Head, CEI and Bonsall, MB and Jenkins, TL and Koldewey, H and Pratchett, MS and Taylor, ML and Rogers, AD (2018) Exceptional biodiversity of the cryptofaunal decapods in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 135. pp. 636-647. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.063
Head, CEI and Bonsall, MB and Jenkins, TL and Koldewey, H and Pratchett, MS and Taylor, ML and Rogers, AD (2018) Exceptional biodiversity of the cryptofaunal decapods in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 135. pp. 636-647. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.063
Head, CEI and Bonsall, MB and Jenkins, TL and Koldewey, H and Pratchett, MS and Taylor, ML and Rogers, AD (2018) Exceptional biodiversity of the cryptofaunal decapods in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 135. pp. 636-647. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.063
Abstract
The Chagos Archipelago is geographically remote and isolated from most direct anthropogenic pressures. Here, we quantify the abundance and diversity of decapod crustaceans inhabiting dead coral colonies, representing a standardised microhabitat, across the Archipelago. Using morphological and molecular techniques we recorded 1868 decapods from 164 nominal species within 54 dead coral colonies, but total species estimates (Chao1 estimator) calculate at least 217 species. Galatheids were the most dominant taxa, though alpheids and hippolytids were also very abundant. 32% of species were rare, and 46% of species were found at only one atoll. This prevalence of rarer species has been reported in other cryptofauna studies, suggesting these assemblages maybe comprised of low-abundance species. This study provides the first estimate of diversity for reef cryptofauna in Chagos, which will serve as a useful baseline for global comparisons of coral reef biodiversity.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Decapods; Cryptofauna; Coral reefs; Chagos Archipelago; Rare species; Species richness |
Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Science and Health > Life Sciences, School of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 06 Aug 2018 11:03 |
Last Modified: | 30 Oct 2024 17:26 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/22788 |
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Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0