Experimental evidence for reduced mortality of Agaricia lamarcki on a mesophotic reef. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laverick, Jack H.; Rogers, Alex D.
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 134(2018)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Mesophotic -- Coral -- Deep reef refuge -- Survival -- Transplants -- Agaricia lamarcki; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.12.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) may act as a refuge for impacted shallow reefs as some of the stressors affecting tropical reefs attenuate with depth. A less impacted population at depth could provide recruits to recolonise shallow reefs. Recently, disturbance has been reported on several mesophotic reefs including storm damage, biological invasions, and coral bleaching; calling into question the extent of deep reef refuges. We report on a reciprocal transplant experiment between shallow and mesophotic reefs in the Caribbean, which occurred during a period of coral bleaching. 102 fragments of Agaricia lamarcki were collected down a continuous depth gradient at two sites to a maximum depth of 60m. Fragments were transplanted to either a shallow or mesophotic station at a third site, with controls. This allowed the disaggregation of the effect of the disturbance experienced during the observation period, and any potential acclimation resulting from the historical location of a fragment. Mortality and bleaching were quantitatively assessed. We found the relocation depth of a coral fragment had the strongest effect on both survival and the degree of bleaching recorded. The site a fragment was collected from, and the original collection depth, failed to explain mortality or bleaching with statistical significance. This experiment provides support for the assumption that mesophotic corals may be protected in comparison to shallow reefs, in spite of the potential effects of differing susceptibilities to stress. Highlights: Agaricia lamarcki fragments transplanted to mesophotic depths had a lower chance of death. Agaricia lamarcki fragments transplanted to shallow depths were more likely to be bleached. Site or depth of initial Fragment collection did not affect our findings.