Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10553/133243
Title: Understanding Balanophyllia regia distribution in the Canary Islands: effects of environmental factors and methodologies for future monitoring
Authors: Lopez, Cataixa
Tuya, Fernando 
Clemente, Sabrina
UNESCO Clasification: 251005 Zoología marina
251001 Oceanografía biológica
Keywords: Climate change
Fish communities
Rocky reef
Impacts
Patterns, et al
Issue Date: 2024
Journal: Diversity 
Abstract: The future of marine ecosystems is at risk due to climate change and other human impacts. Specifically, due to ocean warming, some tropical species are expanding their populations while populations of temperate species are in regression, making the establishment of conservation measures imperative to maintain local biodiversity. In this study we establish a baseline on the distribution and abundance of the temperate coral Balanophyllia regia from the Canary Islands. We found that the main environmental factors determining B. regia's distribution and abundance were sea surface temperature and hydrodynamic conditions. Areas under large wave action and colder environments enhanced this warm-temperate species' development. Since its metabolic performance depends exclusively on the surrounding environment, we also propose a methodology to potentially monitor climate change on coastal habitats through this azooxanthellate calcified coral. Results of a tagging experiment showed that a concentration of 20 mg/mL of calcein during 6 h might be enough to in situ label polyps of B. regia without compromising corallite survival. Long-term monitoring of population abundances and growth rates of B. regia through calcein tagging will allow us to identify alterations in local ecosystems early and focus future conservation investments on the most vulnerable areas with higher ecological and economic value.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10553/133243
ISSN: 1424-2818
DOI: 10.3390/d16080475
Source: Diversity [ISSN 1424-2818], v. 16 (8), (Agosto 2024)
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