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Dominance relationship between three sympatric native species with different thermal affinities in a global warming context
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
O aquecimento global tem um grande impacto negativo na biodiversidade marinha do
planeta. A perda de habitat causada pelas alterações climáticas pode ter um impacto
significativo nos comportamentos exibidos pelas espécies que habitam nos ecossistemas que
enfrentam este problema. Dito isto, muitas espécies podem alterar os seus comportamentos de
modo a aumentar a sua probabilidade de sobrevivência. Neste estudo, três espécies simpátricas
de anémonas do mar (Actinia equina Linnaeus, 1758, Actinia schmidti Monteiro, Sole-Cava &
Thorpe, 1997, e Actinia fragacea Tugwell, 1856) foram testadas em termos de agressão
interespecífica, tendo sido avaliadas em vários parâmetros a duas temperaturas: 18ºC e 23ºC.
Curiosamente, foram observados dois comportamentos que anteriormente não tinham sido
descritos e procedeu-se à sua descrição. Atualmente, Actinia equina e Actinia fragacea são
espécies intensamente estudadas em termos de agressão, e afirma-se que Actinia equina
apresenta altos níveis de agressão quando enfrenta Actinia fragacea. No entanto, o reportório
agressivo de Actinia schmidti não tinha sido anteriormente descrito na literatura disponível. O
resultado esperado neste estudo era que Actinia equina seria a espécie mais dominante a 18ºC,
enquanto Actinia schmidti seria a espécie mais dominante a 23ºC devido às afinidades térmicas
de ambas as espécies. Com base nos resultados obtidos nesta tese, pode-se concluir que Actinia
equina é a espécie mais dominante em ambas as temperaturas, enquanto Actinia schmidti é a
menos dominante em ambas as temperaturas. No entanto, é importante referir que Actinia
schmidti apresenta uma dominância superior a 23ºC, ainda que esta seja superada pelas outras
duas espécies.
ABSTRACT: Global warming has a major negative impact on the planet's marine biodiversity. The loss of habitat space caused by climate change can significantly impact the behaviors displayed by the species that inhabit these environments. As a result, many species may change their behaviors to increase their chances of survival. In this study, three species of sympatric sea anemones (Actinia equina Linnaeus, 1758, Actinia schmidti Monteiro, Sole-Cava & Thorpe, 1997, and Actinia fragacea Tugwell, 1856) were tested, and multiple parameters of interspecific aggression were assessed at two different temperatures: 18ºC and 23ºC. Interestingly, two previously undescribed behaviors were observed and described. Currently, Actinia equina and Actinia fragacea are well-studied species in terms of aggression, and it's stated that Actinia equina displays high levels of aggression towards Actinia fragacea. In contrast, Actinia schmidti’s aggressive repertoire has not been previously studied. The expected result was that Actinia equina would be the most dominant species at 18ºC, while Actinia schmidti would be the most dominant at 23ºC due to their thermal affinities. Based on the results obtained in this thesis, it can be concluded that Actinia equina is the most dominant species at both temperatures, while Actinia schmidti is the least dominant at both temperatures. However, it's important to mention that Actinia schmidti displays an increased dominance at 23ºC, even if it’s still surpassed by the other two species.
ABSTRACT: Global warming has a major negative impact on the planet's marine biodiversity. The loss of habitat space caused by climate change can significantly impact the behaviors displayed by the species that inhabit these environments. As a result, many species may change their behaviors to increase their chances of survival. In this study, three species of sympatric sea anemones (Actinia equina Linnaeus, 1758, Actinia schmidti Monteiro, Sole-Cava & Thorpe, 1997, and Actinia fragacea Tugwell, 1856) were tested, and multiple parameters of interspecific aggression were assessed at two different temperatures: 18ºC and 23ºC. Interestingly, two previously undescribed behaviors were observed and described. Currently, Actinia equina and Actinia fragacea are well-studied species in terms of aggression, and it's stated that Actinia equina displays high levels of aggression towards Actinia fragacea. In contrast, Actinia schmidti’s aggressive repertoire has not been previously studied. The expected result was that Actinia equina would be the most dominant species at 18ºC, while Actinia schmidti would be the most dominant at 23ºC due to their thermal affinities. Based on the results obtained in this thesis, it can be concluded that Actinia equina is the most dominant species at both temperatures, while Actinia schmidti is the least dominant at both temperatures. However, it's important to mention that Actinia schmidti displays an increased dominance at 23ºC, even if it’s still surpassed by the other two species.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado realizada
sob a orientação de Professora Doutora Ana Pereira,
apresentada no Ispa – Instituto
Universitário para obtenção de grau de
Mestre na especialidade de Biologia
Marinha e Conservação.
Keywords
Agressão interespecífica Mudanças comportamentais Mudanças climáticas Interspecific aggression Behavioral changes Climate change