Pre- and post-1998 ENSO records of shallow-water octocorals (Alcyonacea) in the Chagos Archipelago

Michael H. Schleyer*, Yehuda Benayahu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

When compared, principal octocorals collected in the Chagos Archipelago before and after the 1998 ENSO shared many common taxa. While a few discontinuities in their biodiversity revealed subtle changes in more persistent genera (Lobophytum, Sarcophyton), some fast-growing "fugitive" genera (e.g. Cespitularia, Efflatounaria, Heteroxenia) disappeared after the ENSO-related coral bleaching. Such transient fugitives might thus be eliminated from soft coral communities on isolated reef systems, possibly in the long term, by events of this nature. The appearance of Carijoa riseii, a species often considered a fouling organism, even an invasive, may well be indicative of reef degradation during the ENSO event. The post-ENSO recovery manifested by this fauna nevertheless gives cause for hope for their survival in the face of climate change.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2197-2200
Number of pages4
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume60
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Funding

FundersFunder number
South African National Research Foundation
National Research Foundation
South African Association for Marine Biological Research

    Keywords

    • Alcyonacea
    • Chagos Archipelago
    • Coral bleaching
    • Indian Ocean
    • Octocorallia

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