Interconnected marine habitats form a single continental-scale reef system in South America.

Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting processes vital to the maintenance of biodiversity. Here we show the presence and location of extensive reef habitats on the continental shelf between the Amazon Reef System (ARS) and the Eastern Brazilian Reef System (ERS), two reef complexes off eastern South America. Formations located 20-50 m deep include both biogenic and geogenic structures.

Alien hotspot: Benthic marine species introduced in the Brazilian semiarid coast.

In this study, we provide a baseline assessment of introduced marine species along the extensive (~600 km) Brazilian semiarid coast. We reported 27 introduced and 26 cryptogenic species. Moreover, the main vectors of introduction were ballast water, shipping lines, oil and gas activities, biofouling, and rafting on plastic debris.

Molecular evidences confirm the taxonomic separation of two sympatric congeneric species (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Neritidae, ).

A reliable taxonomy, together with more accurate knowledge of the geographical distribution of species, is a fundamental element for the study of biodiversity. Multiple studies on the gastropod family Neritidae record three species of the genus in the Brazilian Province: (Bruguière, 1792), (Linnaeus, 1758), and Lamarck, 1822. While has a well-established taxonomic status and geographical distribution, the same cannot be said regarding its congeners.