Bruno Welter Giraldes

• PhD
• Research Assistant Professor at Qatar University

The hyperarid mangrove in the Middle East is characterised by the absence of rivers or freshwater inputs and is one of the most extreme settings of this ecosystem on Earth. Endemic to Qatar’s hyperarid mangroves, a Palaemon shrimp is uniquely confined to a sole mangrove site in the Arabian Gulf. Within these mangrove channels, we unveiled brine gro...

The pearl oyster Pinctada radiata is an iconic species in the Arabian Gulf, which is one of the ecosystems most at risk in the world because of the multiple sources of pollution it faces. Alongside chemical pollution, the Gulf is ranked first with regard to noise and light pollution, and pearl oyster populations are at risk. The impact of these lat...

In this study, laboratory and in situ experiments were performed to assess the stability of the Mushroom Forest Artificial Reef (MFAR) against the hydrodynamic forces of waves and currents and its functionality to avoid sedimentation. Physical modelling was performed in wave flume (waves only) and a long channel (currents only) with a smooth flat b...

This study presents a strategy for environmental management that aims to enhance efforts to restore threatened ecosystems. We review the exploratory system and classify the stakeholders and driving forces behind nature exploitation. Based on successful environmental management cases, we propose practical modifications for adding economic value to r...

The pearl oyster Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814), a crucial ecosystem builder in the Arabian Gulf, has experienced a significant decline, mainly attributed to anthropogenic pressures. This study aimed to characterize the reproductive cycle of P. radiata in Qatar and compare the current data with historical records in the region obtained between 1992...

The hyperarid mangrove in the Middle East is characterised by the absence of rivers or freshwater inputs and is one of the most extreme settings of this ecosystem on Earth. Endemic to Qatar’s hyperarid mangroves, a Palaemon shrimp is uniquely confined to a sole mangrove site in the Arabian Gulf. Within these mangrove channels, we unveiled brine gro...

The ecological state of the Persian or Arabian Gulf (hereafter ‘Gulf') is in sharp decline. Calls for comprehensive ecosystem-based management approaches and transboundary conservation have gone largely unanswered, despite mounting marine threats made worse by climate change. The region's long-standing political tensions add additional complexity,...

This study focused on a jellyfish monitoring and sampling programme along the eastern Qatar seawaters and reports the first jellyfish records for the Qatar pelagic ecosystem and the occurrence of three scyphozoans: the semaeostome Chrysaora cf. caliparea and the rhizostomes Marivagia stellata and Catostylus perezi , considered as first records of S...

A shallow draft sampling raft including a bow, and a stern, in which the bow is an opposite end of the raft from the stern. The raft also includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of longitudinal stringers. The plurality of longitudinal stringers are attached to an inner face the bottom surface and run from the bow to the stern. A t...

Coral communities constitute the most diverse, complex and productive marine ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf. However, they are being lost at such an alarming rate that several coral species are now threatened with regional extinction. Most corals in the Arabian Gulf are broadcast spawners, with only one annual spawning event, which constitutes a cr...

This study proposes a standardization process for the monitoring the level of tar mat contamination in the Arabian Gulf. In the study, we selected target gastropod species and evaluated the ecological and ecotoxicological effects of tar mats on their populations, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals, and these species’ potential as bioindicator taxa...

Marine habitats are Earth's largest aquatic ecosystems, yet little is known about marine organism's genomes. Molecular studies can unravel their genetics print, thus shedding light on specie's adaptation and speciation with precise authentication. However, extracting high molecular weight DNA from marine organisms and subsequent DNA library prepara...

This study demonstrated the plasticity of reef-decapod according with the exposed anthropogenic pressure. Comparing the reef-decapods at sites with different anthropogenic pressures in two different ecoregions (tropical and subtropical reef ecotypes), we demonstrated that historical anthropogenic activity is molding directly and indirectly their po...

The great majority of marine ecosystems in Qatar are in fast decline and nearing collapse, where most ecosystem has lost the biological and economic functionality. Aiming to support the decision makers in the management and restoration strategies for recovering the biological and economic functionality of the ecosystems/natural resources of Qatar,...

In the framework of the Coral Management Plan for the North Field Expansion Project (NFE) and North Field Production Sustainability Project (NFPS), Qatargas has partnered with the Environmental Science Center (ESC) to develop the first land-based coral nursery in Qatar. This nursery plan includes the extraction of 1000 corals’ colonies from the NFP...

In recent years, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) combined with separation techniques has allowed comprehensive analysis of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) as well as their metabolites and transformation products in various environmental samples via retrospective screening. However, to date, only a few suspect or non-targeted studie...

Extending into the Arabian Gulf, Qatar is surrounded by a number of islands mostly scattered by the eastern coastline. With the unique physical characteristics of the Gulf, which is a highly saline sea with high seawater temperatures, there is an urge need to investigate the macroalgae living in such harsh environment. Macroalgae plays an important...

The NPRP9-394-1-090 project “Pearl Oyster: from national icon to guardian of Qatar's marine environment” had as main aim to develop and apply an integrated suite of chemical and biological methods as early warning tools to assess the “health” of Qatar’s marine environment. The central theme consisted in an investigative monitoring program around th...

Sustaining social and economic growth is impossible without a holistic environmental vision that places environmental preservation for Qatar’s future generations at the forefront. According to the Ministry of Development and Planning and Statistics, the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 aims to direct Qatar towards a balance between developmental ne...

Many species of mangrove crabs are essential in the formation of mangrove ecosystems, and the bioturbation resulting from the excavation of their underground chambers is directly correlated with substrate oxygenation and carbon and nitrogen cycling within the ecosystem. This study examines the ecological and biogeographical characteristics of bioen...

The mushroom Forest Artificial Reef has originally a mushroom/spool shape. Designed as a blue engineering method to increase the complexity of subsea construction. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to articles used as an artificial reef and/or used as a part of an artificial reef, methods of making the articles, methods of using the...

This study presents the taxonomic description of two new sponge species that are intimately associated with the hyperarid mangrove ecosystem of Qatar. The study includes a preliminary evaluation of the sponges’ potential bioactivity against pathogens. Chalinula qatari sp. nov. is a fragile thinly encrusting sponge with a vivid maroon colour in life...

The pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata radiata is an iconic species in Qatar, representing an integral part of the nation's cultural heritage and one of the main economic foundations upon which the nation developed. During the early part of the 20th century, nearly half the Qatar population was involved in the pearl oyster industry. However, the fishe...

This is a pilot study to examine, on a limited scale, the antibiotic activity of substances extracted from sponges within the QMZ using the expertise from two different fields: Marine taxonomy and microbiology. Due the large gap in taxonomic description of sponges in the Arabian Gulf and due the preliminary status of this study in the bioactive eva...

A number of molluscs within the Class Bivalvia are defined by their ability to secrete fine silk like threads known as byssus which are used to anchor themselves to solid substrates. With relatively few exceptions the majority of these species remain in a sedentary state throughout their life attached via their byssal threads. However, observations...

Measurements of the observed behaviour highlighting the displacement (cm) per day and the direction (horizontal or vertical) and the number of byssum thread used in each movement. (XLSX)

This study presents the first documented observations of a brachyuran crab's proactive fishing behaviour in conjunction with mangrove pneumatophores which are employed as prey-localization devices. All ecological data were recorded in situ using simple behavioural observations, visual census and field experiments. Field experiments were based on st...

This report presents the first occurrence of the Indo-Pacific benthic ctenophore Coeloplana (Benthoplana)meteoris (Thiel, 1968)in the western part of the Arabian-Persian Gulf, extending its range to 2000km, a record that illustrates a cyclic event observed in the Marine Arabic Province. The seasonal biodiversity influx of invertebrates from the Ind...

Lysmata arvoredensis sp. nov. inhabits temperate waters in the south coast of Brazil and is named in tribute to the Marine Protected Area REBIO Arvoredo. This is the fourth species belonging to the genus Lysmata recorded for the region and the ninth for Brazil. L. arvoredensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of Lysmata by the prese...

The relationship between populations of marine organisms and physicochemical gradients directly influence distributions of species within associated seascapes. This study examines the impact that exposure to sunlight and substrate type has on the distribution of decapods in a tropical coastal reef environment. The study was performed at night when...

The Indo-West Pacific genus Coleusia Galil 2006, was recently described and now comprises seven species. We describe a new species from the western Arabian Gulf, Coleusia janani n. sp. The new species is closely related to the congener C. biannulata (Tyndale-Biscoe & George, 1962), and can be distinguished from other species at these genus congener...

A short and illustrative description about the crustaceans that occur in the no-take preserved marine zone (reserva do Arvoredo) in the south of Brazil.

This report confirms the presence of Pelia mutica in Brazil, extending its range by approximately 4000 km south to the southwestern Atlantic Ocean from its most southerly recorded distribution. The presence of this small ornamental marine crab with cryptic habits and native to Caribbean waters raises some challenging questions about modern problems...

Genetic analysis divides Panulirus argus into two different species, physically separated by the Amazon-Orinoco plume since the Last Glacial Maximum. Panulirus argus sensu stricto is distributed north of this biogeographic barrier and the second species to the south, occurring in Brazil. The Panulirus species in the Atlantic Ocean are being overfis...

Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) is the representative species of the Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) complex described as inhabiting the Arabian Gulf. It represents one of the most important decapod resources within this semi-enclosed hyper-saline and hyper-thermal marine eco-region. Previous biological and ecological descriptions for P. pelagi...

The Arabian Gulf is subjected to some of the most intense sea water temperatures and salinity levels in the world. In an attempt to understand the distribution and species composition of gastropod assemblages which live in these hyper-thermic and hyper-saline conditions a rapid assessment survey was undertaken along the intertidal zone of Qatar. Th...

Biological Collections, which deal directly with identifying and documenting biodiversity, have a major role in assisting biodiversity management. They form the basis for research, documenting flora and fauna and creating repositories of biological information. Without taxonomic research the biological collections would be merely a collection of cu...

The “Pearl Oyster” Pinctada radiata has long been associated with the nation of Qatar. Historically pearl oysters were harvested in huge quantities in the Arabian Gulf with Qatari pearls making up a large percentage of the fishery. However, following the discovery of oil in Qatar, combined with the emergence of Japanese cultured pearls onto the mar...

Artisanal fishing using gillnets impact the shore reefs more than it is pictured. • It impacts low-trophic level species such as important herbivores and detritivores. • It impacts rare decapod populations that inhabit mainly coastal reefs. • It impacts juveniles of lobster that use the shore reefs as nursery area. • This activity results in seriou...

In subtidal zones, certain shrimp species with cryptic behaviour represent a gap in the biodiversity description in many places in the world. This study extends the southern limit of Stenopus hispidus (Oliver, 1811), Alpheus formosus Gibbes, 1850, Alpheus cf. packardii Kingsley, 1880 and Lysmata ankeri Rhyne & Lin, 2006 to Santa Catarina State - Br...

Decapods play a crucial role within the reef ecosystem and the development of scuba diving as a survey tool has allowed researchers the opportunity to study the decapod–reef relationship more comprehensively. The present study describes the differences in decapod assemblages in intertidal and subtidal zones at a tropical coastal reef system in the...

The barbouriid shrimp Janicea antiguesis (Chace, 1972) is reported from Porto de Galinhas and Tamandaré in Pernambuco and Guarapari in Espírito Santo, Brazil. These records confirm the presence of J. antiguensis in northeastern and eastern Brazil, considerably extending its Brazilian range from Fernando de Noronha to southern Espírito Santo and als...

This study investigated the composition and spatial distribution of the sublittoral decapods on the reefs of Porto de Galinhas Beach, southern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil, through the Underwater Visual Census technique. Data were collected monthly, at night during full-moon tides in low tide periods from June 2004 to May 2005, using SCUBA diving an...

The present study aimed to evaluate the current state of knowledge of marine and estuarine shrimp species from the suborder Dendrobranchiata and the infraorders Stenopodidea and Caridea, considering their diversity and distribution along the North and Northeast Brazilian coast (N/NE). The number of reported species rose from 124 to 169 since the Pa...