New octocoral records for the Ecuadorian Tropical Eastern Pacific

Vergara-Florez, Diana Carolina; Abad, Rubén; Jaramillo, Karla B.; Rodrı́guez, Jenny; Sarmiento, Adriana; Sánchez, Juan A.

doi:10.1080/00222933.2022.2063081

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Such behavior could be associated with its growth, as most of them were observed inhabiting crevices associating them with cryptic species Vergara-Florez (in press.) [47,48]. This assumption contrasts with the latter study by Hickman, who stated that octocorals have a wide range of colonization niches and are not limited to shallow waters [49], as many of them thrive under rocks, in ledges, and in caves where sunlight is absent or minimal.…”

Section: Distribution Of the Three Targeted Speciesmentioning

confidence: 90%

Octocoral Distribution Patterns at the Equatorial Front (Tropical Eastern Pacific): Muricea and Leptogorgia

Abad

Jaramillo

Castro-Rodas

et al. 2022

Oceans

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The Equatorial Front, in the southern part of the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) region, has been characterized as a hotspot of functional biodiversity due to the mixing of warm and cold waters. Nevertheless, the biogeographic patterns for some organisms, such as octocorals, remain unknown in some coastal regions. Therefore, we aimed to assess the distribution of two common octocoral genera in this area, Muricea and Leptogorgia, including 14 species based on museum specimen records, along the mainland coast of Ecuador. Statistical analyses were performed on the environmental and geographical patterns (Sea Surface Temperature (SST), bathymetry, chlorophyll (CHL-a), and Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR)) that influence the Equatorial Front, which is subdivided into five biogeographic regions. Our results showed two hotspots of octocoral biodiversity. The SST was found to be the main environmental factor related to octocoral distribution along the Equatorial Front. Finally, the highest abundance of Muricea over Leptogorgia suggests the former species’ higher resilience to thermal fluctuations. We discuss the possible role of substrates at suitable depths, active photosynthetic radiation, and temperature in the occurrence of octocorals in the two hotspots.

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Section: Distribution Of the Three Targeted Speciesmentioning

confidence: 90%