Title: MESOPHOTIC CORAL REEF FISH COMMUNITIES IN THE CENTER OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Abstract: Philippines coral reefs are known for their extremely high biodiversity. However, most of the information available for the area comes exclusively from shallow reefs, with very few data published on Philippines' mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs, 30-150m depth). Here we describe the MCE fish community of three sites of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines, the center of the center of global marine biodiversity. Sampling was done using trimix (a breathing mix containing helium, nitrogen, and oxygen) closed-circuit rebreather diving. Data was obtained from 20 underwater visual censuses at depths between 45 and 105 meters. A total of 22 families and 87 species were recorded, with an average (SE) of 9.9 (0.9) species and 47 .7 (11.7) individuals per 40 m2. The richest families were Labridae (16 species), Serranidae (12), Pomacentridae (11), Pomacanthidae (8) and Chaetodontidae (6). Both richness and density of fishes decreased significantly with depth. Community composition also changed with depth: the most abundant fishes of the upper MCE zone (45-70m) were Chromis analis, Pseudanthias luzonensis, Pterocaesio pisang and Naso minor. Dominant fishes of the lower MCE zone (70-105m) were Paracaesio sordidus, Genicanthus melanospilus, Pseudanthias engelhardi and Genicanthus lamarck. Although some commercial species and sharks were recorded, signs of overfishing and habitat degradation were also observed, and in some sites the bottom was covered in abandoned broken fishing lines. Since most people don't know these diverse ecosystems exist and they sit outside marine protected areas, research and an education campaign are necessary to better understand and protected them.

Authors: Pinheiro HT, Shepherd B, Greene B, Jessup E, Rocha LA

Presentation: Oral

Session: 29

Date: 06/22/16

Time: 17:30

Location: 308 A/B

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