identifed: Amphioplus lucyae,
Amphipholis squamata and Amphiodia sp. Only two species belonging to the genus
Amphiodia (A. pulchella and A. planispina) have been previously mentioned for
Uruguayan waters, indicating that the unidentifed species found in this study
constitutes a previously unreported species.

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2007: CARRANZA, A., BORTHAGARAY, A. I. & GENZANO, G. N. Two new

records of pycnogonids on the Uruguayan coast. Brazilian Journal of Biology,
67 (2):373-375.
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-
69842007000200026&lng=&nrm=iso&tlng=
The Pycnogonida from Uruguayan waters are scarcely known, and their reports are
markedly discontinuous. In this paper, several individuals of two previously unrecorded
Pycnogonids at the shallow rocky subtidal and lower intertidal fringes of Cerro Verde
(Rocha, Uruguay) are reported. The specimens were assigned to Pycnogonum
pamphorum Marcus, 1940 and Anoplodactylus petiolatus (Kroyer, 1844). This is the
first record of these species on the Uruguayan coast and the southernmost record of P.
pamphorum, previously recorded only in Santos, Brazil (type locality).

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Fabrizio Scarabino. TWO GASTROPODS ASSOCIATED WITH FLOATING

OBJECTS FROM THE URUGUAYAN COAST. Comunicaciones de la Sociedad
Malacológica del Uruguay.
8 (82–83): 275–277. 2004
www.smdu.org.uy/82-83/8283-275.PDF

The gastropods Litiopa melanostoma Rang, 1829 (Caenogastropoda: Litiopidae) and

Fiona pinnata (Eschscholtz, 1831) (Nudibranchia: Fionidae) are recorded for the first
time from Uruguayan waters based in material collected on the coast of Rocha. This is
the southernmost record for these species in the Western Atlantic Ocean, and the first
one of F. pinnata from the Atlantic South American coast.