Cultivo de Millepora alcicornis como uma ferramenta para Restauração e Manejo dos Ecossistemas Recifais do Nordeste do Brasil. (Portuguese)

This work evaluates the potential for cultivating the calcareous hidroid Millepora alcicornis, which is an important reef builder in Brazil, and its use as a tool to restore degraded reef areas in northeast Brazil. Fragments of M. alcicornis were produced from five colonies collected in Todos os Santos Bay, Salvador, Bahia. These fragments, measuring about 10cm in height, were maintained in an aquarium system in alternating 12 hours light/dark regime periods and in the absence of food supply during 15 weeks. The illumination system was composed of metal halide lamps (HQI) of 150w and color temperature of 10.000k, and two fluorescence tubes (white and blue ones). In aquarium A, fluorescence tubes were 40w and 20.000k and in aquarium B, 15w and 20.000k. The system was controlled by timers, which maintained the fluorescente lights on between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, and HQI lamps on from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Physical-chemical parameters were controlled and maintained at levels appropriate to calcifying organisms with a filtering system, partial water change and addition of calcium to the water. The fragments were put on a glass plate 15cm under water level to receive equal amounts of light. Lateral extension (expansion) and vertical growth (vertical extension of the branches) of the fragments were evaluated weekly, through the comparison of digital photographs and the measurement of lateral extension and vertical growth were quantified every five weeks. The weight (skeletal calcification) of each fragment was obtained once a week using the buoyant weight technique. Skeletal calcification growth values were obtained every five weeks as well. This five weeks growth was calculated as the difference of value obtained in the fifth and first weeks (AC5), the difference of value obtained in the tenth and fifth weeks (AC10) and the difference of value obtained in the fifteenth and tenth weeks (AC15). Each five weeks skeletal growth of the fragments was compared with Kruskal-Wallis test. The results show all fragments remained fixed to the support during the sampling period, without signs of stress. … [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neste trabalho foi avaliado o potencial de cultivo do hidróide calcário Millepora alcicornis, importante construtor dos recifes no Brasil, como uma ferramenta para restaurar áreas recifais degradadas no Nordeste do Brasil. Os fragmentos de M. alcicornis foram produzidos a partir de cinco colônias coletadas na Baía de Todos os Santos, Salvador, Bahia. Esses fragmentos, medindo cerca de 10cm de altura, foram mantidos em condições de cultivo em sistema de aquário, sob o regime de luz 12 horas no claro/12 horas no escuro e ausência de suplemento alimentar durante 15 semanas. Os parâmetros físico-químicos foram controlados e mantidos em níveis adequados para o crescimento de organismos calcificadores com sistema de filtragem, trocas parciais de água do sistema, e adição de cálcio na água. Os fragmentos foram posicionados numa placa de vidro a 15 cm abaixo da superfície da água do aquário para receberam a mesma quantidade de luz. A extensão lateral (expansão) e o crescimento vertical (extensão vertical dos ramos) dos fragmentos foram avaliados semanalmente, através da comparação de fotografias digitais e as medidas de extensão lateral e do crescimento vertical foram quantificadas a cada cinco semanas. O peso (calcificação esquelética) de cada fragmento foi obtido uma vez por semana através da técnica do buoyant weight. O crescimento esquelético dos fragmentos foi comparado entre cada período de cinco semanas, através do teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados mostram que 100% dos fragmentos mantiveram-se fixados ao suporte durante as 15 semanas, sem qualquer sinal de estresse. Foi observado um aumento gradativo da extensão lateral em 60% dos fragmentos ao final de 15 semanas, quando 50% dos fragmentos atingiram o dobro dos valores de extensão lateral encontrada no final da quinta semana. … [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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