Diverse Staghorn Coral Fauna on the Mesophotic Reefs of North-East Australia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117933
• Publication Date: 2015-02-25T18:59:18Z
• Authors: Paul Muir; Carden Wallace; Tom C. L. Bridge; Pim Bongaerts
• Keywords: Acropora; Anthozoa

Concern for the future of reef-building corals in conditions rising sea temperatures combined with recent technological advances has led to a renewed interest documenting biodiversity mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) and their potential provide lineage continuation taxa. Here, we examine species diversity staghorn (genera Acropora Isopora) zone (below 30 m depth) Great Barrier Reef western Coral Sea. Using specimen-based records found 38 zone, including three newly recorded Australia five that only occurred below m. Staghorn became scarce at depths 50 but were growing in-situ 73 depth. Of 76 shallow waters (depth ≤ m) north-east Australia, 21% extended further 22% rarely 40 Extending into provided water no significant advantage terms estimated global range-size relative restricted (means 86.2 X 10(6) km2 85.7 respectively, p = 0.98). We four on previously considered rare endangered basis limited distribution central Indonesia far Pacific. Colonies depth showed laterally flattened branches, light fragile skeletal structure increased spacing between branches corallites. The morphological changes are discussed relation decreased light, movement down-welling coarse sediments. have long been regarded as typical shallow-water genera, here demonstrate contribution this group region's fauna importance considering MCEs reef estimates management.