First insights into the demography of the rare gorgonian Spinimuricea klavereni in the Mediterranean Sea
Topcu, E.; Ozturk, B. (2016). First insights into the demography of the rare gorgonian Spinimuricea klavereni in the Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Ecol. (Berl.) 37(5): 1154-1160. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maec.12352
In: Marine Ecology (Berlin). Blackwell: Berlin. ISSN 0173-9565; e-ISSN 1439-0485, meer
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| Trefwoorden |
Spinimuricea klavereni (Carpine & Grasshoff, 1975) [WoRMS]
Marien/Kust |
| Author keywords |
Demography; gorgonian; growth rate; Marmara Sea; Spinimuricea klavereni |
| Abstract |
We present the results of the first study to highlight the demography, morphometry and growth rates of Spinimuricea klavereni , a rare Mediterranean endemic gorgonian exceptionally common in shallow depths of the Northeast Marmara Sea. In the study area, this species forms vast populations on rocks, boulders and attached to pebbles/stones/shells on soft substrates between 20 and 45 m depth, with a total average density of 0.3 colonies·m−2 but comprising patches up to 3 colonies·m−2. Colonies, which are on average 42.9 (±20.1) cm in height, can reach up to 110 cm. Unlike other Mediterranean gorgonians, the colonies studied here showed fast growth rates that decreased with increasing colony height, between 1.5–11.1 and 4.96 ± 3.01 cm·year−1 on average. The low necrosis and high growth rates displayed by this species in the Northeast Marmara Sea confirm the previously hypothesized opportunistic behaviour of the species. The unique community consisting of S. klavereni and other rare gorgonian/soft corals has limited distribution in this area and should be considered to be a vulnerable marine ecosystem. Therefore we recommend that some conservation measures are taken, including the prohibition of all fisheries and anchoring over these assemblages. |
| Dataset |
- Linares, Cristina; Figuerola, Laura; Gómez-Gras, Daniel; Pagès-Escolà, Marta; Olvera, Àngela, Aubach, Àlex; Amate, Roger; Figuerola, Blanca; Kersting, Diego; Ledoux, Jean-Baptiste; López-Sanz, Àngel; López-Sendino, Paula; Medrano, Alba; Garrabou, Joaquim; (2020); CorMedNet- Distribution and demographic data of habitat-forming invertebrate species from Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages between 1882 and 2019, meer
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