Upper mesophotic depths in the coral reefs of Eilat, Red Sea, offer suitable refuge grounds for coral settlement

Netanel Kramer,Yossi Loya,Raz Tamir,Gal Eyal

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-38795-1

Abstract

Due to increasing frequency of disturbances to shallow reefs, it has been suggested that Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs, 30–150 m depth) may serve as a refuge for corals and a source of larvae that can facilitate the recovery of shallow degraded reefs. As such, they have received increased attention in the past decade, yet remained understudied regarding recruitment dynamics. Here we describe coral recruitment dynamics on settlement tiles and their adjacent natural habitats (10 m vs. 50 m depths) in Eilat, over a period of 5.5 years. The tiles were deployed along three sites onto 18 racks (3 at each depth and at each site). Recruitment patterns varied both temporally and spatially, ending up to two-fold higher juvenile density and higher recruitment rates at mesophotic sites. Settlement surface preference changed with depth, favoring exposed surfaces in mesophotic waters and cryptic surfaces in shallow waters. Juvenile assemblages differed between depths and were distinct from adjacent natural habitats. Over half of the recruited genera overlapped between depths. We suggest that Eilat MCEs serve as a larval sink, providing settlement grounds for shallow-reef propagules. In view of their significance, we call for the protection of these unique and distinct deep-reef habitats.

Highlights

Upper mesophotic depths in the coral reefs of Eilat, Red Sea, offer suitable refuge grounds for coral settlement
We addressed the following questions: (1) Does coral recruitment vary between the shallow reefs and upper Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs)? (2) Are recruit assemblages between the shallow reefs and upper MCEs distinct or similar? (3) Do the recruited genera exhibit a habitat preference in regard to depth? And, (4) how many recruits survive after settlement? we discuss the potential role of mesophotic recruitment in replenishing shallow reefs and serving as refuge grounds
Juvenile coral assemblages at all sites were dominated by the genus Stylophora (34% of total recruits), Porites (23%) and Psammocora (8%)

Summary

Introduction

Upper mesophotic depths in the coral reefs of Eilat, Red Sea, offer suitable refuge grounds for coral settlement. Coral Ecosystems (MCEs, 30–150 m depth) may serve as a refuge for corals and a source of larvae that can facilitate the recovery of shallow degraded reefs. As such, they have received increased attention in the past decade, yet remained understudied regarding recruitment dynamics. We describe coral recruitment dynamics on settlement tiles and their adjacent natural habitats (10 m vs 50 m depths) in Eilat, over a period of 5.5 years. MCEs serve as a larval sink, providing settlement grounds for shallow-reef propagules In view of their significance, we call for the protection of these unique and distinct deep-reef habitats. The persistence, recovery, and resilience of coral reefs largely depend upon crucial early life-history processes: e.g. reproduction, settlement, and recruitment[8,9]

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Conclusion