Abstract
This study compares living and dead populations of the rare fungiid coral, Cycloseris curvata, from two locations at opposite ends of the Galápagos Archipelago. Cycloseris is one of only two fungiid coral species in the Eastern Pacific, and occurs in isolated, patchy populations. The only known live population of this species in the Galápagos Islands is found at Devil’s Crown, Floreana Island at the southern end of the Archipelago. Additionally, dead skeletons were first observed in 2012 at Darwin Reef, 364 km north-northwest of the living population. Skeleton size was quantified from digital photographs using the program Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions (CPCe). Living Cycloseris curvata individuals at Devil’s Crown were significantly larger on average than dead skeletons observed at Darwin Reef (28.2 ± 11.9 cm2 vs. 18.4 ± 0.9 cm2 , p < 0.001, t-Test). This suggests that Cycloseris at Darwin Reef was either limited in size by habitat constraints or environmental stress, or did not live as long as those at Devil’s Crown. Cycloseris is commonly found on rubble and sand bottom, and there is a greater area of this type of habitat at Devil’s Crown compared to Darwin Reef. Additionally, the Devil’s Crown site is shallower than the site at Darwin Reef (15m vs. 28m respectively), and larger size may be associated with increased light and consequent increased energy production by the mutualistic dinoflagellate coral symbiont (zooxanthellae). Continuing efforts seek to discover additional populations of this coral to better understand their unusual niche in benthic ecosystems.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Joshua Feingold
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
Comparison of Living and Dead Populations of the Fungiid Coral Cycloseris curvata in the Galápagos Isalnds, Ecuador
Alvin Sherman Library
This study compares living and dead populations of the rare fungiid coral, Cycloseris curvata, from two locations at opposite ends of the Galápagos Archipelago. Cycloseris is one of only two fungiid coral species in the Eastern Pacific, and occurs in isolated, patchy populations. The only known live population of this species in the Galápagos Islands is found at Devil’s Crown, Floreana Island at the southern end of the Archipelago. Additionally, dead skeletons were first observed in 2012 at Darwin Reef, 364 km north-northwest of the living population. Skeleton size was quantified from digital photographs using the program Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions (CPCe). Living Cycloseris curvata individuals at Devil’s Crown were significantly larger on average than dead skeletons observed at Darwin Reef (28.2 ± 11.9 cm2 vs. 18.4 ± 0.9 cm2 , p < 0.001, t-Test). This suggests that Cycloseris at Darwin Reef was either limited in size by habitat constraints or environmental stress, or did not live as long as those at Devil’s Crown. Cycloseris is commonly found on rubble and sand bottom, and there is a greater area of this type of habitat at Devil’s Crown compared to Darwin Reef. Additionally, the Devil’s Crown site is shallower than the site at Darwin Reef (15m vs. 28m respectively), and larger size may be associated with increased light and consequent increased energy production by the mutualistic dinoflagellate coral symbiont (zooxanthellae). Continuing efforts seek to discover additional populations of this coral to better understand their unusual niche in benthic ecosystems.
