1
|
Arreola JL, Galván-Villa CM, Perfecto-Avalos Y, Rodríguez-Zaragoza FA, Rios Jara E. Upper mesophotic reef fish assemblages at Bahía de Banderas, Mexico. Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e113125. [PMID: 38505125 PMCID: PMC10948997 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e113125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
There is no information on the species associated with the mesophotic reefs of Banderas Bay, located in the central Mexican Pacific. This study analysed the reef fish assemblage from three depths (50, 60 and 70 m) in three sampling sites of the southern submarine canyon of the Bay: Los Arcos, Bajo de Emirio and Majahuitas. Several analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that there are important differences in fish abundance and species composition between sites and depths. Twenty-two species of bony fishes grouped in 14 families were recorded. PERMANOVA results showed that there were no significant differences in fish diversity parameters between sites, indicating a certain uniformity in their distribution. However, nine species were exclusive to one site and depth (five singleton species with only one individual recorded and four unique species recorded only once). On the other hand, there were significant differences between depths, mainly between 50 and 70 m. Diversity decreases with depth and species composition changes. SIMPER, Shade Plot and NMDS analysis show the most representative species at each depth, with at least half of the species (11) recorded only at 50 m and four species at the deeper levels (60 - 70 m). The observed assemblage includes several of the most caught species in the shallow water artisanal fishery, which is the most traditional and common type of fishery in the Bay. In addition, the Pomacanthuszonipectus (Cortés angelfish) is of particular interest, as it has a special protection status in the official Mexican standard (NOM-059-SEMARNAT, 2010) due to its use as an ornamental species in aquaria. We hypothesised that the mesophotic zone may serve as a refuge for these fishes, so we propose that the information obtained is an important basis for new research aimed at the sustainable management of fisheries in the area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Arreola
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Guadalajara, MexicoTecnologico de MonterreyGuadalajaraMexico
| | - Cristian Moisés Galván-Villa
- Departamento de Ecología Aplicada, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, MexicoDepartamento de Ecología Aplicada, CUCBA, Universidad de GuadalajaraZapopan, JaliscoMexico
| | | | - Fabian Alejandro Rodríguez-Zaragoza
- Departamento de Ecología Aplicada, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, MexicoDepartamento de Ecología Aplicada, CUCBA, Universidad de GuadalajaraZapopan, JaliscoMexico
| | - Eduardo Rios Jara
- Departamento de Ecología Aplicada, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, MexicoDepartamento de Ecología Aplicada, CUCBA, Universidad de GuadalajaraZapopan, JaliscoMexico
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pérez-Rosales G, Hernández-Agreda A, Bongaerts P, Rouzé H, Pichon M, Carlot J, Torda G, Parravicini V, Hédouin L. Mesophotic depths hide high coral cover communities in French Polynesia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157049. [PMID: 35780903 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157049] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid decline of shallow coral reefs has increased the interest in the long-understudied mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs). However, MCEs are usually characterised by rather low to moderate scleractinian coral cover, with only a few descriptions of high coral cover at depth. Here, we explored eight islands across French Polynesia over a wide depth range (6 to 120 m) to identify coral cover hotspots at mesophotic depths and the co-occurrent biotic groups and abiotic factors that influence such high scleractinian cover. Using Bayesian modelling, we found that 20 out of 64 of studied deep sites exhibited a coral cover higher than expected in the mesophotic range (e.g. as high as 81.8 % at 40 m, 74.5 % at 60 m, 53 % at 90 m and 42 % at 120 m vs the average expected values based on the model of 31.2 % at 40 m, 22.8 % at 60 m, 14.6 % at 90 m and 9.8 % at 120 m). Omitting the collinear factors light-irradiance and depth, these 'hotspots' of coral cover corresponded to mesophotic sites and depths characterised by hard substrate, a steep to moderate slope, and the dominance of laminar corals. Our work unveils the presence of unexpectedly and unique high coral cover communities at mesophotic depths in French Polynesia, highlighting the importance of expanding the research on deeper depths for the potential relevance in the conservation management of tropical coral reefs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Pérez-Rosales
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia; PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France.
| | | | - Pim Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Héloïse Rouzé
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia; Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923, USA
| | - Michel Pichon
- Biodiversity Section, Queensland Museum, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Jérémy Carlot
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Gergely Torda
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia; PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pérez‐Rosales G, Pichon M, Rouzé H, Villeger S, Torda G, Bongaerts P, Carlot J, Parravicini V, Hédouin L, Bardout G, Fauchet J, Ferucci A, Gazzola F, Lagarrigue G, Leblond J, Marivint E, Mittau A, Mollon N, Paulme N, Périé‐Bardout E, Pete R, Pujolle S, Siu G. Mesophotic coral ecosystems of French Polynesia are hotspots of alpha and beta generic diversity for scleractinian assemblages. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Pérez‐Rosales
- PSL Research University EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Moorea French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Université de Perpignan Perpignan Cedex France
| | - Michel Pichon
- Biodiversity Section Queensland Museum Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Héloïse Rouzé
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Université de Perpignan Perpignan Cedex France
- Marine Laboratory University of Guam Mangilao Guam USA
| | | | - Gergely Torda
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Pim Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences San Francisco California USA
| | - Jeremey Carlot
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Université de Perpignan Perpignan Cedex France
| | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Université de Perpignan Perpignan Cedex France
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- PSL Research University EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Moorea French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRS USR 3278 CRIOBE Université de Perpignan Perpignan Cedex France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bongaerts P. Mesophotic coral ecosystems. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R345-R346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
5
|
Hernandez‐Agreda A, Marina Sahit F, Englebert N, Hoegh‐Guldberg O, Bongaerts P. Hidden in the deep: Distinct benthic trajectories call for monitoring of mesophotic reefs. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Marina Sahit
- Global Change Institute and School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Saint Lucia Australia
| | - Norbert Englebert
- Global Change Institute and School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Saint Lucia Australia
| | - Ove Hoegh‐Guldberg
- Global Change Institute and School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Saint Lucia Australia
| | - Pim Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences San Francisco California USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pérez-Castro MÁ, Schubert N, Ang-Montes de Oca G, Leyte-Morales GE, Eyal G, Hinojosa-Arango G. Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems in the Eastern Tropical Pacific: The current state of knowledge and the spatial variability of their depth boundaries. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150576. [PMID: 34582873 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150576] [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: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) are limited by oceanographic conditions and are thought to be mostly absent. However, considering the currently discussed more flexible approach to define mesophotic boundaries, based on light availability, we performed a systematic search to assess their current state of knowledge. Using MODIS-Aqua satellite data (Kd490), we calculated the mesophotic boundaries in the ETP, based on optical depths, and performed a bibliographic search of studies carried out at those depths, including those present in turbid waters with KdPAR values up to 0.2 m-1. Seventy-seven papers on MCEs research were compiled in this review, recording a total of 138 species. The studies focus almost exclusively on taxonomy, ecosystem function, and reviews, indicating the need for future research regarding aspects, such as structuring environmental variables, molecular ecology, and natural resource management. Furthermore, remote sensing data show that there exists a high spatial variability of water transparency in the ETP, resulting in significant differences in KdPAR between oceanic and continental locations, mostly related to the occurrence of seasonal upwelling in the latter. Based on KdPAR, we estimated the mesophotic depth boundaries (z10%, z1%, z0.1%) for specific locations within the ETP and found that MCEs can potentially occur as shallow as 13-15 m in coastal regions. Also, we compared the calculated boundaries with the respective deepest records of light-dependent corals. With one exception, the presence of the corals was restricted to the upper mesophotic subzone (z10%-z1%), which agrees with reports for other regions, showing that light availability is one of the main drivers for the bathymetric distribution of MCEs and can be used as a first approach to identify their potential presence, though other local factors (e.g., geomorphology, temperature, internal waves) should also be considered, as they can cause shifts in depth limits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Pérez-Castro
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (CIIDIR), Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Calle de Hornos 1003, Sta. Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, Mexico.
| | - Nadine Schubert
- CCMAR - Center of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Ang-Montes de Oca
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICML-UNAM), Cancún, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Esteban Leyte-Morales
- Universidad del Mar, Campus Puerto Ángel (UMAR), Instituto de Recursos, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Gal Eyal
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Gustavo Hinojosa-Arango
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (CIIDIR), Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Calle de Hornos 1003, Sta. Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pérez-Rosales G, Rouzé H, Torda G, Bongaerts P, Pichon M, Parravicini V, Hédouin L. Mesophotic coral communities escape thermal coral bleaching in French Polynesia. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210139. [PMID: 34804562 PMCID: PMC8580450 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and consequent coral bleaching are causing the disappearance of reef-building corals worldwide. While bleaching episodes significantly impact shallow waters, little is known about their impact on mesophotic coral communities. We studied the prevalence of coral bleaching two to three months after a heat stress event, along an extreme depth range from 6 to 90 m in French Polynesia. Bayesian modelling showed a decreasing probability of bleaching of all coral genera over depth, with little to no bleaching observed at lower mesophotic depths (greater than or equal to 60 m). We found that depth-generalist corals benefit more from increasing depth than depth-specialists (corals with a narrow depth range). Our data suggest that the reduced prevalence of bleaching with depth, especially from shallow to upper mesophotic depths (40 m), had a stronger relation with the light-irradiance attenuation than temperature. While acknowledging the geographical and temporal variability of the role of mesophotic reefs as spatial refuges during thermal stress, we ought to understand why coral bleaching reduces with depth. Future studies should consider repeated monitoring and detailed ecophysiological and environmental data. Our study demonstrated how increasing depth may offer a level of protection and that lower mesophotic communities could escape the impacts of a thermal bleaching event.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Pérez-Rosales
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Héloïse Rouzé
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Gergely Torda
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Pim Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Michel Pichon
- Biodiversity Section, Queensland Museum, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | | | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Micaroni V, McAllen R, Turner J, Strano F, Morrow C, Picton B, Harman L, Bell JJ. Vulnerability of Temperate Mesophotic Ecosystems (TMEs) to environmental impacts: Rapid ecosystem changes at Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve, Ireland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:147708. [PMID: 34323821 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Temperate Mesophotic Ecosystems (TMEs) are stable habitats, usually dominated by slow-growing, long-lived sessile invertebrates and sciaphilous algae. Organisms inhabiting TMEs can form complex three-dimensional structures and support many commercially important species. However, TMEs have been poorly studied, with little known about their vulnerability to environmental impacts. Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve (Ireland) supports TMEs in shallower waters (12-40 m) compared with other locations (30-150+ m) as a result of the unusual hydrodynamic conditions. Here, we report changes that have occurred on the sponge-dominated cliffs at Lough Hyne between 1990 and 2019, providing insights into TME long-term stability and vulnerability to environmental impacts. Our main finding was a marked decline in most three-dimensional sponges at the internal sites of the lough. This was likely the result of one or more mass mortality events that occurred between 2010 and 2015. We also found an increase in ascidians, which might have been more tolerant and benefited from the space freed by the sponge mortality. Finally, in the most recent surveys, we found a high abundance of sponge recruits, indicating that a natural recovery may be underway. The possible factors involved in these community changes include eutrophication, increased temperature, and a toxic event due to an anomaly in the oxycline breakdown. However, the absence of comprehensive monitoring of biotic and abiotic variables makes it impossible to identify the cause with certainty. Our Lough Hyne example shows the potential vulnerability of TMEs to short-term disturbance events, highlighting the importance of monitoring these habitats globally to ensure they are appropriately conserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Micaroni
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
| | - Rob McAllen
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
| | - John Turner
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | | | - Bernard Picton
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory, Portaferry BT22 1PF, UK; National Museums Northern Ireland, Cultra BT18 0QE, UK
| | - Luke Harman
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
| | - James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Mesophotic ecosystems (MEs) are characterized by the presence of light-dependent organisms, found at depths ranging from ~30 to 150 m in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions. These communities occasionally create massive reef structures with diverse but characteristic morphologies, which serve as the framework builders of those ecosystems. In many localities, MEs are physically linked with shallow and deep-sea habitats, and while taxa from both environments share this space, a unique and endemic biodiversity is also found. The main MEs studied to date are the mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) and the temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TMEs), which have received increased attention during the last decade. As shallow coral reef ecosystems are among the most threatened habitats on Earth, the potential of MEs to act as refugia and contribute to the resilience of the whole ecosystem has been a subject of scrutiny. New technologies and methods have become more available to study these deeper parts of the reef ecosystems, yielding many new discoveries. However, basic gaps in knowledge remain in our scientific understanding of the global diversity of MEs, limiting our ability to recognize biogeographic patterns and to make educated decisions for the management and conservation of these ecosystems.
Collapse
|