tropical eastern pacific
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Taxonomy ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
D. Wilson Freshwater ◽  
Bo Williamson ◽  
Paul W. Gabrielson ◽  
Margarita Brandt

DNA sequencing of the plastid encoded rbcL gene supported by morpho-anatomical features reveals Gracilaria parva sp. nov. from Panama and Ecuador in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. In the rbcL phylogram, G. parva occurs in a clade sister to the western Atlantic species G. galatensis. Morphologically and anatomically, G. parva is distinguished from two similar, described tropical eastern Pacific species, G. brevis and G. veleroae by its small size, to 2.5 cm tall with branch widths mostly <2 mm occasionally to 4 mm, and by its two to three cell layered cortex. Gracilaria brevis and G. veleroae are taller, have wider branches, and a one cell layered cortex. DNA sequencing is needed to resolve the many diminutive species in the tropical eastern Pacific, particularly those occurring in turf communities. DNA sequencing of historical type specimens from the 19th and 20th centuries is also needed to correctly apply names in this region.


Food Webs ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. e00219
Author(s):  
Diana Medina-Contreras ◽  
Fernando Arenas ◽  
Jaime Cantera-Kintz ◽  
Alberto Sánchez ◽  
Juan-Felipe Lázarus

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Arnés-Urgellés ◽  
Pelayo Salinas-de-León ◽  
Etienne Rastoin-Laplane ◽  
Leandro Vaca-Pita ◽  
Jenifer Suárez-Moncada ◽  
...  

Climatic variability changes ocean productivity and generates systematic cascading effects in marine food webs. Studying the feeding ecology of top predators, such as sharks, can provide insights into the overall health of marine ecosystems. We conducted a 4-year study to evaluate seasonal and inter-annual trophic variations and their relationship with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the largest aggregation of scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP). We used δ13C and δ15N signatures to gain a better understanding of hammerheads’ feeding strategies as well as variations of their isotopic niche. Our results suggest that the hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Marine Reserve respond to climatic fluctuations, with La Niña event potentially benefiting their trophic needs as the overall marine productivity increased in the region. This work is the first of its kind in the TEP and provides insights on how climate variability influences the feeding ecology of this critically endangered species. It also highlights the need to incorporate climate-related conservation strategies into the management of this species since ENSO events become more frequent and intense in the face of climate change.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Pogoreutz ◽  
Eric E. G. Clua ◽  
JOSE DE JESUS ADOLFO TORTOLERO LANGARICA

Abstract Clipperton, an uninhabited and remote coral atoll from the Eastern Pacific, is an important steppingstone area that harbors a high marine biodiversity. Despite its biogeographic importance, little information on the ecological status of its coral reefs is available from the last decade. Herein, we characterized the benthic coral community and health status among four different shallow reef-zones (North to South) of Clipperton during the Tara Pacific expedition in 2018. The benthic composition and coverage percentage, as well as occurrence of a pink-spotted coral phenotype (trematodiasis infection) was assessed. Total live coral cover on Clipperton reefs was 66% (55-85%), differing between sites, with massive Porites and branching Pocillopora corals dominating the benthic community with an average 48% (32-66%), and 15% (3-21%), respectively. While Clipperton reefs exhibited significant live coral cover overall, the trematode infection was commonly observed, with a higher occurrence in massive corals (Porites 27%, and Pavona 31%). This observation is possibly related to the combined effects of previously heatwaves, and local inputs of guano-derived nutrients discharged during storms and hurricanes. These results demonstrates that even highly remote reefs supporting high coral cover can be subjected to local and global threats, including but not limited to parasite prevalence, likely in relation to natural disturbances such as thermal stress and tropical cyclones.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 650
Author(s):  
Juan A. Sánchez ◽  
Fanny L. González-Zapata ◽  
Carlos Prada ◽  
Luisa F. Dueñas

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) develop on a unique environment, where abrupt environmental changes take place. Using a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny (mtDNA: mtMutS), we examined the lineage membership of mesophotic gorgonian corals (Octocorallia: Cnidaria) in comparison to shallow and deep-sea lineages of the wider Caribbean-Gulf of Mexico and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Our results show mesophotic gorgonians originating multiple times from old deep-sea octocoral lineages, whereas shallow-water species comprise younger lineages. The mesophotic gorgonian fauna in the studied areas is related to their zooxanthellate shallow-water counterparts in only two clades (Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae), where the bathymetrical gradient could serve as a driver of diversification. Interestingly, mesophotic clades have diversified faster than either shallow or deep clades. One of this groups with fast diversification is the family Ellisellidae, a major component of the mesophotic gorgonian coral assemblage worldwide.


Check List ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1633-1637
Author(s):  
D. Ross Robertson ◽  
Carol D. Cox ◽  
Robert L. Cox

The well-cataloged marine fish fauna of the Galapagos Islands includes eight of the 12 species of snappers (Lutjanidae) found in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. A recent recreational scuba dive in the Galapagos produced photographs of an additional snapper species, Lutjanus inermis (Peters, 1869), which was sufficiently common as to likely have a recently established resident population.


Check List ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1609-1614
Author(s):  
D. Ross Robertson ◽  
Allison L. Morgan-Estapé ◽  
Carlos J. Estapé

The reef-fish fauna of the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) includes 12 species of surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), five of them in the genus Acanthurus. Recent recreational scuba diving at Isla Darwin in the Galapagos archipelago produced photographs of adults of an additional species of Acanthurus, A. mata (Cuvier, 1829), for which there are no previous records in the TEP. This species may have escaped previous notice due to its semi-pelagic habitat preference and its resemblance to Acanthurus xanthopterus Valenciennes, 1835, which occurs throughout much of the Galapagos.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5068 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-59
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER CRUZ-GÓMEZ

Chrysopetalids annelids have been little studied in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), with only 24 species recorded in the region. Most records are from northwestern Mexico and Costa Rica, leaving many sites along the Tropical Pacific coast of America unexplored. Furthermore, there are species recorded and described from the region with problems in their status, including questionable records, modest illustrations or descriptions, and lost type material. This paper aims to improve the knowledge of this family in the TEP. Almost 290 specimens were revised, provided from five scientific collections, covering 51 sites along the TEP and nearby. Two subfamilies: Calamyzinae and Chrysopetalinae, nine genera and 20 species were determined. Of these, ten species have been previously recorded, three are indeterminable and seven are new species: Paleanotus karlyae n. sp., Arichlidon mucropaleum n. sp., Bhawania bastidai n. sp., Chrysopetalum mexicanum n. sp., C. tovarae n. sp. A new genus is proposed, Bhawatsonia n. gen. which includes two new species, B. fusa n. sp. as its type species, B. nenoae n. sp. and, the new combination and neotype of B. purpurea n. comb. An updated and revised checklist of all chrysopetalids species recorded in the region is included, currently composed of 16 genera, 30 species, and four morphospecies.  


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