Ecophysiology of Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata from Formigas Seamount (Azores): The influence of different water masses

• Main Authors: Viladrich, Núria, Gori, Andrea, Movilla, Juancho, Gutiérrez-Zárate, Cristina, Rakka, Maria, Mosquera, Ángela, Aparicio, Alberto, Velez-Belchí, Pedro, Orejas, Covadonga
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Ecophysiology; Lophelia pertusa; Madrepora oculata; Formigas seamount; North East Atlantic
• Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/3484710; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3484710

Water masses have been identified as potential important drivers of cold-water corals (CWC) distribution. It has been hypothesized that Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) driven the CWC colonization of North-East Atlantic after the last glacial period, promoting transport of coral larvae and fenerating suitable environmental conditions enhancing croal growth. Several seamounts inhabited by the CWC Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata are directly influenced by the MOW along its way west to Azores Islands. To advance in the exploration of the possible influence of MOW on the past and current distribution of Atlantic CWC, this study experimentally assessed the respiration rates of L. pertusa and M. oculata, under the influence of Mediterranean and Atlantic waters.