Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of black coral from Elvers Bank, north-western Gulf of Mexico (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Antipatharia: Aphanipathidae: Distichopathes)

Dennis M Opresko,Marissa Nuttall,Mercer R Brugler,G.P Schmahl,Raven Johnson,Samantha L Goldman,Katherine Parra

doi:10.1017/s002531542000051x

Abstract

AbstractThe continental shelf edge of the NW Gulf of Mexico supports dozens of reefs and banks, including the West and East Flower Garden Banks (FGB) and Stetson Bank that comprise the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). Discovered by fishermen in the early 1900s, the FGBs are named after the colourful corals, sponges and algae that dominate the region. The reefs and banks are the surface expression of underlying salt domes and provide important habitat for mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCE) and deep coral communities to 300 m depth. Since 2001, FGBNMS research teams have utilized remotely operated vehicles (e.g. ‘Phantom S2’, ‘Mohawk’, ‘Yogi’) to survey and characterize benthic habitats of this region. In 2016, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement proposed the expansion of the current sanctuary boundaries to incorporate an additional 15 reefs and banks, including Elvers Bank. Antipatharians (black corals) were collected within the proposed expansion sites and analysed using morphological and molecular methods. A new species, Distichopathes hickersonae, collected at 172 m depth on Elvers Bank, is described within the family Aphanipathidae. This brings the total number of black coral species in and around the sanctuary to 14.

Highlights

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is located off the Texas and Louisiana coasts on the continental shelf margin in the north-western Gulf of Mexico, and encompasses just three of the dozens of reefs and banks that occur in this area
Antipatharians are relatively common in some areas of the FGBNMS and 13 species have been recorded from the sanctuary (Opresko et al, 2016), occurring at depths ranging from 50–150 m
During a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) survey cruise (Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Cruise 2016; Cruise DFH-30; Dive 382) conducted in September 2016, a large green, pinnately branched antipatharian colony was photographed at a depth of 172 m at Elvers Bank (Figure 2); samples of the colony were not collected at that time due to a malfunction of the manipulator arm on the remotely operated vehicle (ROV)

Summary

Introduction

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is located off the Texas and Louisiana coasts on the continental shelf margin in the north-western Gulf of Mexico, and encompasses just three of the dozens of reefs and banks that occur in this area. Materials and methods This report is based on specimens collected during expeditions aboard the RV ‘Manta’ to reefs and banks of the north-western Gulf of Mexico, conducted by NOAA staff of the FGBNMS as well as students and staff of NYC College of Technology (CUNY).

Results

Conclusion