scholarly journals Species identity and depth predict bleaching severity in reef-building corals: shall the deep inherit the reef?

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1864) ◽  
pp. 20171551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Muir ◽  
Paul A. Marshall ◽  
Ameer Abdulla ◽  
J. David Aguirre
Keyword(s):  
Coral Cover ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
Bleaching Event ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Resistant Species ◽  
Repeated Events ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Reef Recovery

Mass bleaching associated with unusually high sea temperatures represents one of the greatest threats to corals and coral reef ecosystems. Deeper reef areas are hypothesized as potential refugia, but the susceptibility of Scleractinian species over depth has not been quantified. During the most severe bleaching event on record, we found up to 83% of coral cover severely affected on Maldivian reefs at a depth of 3–5 m, but significantly reduced effects at 24–30 m. Analysis of 153 species' responses showed depth, shading and species identity had strong, significant effects on susceptibility. Overall, 73.3% of the shallow-reef assemblage had individuals at a depth of 24–30 m with reduced effects, potentially mitigating local extinction and providing a source of recruits for population recovery. Although susceptibility was phylogenetically constrained, species-level effects caused most lineages to contain some partially resistant species. Many genera showed wide variation between species, including Acropora, previously considered highly susceptible. Extinction risk estimates showed species and lineages of concern and those likely to dominate following repeated events. Our results show that deeper reef areas provide refuge for a large proportion of Scleractinian species during severe bleaching events and that the deepest occurring individuals of each population have the greatest potential to survive and drive reef recovery.

scholarly journals Nitrogen enrichment in macroalgae following mass coral mortality

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor J. Vaughan ◽  
Shaun K. Wilson ◽  
Samantha J. Howlett ◽  
Valeriano Parravicini ◽  
Gareth J. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Mass Mortality ◽  
Transplant Experiment ◽  
Bleaching Event ◽  
Coral Mortality ◽  
Absolute Increase ◽  
Inorganic Matter

AbstractScleractinian corals are engineers on coral reefs that provide both structural complexity as habitat and sustenance for other reef-associated organisms via the release of organic and inorganic matter. However, coral reefs are facing multiple pressures from climate change and other stressors, which can result in mass coral bleaching and mortality events. Mass mortality of corals results in enhanced release of organic matter, which can cause significant alterations to reef biochemical and recycling processes. There is little known about how long these nutrients are retained within the system, for instance, within the tissues of other benthic organisms. We investigated changes in nitrogen isotopic signatures (δ15N) of macroalgal tissues (a) ~ 1 year after a bleaching event in the Seychelles and (b) ~ 3 months after the peak of a bleaching event in Mo’orea, French Polynesia. In the Seychelles, there was a strong association between absolute loss in both total coral cover and branching coral cover and absolute increase in macroalgal δ15N between 2014 and 2017 (adjusted r2 = 0.79, p = 0.004 and adjusted r2 = 0.86, p = 0.002, respectively). In Mo’orea, a short-term transplant experiment found a significant increase in δ15N in Sargassum mangarevense after specimens were deployed on a reef with high coral mortality for ~ 3 weeks (p < 0.05). We suggest that coral-derived nutrients can be retained within reef nutrient cycles, and that this can affect other reef-associated organisms over both short- and long-term periods, especially opportunistic species such as macroalgae. These species could therefore proliferate on reefs that have experienced mass mortality events, because they have been provided with both space and nutrient subsidies by the death and decay of corals.

scholarly journals Assessing population collapse of Drupella spp. (Mollusca: Gastropoda) 2 years after a coral bleaching event in the Republic of Maldives

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Saponari ◽  
I. Dehnert ◽  
P. Galli ◽  
S. Montano
Keyword(s):  
Coral Bleaching ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Bleaching Event ◽  
Coral Recovery ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Line Intercept

AbstractCorallivory causes considerable damage to coral reefs and can exacerbate other disturbances. Among coral predators, Drupella spp. are considered as delayer of coral recovery in the Republic of Maldives, although little information is available on their ecology. Thus, we aimed to assess their population structure, feeding behaviour and spatial distribution around 2 years after a coral bleaching event in 2016. Biological and environmental data were collected using belt and line intercept transects in six shallow reefs in Maldives. The snails occurred in aggregations with a maximum of 62 individuals and exhibited a preference for branching corals. Yet, the gastropods showed a high plasticity in adapting feeding preferences to prey availability. Drupella spp. were homogenously distributed in the study area with an average of 9.04 ± 19.72 ind/200 m2. However, their occurrence was significantly different at the reef scale with the highest densities found in locations with higher coral cover. The impact of Drupella spp. appeared to be minimal with the population suffering from the loss of coral cover. We suggest that monitoring programs collect temporal- and spatial-scale data on non-outbreaking populations or non-aggregating populations to understand the dynamics of predation related to the co-occurrence of anthropogenic and natural impacts.

scholarly journals KEPADATAN MEGABENTOS PADA EKOSISTEM TERUMBU KARANG DI PERAIRAN DESA PERLANG BANGKA TENGAH, BANGKA BELITUNG

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-177
Author(s):  
Arham Hafidh Akbar ◽  
Sudirman Adibrata ◽  
Wahyu Adi
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Tridacna Maxima ◽  
Belt Transect ◽  
Tridacna Gigas ◽  
Drupella Cornus ◽  
Diadema Setosum

This study aims to analyze the density of megabenthos in coral reef ecosystems in the waters of Perlang Village. This research was conducted in November 2019 in the waters of Perlang Village with the megabentos data collection method using the Bentos Belt Transect (BBT) method based on COREMAP CTI LIPI (2017) with 5 data collection stations. The results found 603 individuals consisting of 9 species from 4 megabenthos families in coral reef ecosystems. Species found at the study site are Diadema setosum, Diadema antillarium (Familli Deadematidae), Drupella cornus, Drupella rugosa (Family Murcidae), Trochus sp, Trochus conus, Tectus pyramis (Family Trochidae), Tridacna gigas, and Tridacna maxima (Family Tridacnidae) . The highest attendance percentage of all stations was obtained by Diadema setosum of 47.93% (289 people). Percentage of live coral cover from 5 observation stations ranged from 57.44% - 91.78%. Observation pensions that received the highest percentage of cover values ​​were at pension 2 with 91.78% in the very good category.

Recovery of an Isolated Coral Reef System Following Severe Disturbance

Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 340 (6128) ◽  
pp. 69-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Gilmour ◽  
Luke D. Smith ◽  
Andrew J. Heyward ◽  
Andrew H. Baird ◽  
Morgan S. Pratchett
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Reef System ◽  
Reef Recovery ◽  
Rates Of Growth ◽  
North Western ◽  
Severe Disturbance

Coral reef recovery from major disturbance is hypothesized to depend on the arrival of propagules from nearby undisturbed reefs. Therefore, reefs isolated by distance or current patterns are thought to be highly vulnerable to catastrophic disturbance. We found that on an isolated reef system in north Western Australia, coral cover increased from 9% to 44% within 12 years of a coral bleaching event, despite a 94% reduction in larval supply for 6 years after the bleaching. The initial increase in coral cover was the result of high rates of growth and survival of remnant colonies, followed by a rapid increase in juvenile recruitment as colonies matured. We show that isolated reefs can recover from major disturbance, and that the benefits of their isolation from chronic anthropogenic pressures can outweigh the costs of limited connectivity.

scholarly journals Colobopsis explodens sp. n., model species for studies on “exploding ants” (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with biological notes and first illustrations of males of the Colobopsis cylindrica group

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 751 ◽  
pp. 1-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Laciny ◽  
Herbert Zettel ◽  
Alexey Kopchinskiy ◽  
Carina Pretzer ◽  
Anna Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Mandibular Gland ◽  
Species Group ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Taxonomic Description ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

A taxonomic description of all castes of Colobopsisexplodens Laciny &amp; Zettel, sp. n. from Borneo, Thailand, and Malaysia is provided, which serves as a model species for biological studies on “exploding ants” in Southeast Asia. The new species is a member of the Colobopsiscylindrica (COCY) group and falls into a species complex that has been repeatedly summarized under the name Colobopsissaundersi (Emery, 1889) (formerly Camponotussaundersi). The COCY species group is known under its vernacular name “exploding ants” for a unique behaviour: during territorial combat, workers of some species sacrifice themselves by rupturing their gaster and releasing sticky and irritant contents of their hypertrophied mandibular gland reservoirs to kill or repel rivals. This study includes first illustrations and morphometric characterizations of males of the COCY group: Colobopsisexplodens Laciny &amp; Zettel, sp. n. and Colobopsisbadia (Smith, 1857). Characters of male genitalia and external morphology are compared with other selected taxa of Camponotini. Preliminary notes on the biology of C.explodens Laciny &amp; Zettel, sp. n. are provided. To fix the species identity of the closely related C.badia, a lectotype from Singapore is designated. The following taxonomic changes within the C.saundersi complex are proposed: Colobopsissolenobia (Menozzi, 1926), syn. n. and Colobopsistrieterica (Menozzi, 1926), syn. n. are synonymized with Colobopsiscorallina Roger, 1863, a common endemic species of the Philippines. Colobopsissaginata Stitz, 1925, stat. n., hitherto a subspecies of C.badia, is raised to species level.

scholarly journals Coral Reef Recovery in the Mexican Caribbean after 2005 Mass Coral Mortality—Potential Drivers

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
Xochitl E. Elías Ilosvay ◽  
Ameris I. Contreras-Silva ◽  
Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip ◽  
Christian Wild
Keyword(s):  
Coral Cover ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Coral Mortality ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Mexican Caribbean ◽  
Algae Growth ◽  
Reef Recovery ◽  
Coral Recovery

In 2005, an extreme heatwave hit the Wider Caribbean, followed by 13 hurricanes (including hurricanes Emily and Wilma) that caused significant loss in hard coral cover. However, the drivers of the potential recovery are yet to be fully understood. Based on recent findings in the literature of coral cover recovery in the Mexican Caribbean after the mass bleaching event and associated hurricanes in 2005, this study analyzed, through random-effects meta-analysis, the hard coral and macroalgae benthic development and potential drivers of change between 2005 and 2016 in the Mexican Caribbean. Therefore, we tested the relative effect of sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a water concentration, coastal human population development, reef distance to shore, and geographical location on both hard coral and macroalgae cover over time. Findings revealed increases of both hard coral (by 6%) and algae cover (by ca. 14%, i.e., almost three times the increase of corals) over 12 years. Although our findings confirm the partial coral recovery after the 2005 Caribbean mass coral mortality event, they also indicate rapid colonization of algae across the region. Surprisingly, only SST correlated negatively with changes in coral cover. Contrary to expectations, there was a significantly greater algae cover increase in the Central section of the Mexican Caribbean, which is characterized by a low population density. However, a constant discharge of nutrient-rich freshwater may have facilitated algae growth there. This study reports partial regional reef recovery, but it also indicates that local factors, particularly eutrophication, facilitate algae growth at a speed that is much faster than coral recovery.

scholarly journals Results from a conservation initiative for parrotfishes in the Colombian Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana López-Angarita ◽  
María del Pilar Restrepo Orjuela ◽  
Katherine Guzmán Peña ◽  
Dairo Escobar
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Fish Community Structure ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reef

AbstractParrotfish (Family Scaridae) are a family of herbivorous fishes crucial to coral reef health, particularly for Caribbean reefs due to their declining coral cover. However, despite parrotfish are fully protected in some countries, they are still heavy fished in most of their Caribbean range. The consequences of this targeted fishery in the Colombian Caribbean are not fully understood due to a lack of local conservation and management resources. This research aimed to evaluate and enhance the conservation status and protection of parrotfish among local communities in the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo. Underwater visual census surveys (UVC) were undertaken to evaluate reef fish community structure, and participatory education campaigns and activities were carried out with local communities to raise awareness about parrotfish ecology and their functional role in conserving Caribbean coral reef ecosystems of Colombia. UVC showed parrotfish to be dominant in the fish community, yet there was evidence of exploitation of large adults by selective fishing. Conflicts exist between the community and environmental authorities because fishing regulations are not clear, and the level of enforcement is insufficient. Parrotfish are sold to tourists, as ‘red snapper’ to fulfil high seafood demand since commercially valuable fish are now scarce. However, following intensive awareness-raising activities developed as part of this study, the community has started to recognize the vital ecological role of parrotfish in coral reef systems, and are suggesting a redrafting of fishing legislation by the environmental authorities, in order to recognise and incorporate the traditional fishing rights of human communities living within the MPA. Lobbying for the protection of parrotfish and inclusion of local communities in decision-making will take time, but this research represents the crucial first steps towards sustainable practice and cooperative alliances in the Colombian Caribbean.

scholarly journals Condition of coral reef in Batee Island waters, Peukan Bada Sub-District, Aceh Besar

DEPIK ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-119
Author(s):  
Maria Ulfah ◽  
Saiful Mahlil ◽  
Muhammad Nasir ◽  
Sayyid Afdhal El Rahimi ◽  
Syahrul Purnawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Average Condition ◽  
Line Intercept

Batee Island is one of the small islands in the Aceh Besar region and is uninhabited and directly faces the Indian Ocean. Batee Island's waters have the potential for marine biota, especially coral reef ecosystems, and other associated biotas. This study aims to determine the percentage and comparison of live coral cover in Batee Island waters and determine the genus' composition in Batee Island waters. This research was conducted in October-November 2016. Collecting coral reef data using the LIT (Line Intercept Transect) method. The results showed that the live coral cover in Batee Island's waters differed between the East and West Batee Islands. The coral reefs' average condition in Batee Island waters at shallow depths (0-5m) is 41.41%, and deep (6-10m) is 36.52%. Overall, the conditions and live coral cover in the waters of Batee Island are classified as moderate. In the waters of Batee Island, there are 31 coral genera. The highest percentage of corals was the genus Acropora (50.02%).Keywords:Batee IslandConditionCoral reefCoral cover

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