Madrepora oculata forms large frameworks in hypoxic waters off Angola (SE Atlantic)

Type Article
Date 2021-07
Language English
Author(s) Orejas Covadonga1, 2, Wienberg Claudia2, Titschack Jürgen2, 3, Tamborrino Leonardo2, Freiwald André2, 3, Hebbeln Dierk2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón (IEO, CSIC), Avenida Príncipe de Asturias 70 bis, 33212, Gijón, Spain
2 : MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359, Bremen, Germany
3 : Senckenberg am Meer, Südstrand 40, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Source Scientific Reports (2045-2322) (Springer Science and Business Media LLC), 2021-07 , Vol. 11 , N. 1 , P. 15170 (13p.)
DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-94579-6
WOS© Times Cited 12
Abstract

This study aims to map the occurrence and distribution of Madrepora oculata and to quantify density and colony sizes across recently discovered coral mounds off Angola. Despite the fact that the Angolan populations of M. oculata thrive under extreme hypoxic conditions within the local oxygen minimum zone, they reveal colonies with remarkable heights of up to 1250 mm—which are the tallest colonies ever recorded for this species—and average densities of 0.53 ± 0.37 (SD) colonies m−2. This is particularly noteworthy as these values are comparable to those documented in areas without any oxygen constraints. The results of this study show that the distribution pattern documented for M. oculata appear to be linked to the specific regional environmental conditions off Angola, which have been recorded in the direct vicinity of the thriving coral community. Additionally, an estimated average colony age of 95 ± 76 (SD) years (total estimated age range: 16–369 years) indicates relatively old M. oculata populations colonizing the Angolan coral mounds. Finally, the characteristics of the Angolan populations are benchmarked and discussed in the light of the existing knowledge on M. oculata gained from the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

Full Text
File Pages Size Access
Publisher's official version 13 3 MB Open access
Top of the page