Rocío Vilela1, Mar Humet1, João Canning-Clode2,3, João Monteiro2,3, Fernando Lima1, Rui Seabra1
1CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Portugal - 2University of the Azores, Portugal - 3Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Portugal
The Selvagens Islands, designated as Portugal’s first marine natural reserve in 1978, represent one of the last remaining intact marine ecosystems in the eastern Atlantic due to their remoteness and strict protection. Together with Madeira and the Canary Islands, they form the Webbnesia biogeographical region, known for its high number of endemic species. Despite their ecological significance, the intertidal biodiversity of these islands remains poorly explored, mainly due to logistical challenges and the islands’ isolation.
In May 2024, we conducted a comprehensive survey of the rocky intertidal zones of the Selvagens Islands, focusing on marine invertebrates. The study covered three sites on Selvagem Grande (Baía Cagarras, Baía Galinhas, and Baía Pardelas) and one on Selvagem Pequena (Praia dos Ingleses). We also deployed temperature loggers to initiate the long-term monitoring of site-specific thermal conditions.
Our findings revealed a total of 47 species from seven animal phyla, with Mollusca being the predominant group. Notably, this study documents, for the first time, the presence of Platyhelminthes, Cnidaria, Porifera, and Arthropoda in the intertidal zones of these islands. Additionally, two species were exclusively recorded in Selvagem Pequena, highlighting microhabitat-specific biodiversity patterns.
This work underscores the importance of conducting research in protected and pristine environments, as they provide unique opportunities to study natural ecosystems free from significant anthropogenic pressures. The findings from the Selvagens Islands enhance our understanding of Macaronesian biogeographic patterns and emphasize the need for continued protection and monitoring of these rare and fragile ecosystems, which are invaluable for global conservation efforts.
Biography
Rocío is a marine biologist who specialises in understanding how physical stress affects rocky intertidal organisms. She is interested in the consequences of thermal stress, both under natural and experimental conditions. She has broad experience with a variety of model species in a wide range of geographic regions (NE and SW Atlantic).