Title: MESOPHOTIC CORALS OF NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA: INITIAL ESTIMATES OF THE POTENTIAL FOR DEEP-REFUGE

Abstract: Northeast Australia has a rich diversity of coral reef systems that includes the Great Barrier Reef and atolls of the western Coral Sea. While the shallow reefs are relatively well studied in the region, mesophotic coral communities (>30-40 m depth) are not well documented. Here we present results obtained from the study of a large coral collection compiled over eight expeditions from 2007 to 2014 that used deep diving, remotely operated vehicles and dredge sampling to investigate the mesophotic zone. The collection, housed at the Queensland Museum Townsville, includes at least 59 genera and 165 species (including five potential new species), with 93% of species depth generalists (occurring in both shallow and mesophotic zones) and 7% restricted to the mesophotic zone. Approximately 28% of the depth generalist species were only rarely observed in the mesophotic zone and the possible origins and significance of these records are discussed. Recent studies suggest a relatively large area of mesophotic coral habitats in the GBR region, and while our sampling effort was relatively small, these initial results suggest that the mesophotic zone has potential for providing deep-refuge for up to 37% of shallow-reef coral species in the region. Further work on the ecology, reproduction, physiology and phylogenetics of these species are urgently required to assess the potential for deep-refuge as the shallow reefs of the region are widely predicted to be subjected to increased coral bleaching and damage from tropical storms in coming decades.

Authors: Muir PR, Wallace CC, Pichon M, Bridge TC, Englebert N, Bongaerts P

Presentation: Oral

Session: 29

Date: 06/21/16

Time: 15:30

Location: 308 A/B

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