Brazilian islands: study reveals presence of unique species
The research was published by the Peer Community Journal platform.
By Fabíola Sinimbú, reporter for Agência Brasil - For many years, the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean have been known as true sanctuaries for unique species, such as giant tortoises and marine iguanas. This may now change, and Brazilian oceanic islands, such as Fernando de Noronha, São Pedro e São Paulo, and Trindade, may come to share the title of most diverse on the planet.
The study Scales of Marine Endemism in Oceanic Islands and Provincial-Insular Endemism, published this Wednesday (10) by the scientific platform Peer Community Journal, highlights the massive presence of exclusive species of great relevance to science in Brazilian oceanic islands.
“Fieldwork has contributed to a more accurate survey of our biodiversity. We have found and described many new species that are endemic, exclusive to our islands. And, with this, we observe that the Brazilian islands have a very large global importance in relation to the proportion of these endemic species,” explains Hudson Pinheiro, a researcher at the Network of Experts in Nature Conservation (RECN), who led the study.
Along with his team, which includes numerous researchers from around the world, Pinheiro analyzed more than 7 species of reef fish on 87 islands worldwide. Among their findings, the researchers revealed that 40% of the species are present on more than one island in the same region, but do not colonize nearby continental areas.
Based on this discovery, the group proposes a new scientific concept of Provincial-Insular Endemism, which would lead these species to be considered endemic. According to Pinheiro, the term would bring more interest to localities that have not gained fame as centers of endemism and, therefore, attract fewer studies and conservation initiatives.
The researcher explains that the same behavior is treated unequally by science.
“For example, Fernando de Noronha Island has some species that only occur there, but it also has many species that occur there and on Atol das Rocas Island. Or only on Fernando de Noronha and São Pedro and São Paulo Island. So, they share some species that were not being counted as endemic,” he says.
Vulnerability
According to Pinheiro, this more detailed scientific examination of the species that inhabit oceanic islands, in addition to allowing a greater understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes in reef environments, also allows for the discovery of more endemic species.
“Oceanic islands are much more difficult to study than the continental coast, which is closer to us. Oceanic islands depend on scientific expeditions and consequently end up having fewer opportunities for study. So, there is a risk that some species may have already become extinct before being discovered,” he says.
Climate change caused by global warming reinforces the urgency of advancing these studies, says the scientist.
“On the continent, with the most intense warming occurring in the tropics, many species are able to migrate to regions of higher latitudes, and therefore colder ones. In other words, a transition from marine environments is possible, or species are able to migrate. But on oceanic islands, this does not occur,” he explains.
Cooperation
According to the scientist, this vulnerability of species inhabiting oceanic islands requires a collective effort to enable initiatives supporting research in these regions. He explains that the results presented by the group of scientists were only possible thanks to the commitment of the Brazilian Navy, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and social organizations that support research.
“By revealing the richness of endemism on Brazilian islands, we reinforce the urgency of protecting this heritage. It is not just about preventing biodiversity from disappearing, but about ensuring that the ocean continues to provide resources, regulate the climate, and inspire new solutions for the future,” says Marion Silva, Biodiversity Conservation Manager at the Boticário Group Foundation.
Another initiative that led to the advancement of research in the Brazilian islands was the creation of the first mesophotic scientific diving station in Latin America, by the Center for Marine Biology of the University of São Paulo (Cebimar USP), which prepared researchers for data collection and observation of environments up to 150 meters deep.
“Our support is based on the belief that science, when applied, generates concrete benefits for society. The expeditions we have supported in the Brazilian islands in recent years have already updated species lists and revealed new records for science,” concludes Marion Silva.
