2024-03-28T11:59:57Zhttp://digital.csic.es/dspace-oai/requestoai:digital.csic.es:10261/1346912021-06-15T09:36:35Zcom_10261_123com_10261_8col_10261_376
Diversity, distribution and population size structure of deep Mediterranean gorgonian assemblages (Menorca Channel, Western Mediterranean Sea)
Grinyó, Jordi
Gori, Andrea
Ambroso, Stefano
Purroy, Ariadna
Calatayud, Clara
Dominguez-Carrió, Carlos
Coppari, Martina
Lo Iacono, Claudio
López-González, Pablo J.
Gili, Josep Maria
European Commission
15 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables, 1 appendix supplementary data https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2016.05.001
Gorgonians are a key group of organisms in benthic marine communities with a wide bathymetric and geographical distribution. Although their presence on continental shelves and slopes has been known for more than 100 years, knowledge concerning the ecology of deep gorgonian species is still in a very preliminary stage. To overcome this situation, gorgonian assemblages located at 40–360 m depth were studied over a large geographical area on the continental shelf and upper slope of the Menorca Channel (Western Mediterranean Sea). A quantitative analysis of video transects recorded by a manned submersible and a remotely operated vehicle, were used to examine the diversity, distribution and demography of gorgonian species. Results showed high gorgonian diversity within this depth range (a total of nine species were observed) compared to Mediterranean coastal areas. Gorgonian assemblages on the continental shelf and upper slope were mostly monospecific (respectively 73% and 76% of occupied sampling units contained one single species), whereas shelf edge assemblages were highly multispecific (92% of occupied sampling units contained several species). This contrasts with the monospecificity of Mediterranean coastal gorgonian assemblages. Gorgonian populations on the continental shelf were mostly dominated by small colonies (88% of measured colonies) with few intermediate and large colonies (12% of measured colonies). In deeper areas small colonies were still dominant (60% of measured colonies), but intermediate and large colonies were much more abundant (40% of measured colonies). This suggests high recruitment rates on the continental shelf, but perturbations (trammel nets, long lines and strong storms) may limit the presence of intermediate and large colonies. Conversely, on the shelf edge and upper slope a more stable environment may allow colonies to reach larger dimensions. The identification and ecological characterization of these deep assemblages further extends the current knowledge about Mediterranean gorgonians, and is fundamental in improving the management and conservation of deep benthic ecosystems
2016-07-12T08:56:00Z
2016-07-12T08:56:00Z
2016-06
2016-07-12T08:56:00Z
artículo
Progress in Oceanography 145: 42-56 (2016)
http://hdl.handle.net/10261/134691
10.1016/j.pocean.2016.05.001
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000780
eng
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2016.05.001
Sí
closedAccess
Elsevier