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Morais J, Cordeiro IL, Medeiros APM, Santos GG, Santos BA. Exploring depth-related patterns of sponge diversity and abundance in marginal reefs. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11643. [PMID: 38957700 PMCID: PMC11219198 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine sponges play a vital role in the reef's benthic community; however, understanding how their diversity and abundance vary with depth is a major challenge, especially on marginal reefs in areas deeper than 30 m. To help bridge this gap, we used underwater videos at 24 locations between 2- and 62-meter depths on a marginal reef system in the Southwestern Atlantic to investigate the effect of depth on the sponge metacommunity. Specifically, we quantified the abundance, density, and taxonomic composition of sponge communities, and decomposed their gamma (γ) diversity into alpha (α) and beta (β) components. We also assessed whether beta diversity was driven by species replacement (turnover) or by nesting of local communities (nestedness). We identified 2020 marine sponge individuals, which belong to 36 species and 24 genera. As expected, deep areas (i.e., those greater than 30 m) presented greater sponge abundance and more than eightfold the number of sponges per square meter compared to shallow areas. About 50% of the species that occurred in shallow areas (<30 m) also occurred in deep areas. Contrarily to expectations, alpha diversity of rare (0 D α), typical (1 D α), or dominant (2 D α) species did not vary with depth, but the shallow areas had greater beta diversity than the deep ones, especially for typical (1 D β) and dominant (2 D β) species. Between 92.7% and 95.7% of the beta diversity was given by species turnover both inside and between shallow and deep areas. Our results support previous studies that found greater sponge abundance and density in deep areas and reveal that species sorting is stronger at smaller depths, generating more beta diversity across local communities in shallow than deep areas. Because turnover is the major driver at any depth, the entire depth gradient should be considered in management and conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Morais
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e EcologiaCidade UniversitáriaJoão PessoaParaíbaBrazil
| | - Igor L. Cordeiro
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e EcologiaCidade UniversitáriaJoão PessoaParaíbaBrazil
| | - Aline P. M. Medeiros
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e EcologiaCidade UniversitáriaJoão PessoaParaíbaBrazil
| | - George G. Santos
- Instituto de Formação de EducadoresUniversidade Federal Do CaririBrejo SantoCearáBrazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação Em Diversidade Biológica e Recursos Naturais (PPGDR), Centro de Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), PimentaUniversidade Regional Do Cariri (URCA)CratoCearáBrazil
| | - Bráulio A. Santos
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e EcologiaCidade UniversitáriaJoão PessoaParaíbaBrazil
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Gragnolati M, Rolim FA, Pereira-Filho GH, Athayde ACS, Ciotti ÁM, Motta FS. Vertical structure of reef fish assemblages and light penetration reveal new boundaries of mesophotic ecosystems in the subtropical Southwestern Atlantic. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106527. [PMID: 38688110 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
In the Southwest Atlantic, fisheries and in situ observations suggest that mesophotic reefs occur further south than has been reported in the literature, and a description of these subtropical regions is still lacking. We used Baited Remote Underwater stereo-Videos to explore unrevealed patterns in the vertical structure of fish assemblages on subtropical Atlantic reefs, contrasting shallow and mesophotic habitats. Our data on species turnover and light penetration reveal that in the subtropical Atlantic, the boundaries between shallow and mesophotic habitats occur at depths of 18 m, which is shallower than most previous studies have shown. Generalized additive mixed models identified different environmental and management factors as important predictor variables that explain distribution of fish assemblages' attributes. Besides adding new evidence about mesophotic limits, we described variations in the vertical structure of fish assemblages, providing important information for the description and conservation of mesophotic environments in subtropical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisha Gragnolati
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, 11070-100, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda A Rolim
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, 11070-100, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme H Pereira-Filho
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, 11070-100, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara S Athayde
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, 11070-100, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Áurea M Ciotti
- Aquarela Lab, Rodovia Manoel Hypólito do Rego, Km 131, 50 S/N, Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, 11600-000, São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio S Motta
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, 11070-100, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Sannassy Pilly S, Roche RC, Richardson LE, Turner JR. Depth variation in benthic community response to repeated marine heatwaves on remote Central Indian Ocean reefs. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231246. [PMID: 38545610 PMCID: PMC10966399 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Coral reefs are increasingly impacted by climate-induced warming events. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the variation in the response of shallow coral reef communities to thermal stress across depths. Here, we assess depth-dependent changes in coral reef benthic communities following successive marine heatwaves from 2015 to 2017 across a 5-25 m depth gradient in the remote Chagos Archipelago, Central Indian Ocean. Our analyses show an overall decline in hard and soft coral cover and an increase in crustose coralline algae, sponge and reef pavement following successive marine heatwaves on the remote reef system. Our findings indicate that the changes in benthic communities in response to elevated seawater temperatures varied across depths. We found greater changes in benthic group cover at shallow depths (5-15 m) compared with deeper zones (15-25 m). The loss of hard coral cover was better predicted by initial thermal stress, while the loss of soft coral was associated with repeated thermal stress following successive warming events. Our study shows that benthic communities extending to 25 m depth were impacted by successive marine heatwaves, supporting concerns about the resilience of shallow coral reef communities to increasingly severe climate-driven warming events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ronan C. Roche
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, BangorLL59 5AB, UK
| | | | - John R. Turner
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, BangorLL59 5AB, UK
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van Woesik R, Shlesinger T, Grottoli AG, Toonen RJ, Vega Thurber R, Warner ME, Marie Hulver A, Chapron L, McLachlan RH, Albright R, Crandall E, DeCarlo TM, Donovan MK, Eirin‐Lopez J, Harrison HB, Heron SF, Huang D, Humanes A, Krueger T, Madin JS, Manzello D, McManus LC, Matz M, Muller EM, Rodriguez‐Lanetty M, Vega‐Rodriguez M, Voolstra CR, Zaneveld J. Coral-bleaching responses to climate change across biological scales. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:4229-4250. [PMID: 35475552 PMCID: PMC9545801 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The global impacts of climate change are evident in every marine ecosystem. On coral reefs, mass coral bleaching and mortality have emerged as ubiquitous responses to ocean warming, yet one of the greatest challenges of this epiphenomenon is linking information across scientific disciplines and spatial and temporal scales. Here we review some of the seminal and recent coral-bleaching discoveries from an ecological, physiological, and molecular perspective. We also evaluate which data and processes can improve predictive models and provide a conceptual framework that integrates measurements across biological scales. Taking an integrative approach across biological and spatial scales, using for example hierarchical models to estimate major coral-reef processes, will not only rapidly advance coral-reef science but will also provide necessary information to guide decision-making and conservation efforts. To conserve reefs, we encourage implementing mesoscale sanctuaries (thousands of km2 ) that transcend national boundaries. Such networks of protected reefs will provide reef connectivity, through larval dispersal that transverse thermal environments, and genotypic repositories that may become essential units of selection for environmentally diverse locations. Together, multinational networks may be the best chance corals have to persist through climate change, while humanity struggles to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert van Woesik
- Institute for Global EcologyFlorida Institute of TechnologyMelbourneFloridaUSA
| | - Tom Shlesinger
- Institute for Global EcologyFlorida Institute of TechnologyMelbourneFloridaUSA
| | | | - Rob J. Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, KāneʻoheUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | | | - Mark E. Warner
- School of Marine Science and PolicyUniversity of DelawareLewesDelawareUSA
| | - Ann Marie Hulver
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Leila Chapron
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Rowan H. McLachlan
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of MicrobiologyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | | | - Eric Crandall
- Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - Mary K. Donovan
- Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science and School of Geographical Sciences and Urban PlanningArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Jose Eirin‐Lopez
- Institute of EnvironmentFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Hugo B. Harrison
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Scott F. Heron
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Physics and Marine Geophysical LaboratoryJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of SingaporeSingapore
| | - Adriana Humanes
- School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas Krueger
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Joshua S. Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, KāneʻoheUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | - Derek Manzello
- Center for Satellite Applications and ResearchSatellite Oceanography & Climate DivisionNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Lisa C. McManus
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, KāneʻoheUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | - Mikhail Matz
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jesse Zaneveld
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of WashingtonBothellWashingtonUSA
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5
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Godefroid M, Dupont S, Metian M, Hédouin L. Two decades of seawater acidification experiments on tropical scleractinian corals: Overview, meta-analysis and perspectives. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 178:113552. [PMID: 35339865 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ocean acidification has emerged as a major concern in the last fifteen years and studies on the impacts of seawater acidification on marine organisms have multiplied accordingly. This review aimed at synthesizing the literature on the effects of seawater acidification on tropical scleractinians under laboratory-controlled conditions. We identified 141 articles (published between 1999 and 2021) and separated endpoints into 22 biological categories to identify global trends for mitigation and gaps in knowledge and research priorities for future investigators. The relative number of affected endpoints increased with pH intensity (particularly for endpoints associated to calcification and reproduction). When exposed to pH 7.6-7.8 (compared to higher pH), 49% of endpoints were affected. The diversity in experimental designs prevented deciphering the modulating role of coral life stages, genera or duration of exposure. Finally, important bias in research efforts included most experiments on adult corals (68.5%), in 27 out of 150 (18%) coral ecoregions and exclusively from shallow-waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Godefroid
- PSL Research University: EPHE-CNRS-UPVD, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013, 98729 Papetoai, Mo'orea, French Polynesia; Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Mo'orea, French Polynesia.
| | - Sam Dupont
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg Marine Research Station, Kristineberg 566, 45178 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden; Radioecology Laboratory International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco
| | - Marc Metian
- Radioecology Laboratory International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- PSL Research University: EPHE-CNRS-UPVD, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013, 98729 Papetoai, Mo'orea, French Polynesia; Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Mo'orea, French Polynesia
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6
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The Effects of Depth-Related Environmental Factors on Traits in Acropora cervicornis Raised in Nurseries. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14020212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Populations of Acropora cervicornis, one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean, have been declining due to human activities and global climate change. This has prompted the development of strategies such as coral farms, aimed at improving the long-term viability of this coral across its geographical range. This study focuses on comprehending how seawater temperature (ST), and light levels (LL) affect the survival and growth of A. cervicornis fragments collected from three reefs in Culebra, Puerto Rico. These individuals were fragmented into three pieces of the similar sizes and placed in farms at 5, 8, and 12 m depth. The fragments, ST and LL were monitored for 11 months. Results show that fragments from shallow farms exhibit significantly higher mortalities when compared to the other two depths. Yet, growth at shallow farms was nearly 24% higher than at the other two depths. Corals grew fastest during winter, when temperature and LL were lowest, regardless of the water depth. Fragment mortality and growth origin were also influenced by reef origin. We conclude that under the current conditions, shallow farms may offer a slight advantage over deep ones provided the higher growth rate at shallow farms and the high fragment survival at all depths.
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Montgomery AD, Fenner D, Donahue MJ, Toonen RJ. Community similarity and species overlap between habitats provide insight into the deep reef refuge hypothesis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23787. [PMID: 34893672 PMCID: PMC8664904 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03128-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The deep reef refuge hypothesis (DRRH) postulates that mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) may provide a refuge for shallow coral reefs (SCRs). Understanding this process is an important conservation tool given increasing threats to coral reefs. To establish a better framework to analyze the DRRH, we analyzed stony coral communities in American Sāmoa across MCEs and SCRs to describe the community similarity and species overlap to test the foundational assumption of the DRRH. We suggest a different approach to determine species as depth specialists or generalists that changes the conceptual role of MCEs and emphasizes their importance in conservation planning regardless of their role as a refuge or not. This further encourages a reconsideration of a broader framework for the DRRH. We found 12 species of corals exclusively on MCEs and 183 exclusively on SCRs with another 63 species overlapping between depth zones. Of these, 19 appear to have the greatest potential to serve as reseeding species. Two additional species are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, Acropora speciosa and Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa categorized as an occasional deep specialist and a deep exclusive species, respectively. Based on the community distinctiveness and minimal species overlap of SCR and MCE communities, we propose a broader framework by evaluating species overlap across coral reef habitats. This provides an opportunity to consider the opposite of the DRRH where SCRs support MCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D Montgomery
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA. .,Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, HI, 96850, USA.
| | - Douglas Fenner
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Linker, Inc., Pago Pago, AS, 96799, USA
| | - Megan J Donahue
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - Robert J Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
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Medeiros APM, Ferreira BP, Betancur‐R R, Cardoso APLR, Matos MRSBC, Santos BA. Centenary shipwrecks reveal the limits of artificial habitats in protecting regional reef fish diversity. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aline P. M. Medeiros
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal da ParaíbaCidade Universitária João Pessoa Brazil
| | - Beatrice P. Ferreira
- Departamento de Oceanografia Centro de Tecnologia Universidade Federal de PernambucoCidade Universitária Recife Brazil
| | - Ricardo Betancur‐R
- Department of Biology The University of Oklahoma Norman OK USA
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - Aiara P. L. R. Cardoso
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal da ParaíbaCidade Universitária João Pessoa Brazil
| | - Marcello R. S. B. C. Matos
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal da ParaíbaCidade Universitária João Pessoa Brazil
| | - Bráulio A. Santos
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza Universidade Federal da ParaíbaCidade Universitária João Pessoa Brazil
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de Palmas S, Soto D, Ho MJ, Denis V, Chen CA. Strong horizontal and vertical connectivity in the coral Pocillopora verrucosa from Ludao, Taiwan, a small oceanic island. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258181. [PMID: 34634065 PMCID: PMC8504772 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesophotic habitats could be sheltered from natural and anthropogenic disturbances and act as reproductive refuges, providing propagules to replenish shallower populations. Molecular markers can be used as proxies evaluating the connectivity and inferring population structure and larval dispersal. This study characterizes population structure as well as horizontal and vertical genetic connectivity of the broadcasting coral Pocillopora verrucosa from Ludao, a small oceanic island off the eastern coast of Taiwan. We genotyped 75 P. verrucosa specimens from three sites (Gongguan, Dabaisha, and Guiwan) at three depth ranges (Shallow: 7-15 m, Mid-depth: 23-30 m, and Deep: 38-45 m), spanning shallow to upper mesophotic coral reefs, with eight microsatellite markers. F-statistics showed a moderate differentiation (FST = 0.106, p<0.05) between two adjacent locations (Dabaisha 23-30 and Dabaisha 38-45 m), but no differentiation elsewhere, suggesting high levels of connectivity among sites and depths. STRUCTURE analysis showed no genetic clustering among sites or depths, indicating that all Pocillopora individuals could be drawn from a single panmictic population. Simulations of recent migration assigned 30 individuals (40%) to a different location from where they were collected. Among them, 1/3 were assigned to deeper locations, 1/3 to shallower populations and 1/3 were assigned to the right depth but a different site. These results suggest high levels of vertical and horizontal connectivity, which could enhance the recovery of P. verrucosa following disturbances around Ludao, a feature that agrees with demographic studies portraying this species as an opportunistic scleractinian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane de Palmas
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Derek Soto
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jay Ho
- Green Island Marine Research Station, Marine Science Thematic Centre, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Green Island, Taitung, Taiwan
| | - Vianney Denis
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chaolun Allen Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
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10
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Coral distribution and bleaching vulnerability areas in Southwestern Atlantic under ocean warming. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12833. [PMID: 34172760 PMCID: PMC8233347 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92202-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Global climate change is a major threat to reefs by increasing the frequency and severity of coral bleaching events over time, reducing coral cover and diversity. Ocean warming may cause shifts in coral communities by increasing temperatures above coral's upper thermal limits in tropical regions, and by making extratropical regions (marginal reefs) more suitable and potential refugia. We used Bayesian models to project coral occurrence, cover and bleaching probabilities in Southwestern Atlantic and predicted how these probabilities will change under a high-emission scenario (RCP8.5). By overlapping these projections, we categorized areas that combine high probabilities of coral occurrence, cover and bleaching as vulnerability-hotspots. Current coral occurrence and cover probabilities were higher in the tropics (1°S-20°S) but both will decrease and shift to new suitable extratropical reefs (20°S-27°S; tropicalization) with ocean warming. Over 90% of the area present low and mild vulnerability, while the vulnerability-hotspots represent ~ 3% under current and future scenarios, but include the most biodiverse reef complex in South Atlantic (13°S-18°S; Abrolhos Bank). As bleaching probabilities increase with warming, the least vulnerable areas that could act as potential refugia are predicted to reduce by 50%. Predicting potential refugia and highly vulnerable areas can inform conservation actions to face climate change.
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11
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Medeiros APM, Ferreira BP, Alvarado F, Betancur-R R, Soares MO, Santos BA. Deep reefs are not refugium for shallow-water fish communities in the southwestern Atlantic. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4413-4427. [PMID: 33976819 PMCID: PMC8093723 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The deep reef refugia hypothesis (DRRH) predicts that deep reef ecosystems may act as refugium for the biota of disturbed shallow waters. Because deep reefs are among the most understudied habitats on Earth, formal tests of the DRRH remain scarce. If the DRRH is valid at the community level, the diversity of species, functions, and lineages of fish communities of shallow reefs should be encapsulated in deep reefs.We tested the DRRH by assessing the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of 22 Brazilian fish communities between 2 and 62 m depth. We partitioned the gamma diversity of shallow (<30 m) and deep reefs (>30 m) into independent alpha and beta components, accounted for species' abundance, and assessed whether beta patterns were mostly driven by spatial turnover or nestedness.We recorded 3,821 fishes belonging to 85 species and 36 families. Contrary to DRRH expectations, only 48% of the species occurred in both shallow and deep reefs. Alpha diversity of rare species was higher in deep reefs as expected, but alpha diversity of typical and dominant species did not vary with depth. Alpha functional diversity was higher in deep reefs only for rare and typical species, but not for dominant species. Alpha phylogenetic diversity was consistently higher in deep reefs, supporting DRRH expectations.Profiles of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic beta diversity indicated that deep reefs were not more heterogeneous than shallow reefs, contradicting expectations of biotic homogenization near sea surface. Furthermore, pairwise beta-diversity analyses revealed that the patterns were mostly driven by spatial turnover rather than nestedness at any depth. Conclusions. Although some results support the DRRH, most indicate that the shallow-water reef fish diversity is not fully encapsulated in deep reefs. Every reef contributes significantly to the regional diversity and must be managed and protected accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline P M Medeiros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal da Paraíba João Pessoa PB Brazil
| | - Beatrice P Ferreira
- Departamento de Oceanografia Centro de Tecnologia Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife Brazil
| | - Fredy Alvarado
- Departamento de Agricultura Centro de Ciências Humanas Sociais e Agrárias Universidade Federal da Paraíba Bananeiras PB Brazil
| | - Ricardo Betancur-R
- Department of Biology The University of Oklahoma Norman OK USA
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - Marcelo O Soares
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar-LABOMAR Universidade Federal do Ceará Meireles Brazil
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA) Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Barcelona Spain
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DISTEBA) Università del Salento Lecce Italy
| | - Bráulio A Santos
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza Universidade Federal da Paraíba João Pessoa PB Brazil
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Soares MDO, Araújo JTD, Ferreira SMC, Santos BA, Boavida JRH, Costantini F, Rossi S. Why do mesophotic coral ecosystems have to be protected? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 726:138456. [PMID: 32481209 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; ~30-150 m depth) are among the most biologically diverse and least protected ecosystems in the world's oceans. However, discussions regarding the conservation of these unique ecosystems are scarce. To address this issue, we identified the features of MCEs that demonstrate they should be considered as a global conservation priority. Some MCEs are characterized by their well-preserved and unique seascapes; their narrow environmental tolerance and high vulnerability to anthropogenic effects; and their slow recovery and reduced reproductive performance. The unique biodiversity of MCEs includes depth-adapted specialist species and new species, most of which are threatened or important fishery resources. MCEs also provide refuge against human stressors, valuable ecosystem services, and ecological connectivity. MCEs generally meet the criteria to be classified as Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, we highlight that many MCEs worldwide are threatened and not yet adequately protected by fishery regulations, marine protected areas, or considered in marine spatial planning. Establishing MCEs as a global conservation priority requires the designation of national, international, transnational, public, and private policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo de Oliveira Soares
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar-LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. da Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Brazil; Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Carrer de les Columnes, Edifici Z, Cerdanyolla del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DISTEBA), Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Jorge Thé de Araújo
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar-LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. da Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Bráulio Almeida Santos
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Joana Ruela Heimbürger Boavida
- Aix Marseille Université, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288, Marseille, France; Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Federica Costantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) and Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Carrer de les Columnes, Edifici Z, Cerdanyolla del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DISTEBA), Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
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Venegas RM, Oliver T, Liu G, Heron SF, Clark SJ, Pomeroy N, Young C, Eakin CM, Brainard RE. The Rarity of Depth Refugia from Coral Bleaching Heat Stress in the Western and Central Pacific Islands. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19710. [PMID: 31873188 PMCID: PMC6928217 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56232-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Some researchers have suggested that corals living in deeper reefs may escape heat stress experienced by shallow corals. We evaluated the potential of deep coral reef refugia from bleaching stress by leveraging a long record of satellite-derived sea surface temperature data with a temporal, spatial, and depth precision of in situ temperature records. We calculated an in situ stress metric using a depth bias-adjusted threshold for 457 coral reef sites among 49 islands in the western and central Pacific Ocean over the period 2001-2017. Analysis of 1,453 heating events found no meaningful depth refuge from heat stress down to 38 m, and no significant association between depth and subsurface heat stress. Further, the surface metric underestimated subsurface stress by an average of 39.3%, across all depths. Combining satellite and in situ temperature data can provide bleaching-relevant heat stress results to avoid misrepresentation of heat stress exposure at shallow reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto M Venegas
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA.
| | - Thomas Oliver
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA.
| | - Gang Liu
- NOAA/NESDIS/STAR Coral Reef Watch, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
- Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center/Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites-Maryland, University of Maryland, 5825 University Research Court, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
| | - Scott F Heron
- NOAA/NESDIS/STAR Coral Reef Watch, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
- Marine Geophysical Laboratory, Physics Department, College of Science, Technology and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - S Jeanette Clark
- National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, University of California Santa Barbara, California, CA, 93101, USA
| | - Noah Pomeroy
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA
| | - Charles Young
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA
| | - C Mark Eakin
- NOAA/NESDIS/STAR Coral Reef Watch, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
| | - Russell E Brainard
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA
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Chow GSE, Chan YKS, Jain SS, Huang D. Light limitation selects for depth generalists in urbanised reef coral communities. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 147:101-112. [PMID: 31029435 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Depth range is an important species trait for coral reef organisms, yet it remains to be quantified and analysed adequately among tropical coral species. Filling this knowledge gap is crucial as the depth limits of corals are related to important environmental factors such as light and temperature. Furthermore, the health and survivorship of corals may be threatened due to warming-induced sea-level rise, particularly for colonies living at the deeper limits of species depth ranges. Here we collected benthic and environmental data along the reef profile to characterise the depth ranges of coral species, and analysed species diversity and community structure in relation to possible depth-related biophysical parameters on the sediment-stressed reefs of Singapore. The results reveal clear environmental covariations with depth, expectedly with light availability showing the most marked decline as depth increases. Live coral cover, species richness and diversity are associated positively and significantly with light, which also structures coral communities along the reef profile more strongly than temperature or sediment levels. Relatedly, we detect species-specific depth distributions with two main strategies observed among coral species: shallow specialists and depth generalists. We suggest that corals in Singapore are unlikely to be impacted by light limitation specifically as sea level rises due to the wider depth range of the deeper species. Our data will inform conservation efforts especially in the selection of sites and depths for coral transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn S E Chow
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Y K Samuel Chan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | | | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 119227, Singapore.
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Soares MDO, Tavares TCL, Carneiro PBDM. Mesophotic ecosystems: Distribution, impacts and conservation in the South Atlantic. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo de Oliveira Soares
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar (Labomar)Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC) Fortaleza Brazil
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Barcelona Spain
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Morais J, Medeiros APM, Santos BA. Research gaps of coral ecology in a changing world. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 140:243-250. [PMID: 29970251 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs have long inspired marine ecologists and conservationists around the world due to their ecological and socioeconomic importance. Much knowledge on the anthropogenic impacts on coral species has been accumulated, but relevant research gaps on coral ecology remain underappreciated in human-modified seascapes. In this review we assessed 110 studies on coral responses to five major human disturbances- acidification, climate change, overfishing, pollution and non-regulated tourism -to identify geographic and theoretical gaps in coral ecology and help to guide further researches on the topic. We searched for papers in Web of Science published from 2000 to 2016 and classified them according to the ocean, ecoregion, human threat, level of biological organization, study approach, method of data collection, depth of data collected, and type of coral response. Most studies were carried out in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean (36.3 and 31.9%, respectively) and used observational approach (60%) with scuba diving (36.3%) to assess the impact of ocean warming (55.4%) on coral communities (58.2%). Only 37 of the 141 global ecoregions that contain coral reefs were studied. All studies were restricted to shallow waters (0.5-27 m depth) and reported negative responses of corals to human disturbance. Our results reinforce the notion that corals are sensitive to anthropogenic changes. They reveal the scarcity of information on coral responses to pollution, tourism, overfishing and acidification, particularly in mesophotic ecosystems (>30 m depth) and in ecoregions outside the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Experimental studies at the individual and population levels should be also encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Morais
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, Castelo Branco, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Aline P M Medeiros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, Castelo Branco, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Bráulio A Santos
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Cidade Universitária, Castelo Branco, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
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