Underwater treasure: reef fish in the Lagoa do Jequiá Marine Extractive Reserve, south coast of Alagoas

Authors

  • Márcio J.C.A. Lima-Júnior Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Programa de Pós-graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Conservação nos Trópicos/ICBS, Maceió/AL, Brasil. Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação/LIC, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica/LEB, Penedo/AL, Brasil. Instituto Meros do Brasil, Curitiba/PR, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2454-3926
  • José A.C.C. Nunes Instituto Meros do Brasil, Curitiba/PR, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2743-797X
  • Ricardo J. Miranda Universidade Federal da Bahia/UFBA, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, Campus de Ondina, Salvador/BA, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5499-5504
  • Sergio R. Albuquerque Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/ICMBio, Reserva Extrativista Marinha da Lagoa do Jequiá, Jequiá da Praia/AL, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3332-8635
  • Flávio Ferreira-Júnior Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo/IFES, Laboratório de Dinâmica de Populações Marinhas, Piúma/ES, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4180-641X
  • Tiago Albuquerque Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação/LIC, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica/LEB, Penedo/AL, Brasil. Instituto Meros do Brasil, Curitiba/PR, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7854-4997
  • Everson C. Santos Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação/LIC, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica/LEB, Penedo/AL, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1333-9726
  • Zach A. Hornfeld Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação/LIC, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica/LEB, Penedo/AL, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3939-6372
  • Taciana K. Pinto Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Programa de Pós-graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Conservação nos Trópicos/ICBS, Maceió/AL, Brasil. Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação/LIC, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica/LEB, Penedo/AL, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8295-7206
  • Cláudio L. S. Sampaio Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Programa de Pós-graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Conservação nos Trópicos/ICBS, Maceió/AL, Brasil. Universidade Federal de Alagoas/UFAL, Laboratório de Ictiologia e Conservação/LIC, Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica/LEB, Penedo/AL, Brasil. Instituto Meros do Brasil, Curitiba/PR, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0389-2302

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v16i2.2841

Keywords:

Southwestern Atlantic, tropical conservation , marine ichthyofauna

Abstract

On the southern coast of the state of Alagoas, extensive reef areas still unknown to science hold economic importance for fisheries and are also strategic for the conservation of Brazilian marine biodiversity. In this context, we conducted an inventory of the reef fish assemblage of the Lagoa do Jequiá Marine Extractive Reserve (RESEX Jequiá), a federal protected area. Sampling was carried out from 2021 to 2025 using scientific diving methods, including underwater visual census and active search. Additionally, fishery landings were opportunistically monitored in order to expand the list of recorded species. A total of 135 reef fish species were identified, comprising 126 Actinopterygii and 9 Chondrichthyes (Elasmobranchii). The families Labridae (11 spp.) and Carangidae (10 spp.) were the most species-rich. Richness estimates suggest a potential of between 180 and 294 species for RESEX Jequiá, indicating that local diversity is still underestimated. Of the recorded species, 38% (51 spp.) are considered fishery resources, and 13% (17 spp.) are nationally classified as threatened with extinction. Among these the critically endangered Epinephelus itajara, Scarus trispinosus and Sphyrna mokarran. In light of these results, we reinforce the importance of RESEX Jequiá and its reef environments as priority areas for marine conservation. We also highlight the urgency of implementing long-term monitoring programs to generate continuous knowledge that supports effective management and conservation strategies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Alvarenga M, Bunholi IV, Brito GR, Siqueira MVBM, Domingues RR, Charvet P, et al. Fifteen years of extensive and inadvertent elasmobranch trade in Brazil detected by DNA tools. EcoEvoRxiv. 2023. https://doi.org/10.32942/X2N31X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32942/X2N31X

2. Araújo ME, Mattos FMG, Melo FPL, Chaves LDCT, Feitosa CV, Lippi DL, et al. Diversity patterns of reef fish along the Brazilian tropical coast. Mar Environ Res. 2020; 160: 105038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105038. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105038

3. Benevides LJ, Cardozo-Ferreira GC, Ferreira CEL, Pereira PHC, Pinto TK, Sampaio CLS. Fear-induced behavioural modifications in damselfishes can be diver-triggered. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2019.03.009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2019.03.009

4. Béguinot J. Basic Theoretical Arguments Advocating Jackknife-2 as Usually being the Most Appropriate Nonparametric Estimator of Total Species Richness. Annual Research & Review in Biology. 2016; 10: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.9734/ARRB/2016/25104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/ARRB/2016/25104

5. Brandl SJ, Goatley CHR, Bellwood DR, Tornabene L. The hidden half: ecology and evolution of cryptobenthic fishes on coral reefs. Biol Rev. 2018; 93(4): 1846–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12423

6. Bueno LS, Bertoncini AA, Koenig CC, Coleman FC, Freitas MO, Leite JR, et al. Evidence for spawning aggregations of the endangered Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in southern Brazil. J Fish Biol. 2016; 89(1): 876–89. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13028. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13028

7. Camilo JPG, Nunes VFC, Miranda RJ, Sampaio CLS, Jesus LWO, Oliveira JM, et al. Management strategy influences coral oxidative stress responses in a marine protected area in the Southwestern Atlantic. Mar Pollut Bull. 2024; 198: 115832. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115832

8. Carvalho-Filho A. Peixes: costa brasileira. São Paulo: Literare Books International; 2024. 424 p.

9. Castro CB, Pires DO. Brazilian coral reefs: what we already know and what is still missing. Bull Mar Sci. 2001; 69(2): 357–71.

10. Chaves LCT, Nunes JACC, Sampaio CLS. Shallow reef fish communities of South Bahia coast, Brazil. Braz J Oceanogr. 2010; 58: 33–46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592010000800006

11. Coleman FCA, Nunes JACC, Bertoncini BAA, Bueno LS, Freitas MO, Borgonha M, et al. Controversial opening of a limited fishery for Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the United States: Implications for population recovery. Mar Policy. 2023; 155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105752

12. Colin PL, Sadovy YJ, Domeier ML. Manual for the study and conservation of reef fish spawning aggregations. Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations; 2003.

13. Colton MA, Swearer SE. A comparison of two survey methods: differences between underwater visual census and baited remote underwater video. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 2010; 400: 19–36. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08377. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08377

14. Correia MD. Scleractinian corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from reef ecosystems on the Alagoas coast, Brazil. J Mar Biol Assoc UK. 2011; 91(3): 659–68. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410000858. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410000858

15. Craig MT, Mitcheson YJS, Heemstra PC. Groupers of the world: a field and market guide. Grahamstown: CRC Press; 2012. 403 p.

16. Depczynski M, Bellwood DR. The role of cryptobenthic reef fishes in coral reef trophodynamics. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 2003; 256: 183–91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps256183

17. Dulvy NK, Pacoureau N, Rigby CL, Pollom RA, Jabado RW, Ebert DA, et al. Overfishing drives over one-third of all sharks and rays toward a global extinction crisis. Curr Biol. 2021; 31(21): 4773–87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.062

18. Edgar GJ, Barrett NS, Morton AJ. Biases associated with the use of underwater visual census techniques to quantify the density and size-structure of fish populations. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol. 2004 ; 308: 269–90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2004.03.004

19. Ferreira CEL, Floeter SR, Gasparini JL, Ferreira BP, Joyeux JC. Trophic structure patterns of Brazilian reef fishes: a latitudinal comparison. J Biogeogr. 2004; 31(7): 1093–106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2004.01044.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2004.01044.x

20. Ferreira CM, Coni EOC, Medeiros DV, Sampaio CLS, Reis-Filho JA, Barros F, et al. Community structure of shallow rocky shore fish in a tropical bay of the Southwestern Atlantic. Braz J Oceanogr. 2015; 63: 379–96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592015074706304

21. Ferreira BP, Freitas MO, Bertoncini AA, Hostim-Silva M, Gerhardingher L, Nunes ZMP, et al. Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein, 1822). In: ICMBio, editor. Livro vermelho da fauna brasileira ameaçada de extinção: volume VI - Peixes. Brasília: ICMBio/MMA; 2018. p. 805–12.

22. Floeter SR, Pinheiro HT, Rocha LA. Biogeography and evolution of Brazilian reef fishes. In: Floeter SR, Krajewski JP, Fiuza TMJ, Rocha LA, Carvalho-Filho A, editors. Brazilian reef fishes. Curitiba: Editora CRV; 2023. p. 15–20.

23. Freitas MO, Previero M, Vera CV, Spach HL, Francini-Filho RB, Moura RL. Reproductive biology and management of two commercially important groupers in the SW Atlantic. Environ Biol Fish. 2018; 101: 79–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-017-0682-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-017-0682-2

24. García V, Lucifora L, Myers R. The importance of habitat and life history to extinction risk in sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras. Proc Biol Sci. 2007; 275: 83–9. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2007.1295. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2007.1295

25. Giglio VJ, Bertoncini AA, Ferreira BP, Hostim-Silva M, Freitas MO. Landings of goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, in Brazil: despite prohibited over ten years, fishing continues. Nat Conservação. 2014; 12(2): 118–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncon.2014.09.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncon.2014.09.004

26. Giglio VJ, Luiz OJ, Schiavetti A. Marine life preferences and perceptions among recreational divers in Brazilian coral reefs. Tour Manag. 2015; 51: 49–57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.04.006

27. Giglio VJ, Ternes ML, Luiz OJ, Zapelini C, Freitas MO. Human consumption and popular knowledge on the conservation status of groupers and sharks caught by small-scale fisheries on Abrolhos Bank, SW Atlantic. Mar Policy. 2018; 89: 142–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2017.12.020

28. Gotelli NJ, Colwell RK. Quantifying biodiversity: procedures and pitfalls in the measurement and comparison of species richness. Ecol Lett. 2001; 4(4): 379–91. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2001.00230.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2001.00230.x

29. ICMBio. Plano de manejo da Reserva Extrativista Marinha da Lagoa do Jequiá. 2023. [cited 2024 Nov 20]. Available from: https://acesse.one/hSJd4

30. IUCN. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2025. [cited 2024 Nov 20]. Available from: https://www.iucnredlist.com

31.Knoppers B, Ekau W, Figueiredo AG. The coast and shelf of east and northeast Brazil

and material transport. Geo-Mar. Lett. 1999; 19: 171-178 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003670050106

32 Leão ZMAN, Minervino-Neto A, Ferreira BP, Feitosa CV, Sampaio CLS, et al. Monitoramento dos recifes e ecossistemas coralinos. In: Turra A, Denadai MR, editors. Protocolos para o monitoramento de habitats bentônicos costeiros – ReBentos. São Paulo: Instituto Oceanográfico da USP; 2015. p. 155–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7476/9788598729251.0013

33 Leão ZMAN, Kikuchi RKP, Ferreira BP, Neves EG, Sovierzoski HH, Oliveira MDM, et al. Brazilian coral reefs in a period of global changes: A synthesis. Braz J Oceanogr. 2016; 64: 97–116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-875920160916064sp2

34 Lima-Júnior MJCA, Nunes JACC, Albuquerque T, Sampaio CLS. Knowledge connections for conservation of the Atlantic Goliath Grouper, Epinephelus itajara: records of tropical Brazilian coast. Neotrop Ichthyol. 2022; 20: 1–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2022-0021

35. Lima-Júnior MJCA, Nunes JACC, Sampaio CLS. Influence of habitats on fish assemblages in tropical marine coastal areas of the Southwestern Atlantic. Neotrop Ichthyol. 2025; 23(1): e240038. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0038. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0038

36. Malafaia P, França A, Olavo G. Spawning aggregation sites of the cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus, on the continental shelf of Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil. Fish Res. 2021; 242: 106037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106037

37. MMA. Portaria MMA Nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026. Lista Nacional de Espécies Ameaçadas de Extinção. 2026. [citad 2026 Mai 20]. Acesso: https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/portaria-gm/mma-n-1.667-de-27-de-abril-de-2026-702075623

38. MMA. Portaria MMA N° 445, de 17 de dezembro de 2014. 2014. [citad 2024 Nov 20]. Acesso: https://l1nk.dev/ROJAk

39. Miranda RJ, Nunes JACC, Mariano-Neto E, Sippo JZ, Barros F. Do invasive corals alter coral reef processes? An empirical approach evaluating reef fish trophic interactions. Mar Environ Res. 2018; 138: 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.03.013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.03.013

40. Miranda RJ, Malhado ACM, Fabré NN, Batista VS, Santos R, Campos-Silva JV, et al. Integrating long term ecological research (Lter) and marine protected area management: challenges and solutions. Oecol Aust. 2020; 24(2): 279–300. https://doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2020.2402.05. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2020.2402.05

41. Nunes JACC, Sampaio CLS, Barros F. The influence of structural complexity and reef habitat types on flight initiation distance and escape behaviors in labrid fishes. Mar Biol. 2015; 162(3): 493–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2578-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2578-4

42. Nunes LT, Floeter SR, Ferreira CEL. Feeding ecology of Brazilian reef fishes. In: Floeter SR, Krajewski JP, Fiuza TMJ, Rocha LA, Carvalho-Filho A, editors. Brazilian reef fishes. Curitiba: Editora CRV; 2023. p. 15–20.

43. Nunes VFC, Ferreira MTO, Ferreira-Júnior FS, Amorim MBB, Sampaio CLS, Pinto TK. Do marine protected areas protect shallow coral reef systems? A resilience-based management approach in Tropical Southwestern Atlantic reefs. J Coast Conserv. 2022; 26(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-022-00930-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-022-00930-y

44. Oliveira CDL, Oliveira CYB, Camilo JPG, Batista VS. Demographic analysis reveals a population decline of the longnose stingray Hypanus guttatus in Northeastern Brazil. Reg Stud Mar Sci. 2021; 41: 101554. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2020.101554

45. Peluso L, Tascheri V, Nunes FLD, Castro CB, Pires DO, Zilberberg C. Contemporary and historical oceanographic processes explain genetic connectivity in a Southwestern Atlantic coral. Sci Rep. 2018; 8: 2684. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21010-y

46. Pereira PHC, Côrtes LGF, Lima GV, Gomes E, Pontes AVF, Mattos F, et al. Reef fishes biodiversity and conservation at the largest Brazilian coastal Marine Protected Area (MPA Costa dos Corais). Neotrop Ichthyol. 2021; 19(4). https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0071. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0071

47. Pereira PHC, Lima GV, Silva EG, Farias PAV, Côrtes LGF, Sampaio CLS, et al. Spatial distribution, management zoning and depth effects on reef biodiversity and productivity at the largest Brazilian coastal marine protected area. Coral Reefs. 2024; 43: 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-024-02536-2

48. Pereira JS, Santos LE, Cardoso ATC. Construção do monitoramento participativo e ecossistêmico da pesca na Reserva Extrativista Marinha Lagoa do Jequiá. Biodivers Bras. 2025; 15(2): 17–29. https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v15i2.2534. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v15i2.2534

49. Pinheiro HT, Rocha LA, Macieira RM, Carvalho-Filho A, Anderson AB, Bender MG, et al. South-western Atlantic reef fishes: zoogeographical patterns and ecological drivers reveal a secondary biodiversity centre in the Atlantic Ocean. Divers Distrib. 2018; 24(7): 951–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12729. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12729

50. Rangely J, Fabré NN, Tiburtino C, Batista VS. Estratégias de pesca artesanal no litoral marinho alagoano (Brasil). Bol Inst Pesca. 2010; 36(4): 263–75.

51. Reis-Filho JA, Schmid K, Harvey ES, Giarrizzo T. Coastal fish assemblages reflect marine habitat connectivity and ontogenetic shifts in an estuary-bay-continental shelf gradient. Mar Environ Res. 2019; 148: 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.05.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.05.004

52. Sale PF, Sharp BJ. Correction for bias in visual transect censuses of coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs. 1983; 2: 37–42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304730

53. Sampaio CLS, Paiva ACG, Silva ECS. Peixes, pesca e pescadores do Baixo São Francisco, Nordeste do Brasil. In: Nogueira EM, Nogueira MF, Sá P, editors. A pesca artesanal no Baixo São Francisco: atores, recursos, conflitos. Petrolina: Sabeh; 2015. p. 105–48.

54. Sampaio CLS, Oliveira MT. O conhecimento ecológico local para a conservação das tartarugas marinhas no litoral sul alagoano. In: Correia JMS, Santos EM, Moura GJB, editors. Conservação de tartarugas marinhas no Nordeste do Brasil: pesquisas, desafios e perspectivas. Recife: EDUFRPE; 2016. p. 196–209.

55. Sampaio CLS, Pinto TK. Recifes e ambientes coralíneos sob a influência do Rio São Francisco (SE/AL). In: Laborel DF, Castro CB, Nunes FLD, Pires DO, editors. Recifes brasileiros: o legado de Laborel. Rio de Janeiro: Museu Nacional; 2019. p. 174–5.

56. Santos JR, Santos LA, Fontes LCS. Geomorphological and sedimentary mapping of paleolines of coast in the continental platform south of Alagoas. Rev GeoNordeste. 2019: 60–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33360/RGN.2318-2695.2019.i1p60-79

57. Simpfendorfer CA, Kyne PM. Limited potential to recover from overfishing raises concerns for deep-sea sharks, rays and chimaeras. Environ Conserv. 2009; 36(2): 97. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892909990191. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892909990191

Downloads

Published

2026-05-15

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2026): Fluxo Contínuo

Section

Fluxo Contínuo: Biodiversidade e espécies ameaçadas  

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Márcio J. C. A. Lima Júnior, José A.C.C. Nunes, Ricardo J. Miranda, Flávio S. Ferreira Júnior, Sergio R. Albuquerque, Zach A. Hornfeld, Everson C. Santos, Tiago Albuquerque, Taciana Kramer Pinto, Cláudio L. S. Sampaio

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The authors retain copyright to the published works, which may be reused and disseminated in other media, provided that the original publication source (Biodiversidade Brasileira journal) is cited.