RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Understanding Balanophyllia regia distribution in the Canary Islands: effects of environmental factors and methodologies for future monitoring
A1 López, Cataixa
A1 Tuya, Fernando
A1 Clemente Martín, María Sabrina
A2 Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología
A2 BiodiversidadEcología Marina y Conservación (BIOECOMAC)
K1 azooxanthellate coral
K1 ocean warming
K1 calcein
K1 distribution pattern
K1 growth
K1 Canary Islands
K1 conservation management
AB 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.
SN 1424-2818
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/40773
UL http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/40773
LA 
NO Diversity 2024, 16, 475
DS Repositorio institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna
RD 13-may-2025