Diversity, distribution and population size structure of deep Mediterranean gorgonian assemblages (Menorca Channel, Western Mediterranean Sea)
Diversity, distribution and population size structure of deep Mediterranean gorgonian assemblages (Menorca Channel, Western Mediterranean Sea)
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.
42-56
Grinyó, Jordi
7e4812d4-3b7d-484d-9118-c6de78977365
Gori, Andrea
cd3f24d6-17c4-41c0-a39c-254a3d6aa0b1
Ambroso, Stefano
1c8236e2-dd92-44c1-895d-6e6b3c26e2a7
Purroy, Ariadna
845c8004-7673-443c-9b59-4ef4bcc4e6b4
Calatayud, Clara
fe976f1a-fd74-4b18-a8c1-bc7ef904e940
Dominguez-Carrió, Carlos
b041df34-f4e3-420b-81f7-d3e8550a9a7d
Coppari, Martina
dd98530d-a418-423f-bf85-9da84d2bc5a4
Lo Iaconp, Claudio
9d4e0f39-dc93-4032-9c8d-a94ccb7b2bb3
López-González, Pablo J.
dd4798f2-9400-44ad-96ba-29facfa1cea3
Gili, Josep-Maria
a293c70a-556c-480a-927a-d9b46e21290d
June 2016
Grinyó, Jordi
7e4812d4-3b7d-484d-9118-c6de78977365
Gori, Andrea
cd3f24d6-17c4-41c0-a39c-254a3d6aa0b1
Ambroso, Stefano
1c8236e2-dd92-44c1-895d-6e6b3c26e2a7
Purroy, Ariadna
845c8004-7673-443c-9b59-4ef4bcc4e6b4
Calatayud, Clara
fe976f1a-fd74-4b18-a8c1-bc7ef904e940
Dominguez-Carrió, Carlos
b041df34-f4e3-420b-81f7-d3e8550a9a7d
Coppari, Martina
dd98530d-a418-423f-bf85-9da84d2bc5a4
Lo Iaconp, Claudio
9d4e0f39-dc93-4032-9c8d-a94ccb7b2bb3
López-González, Pablo J.
dd4798f2-9400-44ad-96ba-29facfa1cea3
Gili, Josep-Maria
a293c70a-556c-480a-927a-d9b46e21290d
Grinyó, Jordi, Gori, Andrea, Ambroso, Stefano, Purroy, Ariadna, Calatayud, Clara, Dominguez-Carrió, Carlos, Coppari, Martina, Lo Iaconp, Claudio, López-González, Pablo J. and Gili, Josep-Maria
(2016)
Diversity, distribution and population size structure of deep Mediterranean gorgonian assemblages (Menorca Channel, Western Mediterranean Sea).
Progress in Oceanography, 145, .
(doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2016.05.001).
Abstract
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.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 9 May 2016
Published date: June 2016
Organisations:
Marine Geoscience
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 399095
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/399095
ISSN: 0079-6611
PURE UUID: c136ec4c-8e66-43af-8704-859579d4f23c
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 04 Aug 2016 10:19
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 01:45
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Jordi Grinyó
Author:
Andrea Gori
Author:
Stefano Ambroso
Author:
Ariadna Purroy
Author:
Clara Calatayud
Author:
Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
Author:
Martina Coppari
Author:
Claudio Lo Iaconp
Author:
Pablo J. López-González
Author:
Josep-Maria Gili
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics