Coral biodiversity and bio-construction in the northern sector of the mesoamerican reef system

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza, Fabián Alejandro; Arias‐González, Jesús Ernesto

doi:10.3389/fmars.2015.00013

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Sand does not permit the recruitment and development of corals because it is an unstable substrate. For this reason, a high cover of sandy substrate is associated with small reefs, low live coral cover and poor topographical complexity (Rodríguez-Zaragoza and Arias-González 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Corals are the main bioengineers of the reefs through their functionality (morphology of the colonies) and continuous accumulation of carbonates, by which they create tridimensional habitats for the associated fauna (Bellwood et al 2004). Corals thus contribute to the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat, increasing biodiversity by providing resources such as substrates, refuges, nurseries and food for associated vertebrates and invertebrates (Hermosillo-Nuñez et al 2015, Rodríguez-Zaragoza andArias-González 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Multi-scale analysis of hermatypic coral assemblages at Mexican Central Pacific

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary:The Mexican Central Pacific is located in a zone of oceanographic transition between two biogeographic provinces with particular conditions that affect the associated fauna. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of hermatypic coral assemblages in this region and to determine their relationship with the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat and spatial variables. A total of 156 transects were carried out at 41 sites in the years 2010 and 2011. The sampling effort returned 96.7% of the coral richness expected for the area, with a total of 15 species recorded. The results showed that richness, diversity and cover of corals varied only at the site and state scales. However, the composition and coverage of all coral species, as well as the benthonic habitat structure, differed significantly across the study scales (i.e. sites, zones and states). Canonical redundancy analysis showed that variation in the richness, diversity and assemblages of corals was explained by the cover of live corals, articulated calcareous algae, sandy substrate, sponges and fleshy macroalgae. This study suggests that local scale (i.e. site) variation in the coral assemblages of the Mexican Central Pacific is the result of the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat, while geomorphological and oceanographic characteristics play a greater role at regional scale.Keywords: hermatypic coral assemblages; spatial variation; community ecology; Mexican Central Pacific; benthonic habitat structure Análisis multiescala de las comunidades de coral hermatípico del Pacífico Central MexicanoResumen: El Pacífico Central Mexicano se localiza en una zona de transición oceanográfica entre dos provincias biogeográ-ficas con condiciones ambientales particulares que afectan la fauna asociada. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la variación de las comunidades de coral hermatípico de esta región y determinar su relación con la heterogeneidad del hábitat bentónico y variables espaciales. Se realizaron 156 transectos en 41 sitios en los años 2010 y 2011. El esfuerzo de muestreo representó el 96.7% de la riqueza de coral esperada para el área, con un total de 15 especies registradas. Los resultados mostraron que la riqueza, diversidad y cobertura de corales variaron sólo en las escalas de sitio y de estado. En cambio, la composición y cobertura de todas las especies de coral, así como la estructura del hábitat bentónico, fueron significativamente diferentes en todas las escalas estudiadas (i.e. sitio, zona y estado). Los análisis de redundancia canónica mostraron que la variación de la riqueza, diversidad y de las comunidades de corales eran explicadas por la cobertura de coral vivo, algas calcáreas articuladas, sustrato arenoso, esponjas y macroalgas carnosas. Este trabajo sugiere que la variación de las comunidades de coral en el Pacífico Central Mexicano a escala local (i.e. sitio) se debe a la heterogeneidad del hábitat bentónico, mientras que a escala regional, las características geomorfológicas y oceanográficas desempeñan un papel má...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-scale analysis of hermatypic coral assemblages at Mexican Central Pacific

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Álvarez-Filip et al 2009, Carriquiry et al 2013, Rodríguez-Zaragoza and Arias-González 2015. In this study, we evaluate the changes in diversity, structure and composition of coral assemblages during the period from 2006 to 2012, shortly after two Category 5 hurricanes (Emily and Wilma) hit the area in 2005.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Acropora palmata) or massive growth (Orbicella spp.) support the functions of structural complexity and accretion, which in turn promote the stability and diversity of other species in these ecosystems Precht 2001, Rodríguez-Zaragoza andArias-González 2015). It is possible that changes in the abundance of some key species have consequences in the architectural complexity of coral reefs and thus in the ecosystem functioning, even if the overall coral cover remains stable (Green et al 2008, Álvarez-Filip et al 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal variations of live coral cover in the northern Mesoamerican Reef System, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Barranco-Servin¹,

Carriquiry²,

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza³

et al. 2016

Sci. Mar.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary:Evaluating the response of coral assemblages to different disturbances is important because variations in species composition may have consequences for ecosystem functioning due to their different functional roles in coral reefs. This study evaluates changes in diversity, structure and composition of coral assemblages of the coral reefs of two national parks in the northern sector of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System spanning the period from 2006 to 2012, just after the impact of two hurricanes in the area. Coral assemblages in the Cancún National Park included fewer species and lower live coral coverage (<15%) than those recorded in Cozumel. In the Cancún National Park, the species with the highest coral cover was Porites astreoides (more than 40% relative cover), and no significant temporal changes were observed in live coral cover and species composition. On the other hand, in the Cozumel National Park the dominant species were Agaricia agaricites, Siderastrea siderea and Porites astreoides, and the coral reefs showed an increase in live coral cover from 16% in 2006 to 29% in 2012. The dynamics of coral assemblages differed between the two parks: while there is an apparent stability in the current composition of the Cancún reefs, the Cozumel reefs show an increase in the abundance of the aforementioned dominant species. However, it is possible that the population characteristics of the species that dominate the coral assemblages in both national parks, such as those of fast population growth and of small colony size, do not entirely fulfill the main function of accretion and habitat heterogeneity, and more research is therefore needed to test this hypothesis.Keywords: coral assemblages; resilience; ecosystem functioning; coral reefs; Caribbean; Mexico. Variación espacio-temporal de la cobertura de coral del norte del Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano, Península de Yucatán, MéxicoResumen: Evaluar la respuesta de las comunidades de coral a diferentes perturbaciones es importante ya que las variaciones en la composición de las especies pueden tener consecuencias en el funcionamiento del ecosistema, debido a los diferentes roles funcionales que cada especie tiene dentro de él. En este estudio se evaluaron los cambios en la diversidad, estructura y composición de las comunidades en los arrecifes de dos Parques Nacionales ubicados en el sector norte del Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano, durante el periodo 2006-2012, justo después del impacto de dos huracanes en la zona. En el Parque Nacional Cancún se registraron pocas especies de coral y una cobertura de coral vivo baja (<15%) sin cambios temporales significativos; la especie más dominante en este parque fue Porites astreoides con más del 40% de cobertura relativa. Por otro lado, los arrecifes de coral del Parque Nacional de Cozumel mostraron un incremento en la cobertura de coral del 16% en 2006 a 29% en 2012; las especies dominantes, y que incrementaron su cobertura en este periodo, fueron Agaricia agaricites, Siderastrea siderea y P. astreoides. Aunque ...

show abstract

“…reef geomorphology, number of holes or availability of shelter, rugosity-flattening and depth) (e.g. Rodríguez-Zaragoza et al 2011, Alvarez-Filip et al 2011, Rodríguez-Zaragoza and Arias-González 2015. In particular, some authors consider that a strong relationship exists between fish fauna and corals in terms of live coral cover (LCC), such that increased variation in coral species can support high abundance and richness in fish assemblages (Adjeroud et al 1998, Arias-González et al 2008, Acosta-González et al 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral reef fish assemblages at Clipperton Atoll (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and their relationship with coral cover

Ricart¹,

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza

González‐Salas

et al. 2016

Sci. Mar.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary: Clipperton Atoll, one of the most isolated coral reefs worldwide, is of great scientific interest due to its geomorphology and high levels of endemism. This study explored the reef fish assemblage structure of Clipperton Atoll and its relationship with live coral cover. Nine stations were sampled at three sites and three depths (6, 12 and 20 m) around the reef, measuring fish species richness and biomass and hermatypic coral cover (at genus level). We evaluated variation in species richness, biomass and diversity of fish assemblages among sites and depths, as well as the relationship between the entire fish assemblage composition and live coral cover. The results showed that species richness and biomass were similar among sites, but differed across depths, increasing with depth. In contrast, diversity differed among sites but not among depths. Multivariate analyses indicated that fish assemblage composition differed among sites and depths in relation to changes in cover of coral of the genera Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona and Leptoseris, which dominate at different depths. The results showed that fish species richness and diversity were low at Clipperton Atoll and that, in isolated coral reefs with a low habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance, live coral cover has a significant influence on the spatial variation of the reef fish assemblages. This study highlights the importance of coral habitat structure in shaping coral reef fish assemblages.Keywords: species-habitat interaction; reef fish diversity; spatial variation; habitat structure. Comunidades de peces del atolón de Clipperton (Pacífico oriental tropical) y su relación con la cobertura de coralesResumen: El atolón de Clipperton, uno de los arrecifes de coral más aislados del mundo, presenta un gran interés científico por su geomorfología y endemismo. Este estudio analizó la estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife de este atolón y su relación con la cobertura de coral vivo. Para ello se muestrearon nueve estaciones alrededor del arrecife en tres sitios a tres profundidades (6, 12, 20 m), registrando, la riqueza y biomasa de peces, así como la cobertura de coral hermatípico a nivel de género. Se evaluó la variación de la riqueza, biomasa y diversidad de peces entre sitios y profundidades, así como la relación de la composición y biomasa de peces con la cobertura de coral vivo. Los resultados mostraron que la riqueza y biomasa fueron similares entre los sitios, pero diferentes entre profundidades, ya que incrementan con la profundidad. En contraste, la diversidad difirió entre sitios pero no entre profundidades. Los análisis multidimensionales indicaron que la comunidad de peces fue diferente entre sitios y profundidades, relacionándolo con la cobertura de coral de los géneros Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona y Leptoseris, que dominan a distinta profundidad. Los resultados evidenciaron una baja riqueza y diversidad de peces arrecifales en el atolón de Clipperton. En arrecifes de coral aislados, con baja heterogeneidad de hábitats y po...

show abstract

Coral biodiversity and bio-construction in the northern sector of the mesoamerican reef system

Cited by 21 publications

References 41 publications

Multi-scale analysis of hermatypic coral assemblages at Mexican Central Pacific

Multi-scale analysis of hermatypic coral assemblages at Mexican Central Pacific

Spatiotemporal variations of live coral cover in the northern Mesoamerican Reef System, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Coral reef fish assemblages at Clipperton Atoll (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and their relationship with coral cover

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About