Bioinvasion of Sun Coral (Tubastraea tagusensis): A Threat to the Essential Ecosystem Services in Morro de São Paulo, Cairú, Bahia, Brazil

Souza Filho, J.R.; Cruz, I.C.S.; Martinez, S.T., and de Andrade, J.B., 2024. Bioinvasion of sun coral (Tubastraea tagusensis): A threat to the essential ecosystem services in Morro de São Paulo, Cairú, Bahia, Brazil. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 144-147. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. In Brazil, two species of sun coral originating from the Pacific Ocean (Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis) are invading rocky shores and coral reefs, which is a cause for great concern, as they compete with and reduce the settlement of native reef-building corals, also impacting the resident fish fauna. In this work we report the expansion of its distribution by 39 km south of the species T. tagusensis after 10 years of its first record in Todos os Santos Bay, a rapid expansion in relation to what has been reported in the literature. Additionally, we report that we did not record this species at greater distances than this either to the north or to the south. This species represents a threat to the Marine Protected Area of Tinharé-Boipeba (equivalent to IUCN type V) and the regional economy dependent on fishing and tourism.