Syn-depositional alteration of coral reef framework through bioerosion, encrustation and cementation: Taphonomic signatures of reef accretion and reef depositional events

Perry, Chris T.; Hepburn, Leanne J.

doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2007.08.006

Cited by 130 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…CC, aside from their role as secondary reef builders contributing to reef carbonate production and fortification of the reef framework (Mallela 2007;Perry and Hepburn 2008), fulfill another crucial ecological role by providing settlement cues and substrate for the larvae of reef-building corals (Heyward and Negri 1999). Our data support this argument by showing a significant positive relationship of CC calcification rates and percent cover with the abundances of the three important reef builders Porites, Acropora, and Pocillopora.…”

Section: Spatial Calcification and Coral Reef Benthic Compositionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Scleractinian corals are the primary reef builders that deposit calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) to give rise to the three-dimensional reef framework. Secondary reef builders, composed predominantly of crustose coralline algae (Corallinales), form calcareous crusts (CC) and fortify the reef framework through cementation, counteracting its disintegration through erosion processes (Mallela and Perry 2007;Perry and Hepburn 2008). In scleractinian corals, calcification depends on the productivity of the intracellular dinoflagellate algal symbionts (commonly referred to as zooxanthellae) that supply energy to the coral host through photosynthesis (Muscatine 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial and seasonal reef calcification in corals and calcareous crusts in the central Red Sea

et al. 2015

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The existence of coral reef ecosystems critically relies on the reef carbonate framework produced by scleractinian corals and calcareous crusts (i.e., crustose coralline algae). While the Red Sea harbors one of the longest connected reef systems in the world, detailed calcification data are only available from the northernmost part. To fill this knowledge gap, we measured in situ calcification rates of primary and secondary reef builders in the central Red Sea. We collected data on the major habitat-forming coral genera Porites, Acropora, and Pocillopora and also on calcareous crusts (CC) in a spatioseasonal framework. The scope of the study comprised sheltered and exposed sites of three reefs along a crossshelf gradient and over four seasons of the year. Calcification of all coral genera was consistent across the shelf and highest in spring. In addition, Pocillopora showed increased calcification at exposed reef sites. In contrast, CC calcification increased from nearshore, sheltered to offshore, exposed reef sites, but also varied over seasons. Comparing our data to other reef locations, calcification in the Red Sea was in the range of data collected from reefs in the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific; however, Acropora calcification estimates were at the lower end of worldwide rates. Our study shows that the increasing coral cover from nearshore to offshore environments aligned with CC calcification but not coral calcification, highlighting the potentially important role of CC in structuring reef cover and habitats. While coral calcification maxima have been typically observed during summer in many reef locations worldwide, calcification maxima during spring in the central Red Sea indicate that summer temperatures exceed the optima of reef calcifiers in this region. This study provides a foundation for comparative efforts and sets a baseline to quantify impact of future environmental change in the central Red Sea.

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Section: Spatial Calcification and Coral Reef Benthic Compositionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and seasonal reef calcification in corals and calcareous crusts in the central Red Sea

et al. 2015

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“…Abundance and diversity of encrusters Distribution patterns of encrusters are considered to be determined by both environmental (physical) and biological factors (Perry and Hepburn 2008). These factors are known to act jointly in many instances and are commonly difficult to disentangle.…”

Section: Disturbancementioning

confidence: 99%

Encrustation patterns on Late Cretaceous (Turonian) echinoids from southern Poland

Borszcz

Kukliński

Zatoń

2012

Facies

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This study focuses on sclerobionts from a large collection of epibenthic echinoids ([2,000 specimens) of the genera Conulus and Camerogalerus. Samples were collected from five localities in southern Poland (Polish Jura and Miechów Trough), where Turonian carbonates with terrigenous input are exposed. Low intensity (mean ca. 5 %, maximum ca. 10 %) and slight encrustation (''loosening effect'') exclusively by episkeletozoans probably resulted from low productivity of encrusters while the importance of other factors cannot be excluded unambiguously. Echinoids served as a main substratum and after death formed shellgrounds ('echinoid carpet') offering abundant benthic islands for encrusters in an otherwise soft-bottom environment. The moderate abundance but low-diversity assemblage is represented by bivalves, sedentary polychaetes, foraminifera, bryozoans, corals, and sponges. This assemblage is similar to a nearly contemporaneous assemblage from the Bohemian Basin. The presence of numerous spirorbins offers insights into their early evolution and may indicate that their first peak in abundance after origination was not prior to the earliest Turonian. This is regarded as one of the important ecological steps towards the rise of modern sclerobiont communities. Encruster diversities are independent of their abundance and, as shown in our novel planar projections, lateral parts of tests were preferentially encrusted. This pattern is explained by the combination of largest flat area and stable orientation. Encrusting bivalves and serpulids dominated hard substrate environments in the Turonian of Poland.

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“…In certain ecosystems, corallines are the main contributors to carbon budgets (Chisholm, 2003;Martin et al, 2006;Bensoussan and Gattuso, 2007). On coral reefs, corallines are fundamental for cementing the primary reef framework and maintain habitat diversity (Littler, 1972;Littler and Doty, 1975;Adey, 1998;Perry and Hepburn, 2008;. Carbonate skeletons are considered responsible for the distribution and abundance of many species (Steneck, 1986;Vadas and Steneck, 1988;Steneck et al, 1991;Steneck and Dethier, 1994;Steller and Foster, 1995;Foster, 2001), and ultimately for the ecological success of coralline algae in marine habitats, as they play fundamental roles providing protection against herbivores and resistance to water motion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light Absorption in Coralline Algae (Rhodophyta): A Morphological and Functional Approach to Understanding Species Distribution in a Coral Reef Lagoon

Vásquez-Elizondo

Enríquez

2017

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Red coralline algae are a cosmopolitan group with the ability to precipitate CaCO 3 within the walls of their vegetative cells. The resultant carbonate structure is key for explaining their ecological success, as it provides protection against herbivores and resistance to water motion. However, its potential contribution to enhance thallus light absorption efficiency through multiple light scattering on algal skeleton, similar to the effect documented for scleractinian corals, has not been yet investigated. Here, we initiate this analysis, characterizing thallus optical properties of three coralline species, which differed in pigment content and thallus mass area (TMA, gDW m −2 ). The three species, the rhodolith Neogoniolithon sp., the crustose coralline alga (CCA), Lithothamnion sp., and the articulated alga Amphiroa tribulus, represent the more distinctive coralline growth-forms and are able to colonize contrasting light environments in Caribbean coral reefs. The thicker thalli of the rhodoliths were the most efficient light collectors, as evidenced by their higher pigment absorption efficiency (a * Chla ; m 2 mgChla −1 ) and photosynthetic rates per unit area. This could explain rhodolith success in oligotrophic, highly illuminated reef environments. In contrast, the thinner thalli of the CCA, a low-light specialist, showed the highest metabolic rates normalized to mass and the highest light absorption efficiencies per unit mass (a * M ; m 2 gdw −1 ). Therefore, the ecological success of the CCA in cryptic habitats within the reef cannot be explained only by its low-light physiology, but also by its capacity to reduce the structural costs of their thalli, and thus of its new growth. Lastly, the ecological success of Amphiroa tribulus, which displayed intermediate values for the efficiency of light absorption, metabolic rates and TMA, was explained by its ability to construct the largest light collectors (algal canopies) thanks to the presence of flexible, non-calcified segments (genicula). This ability enables enhanced photosynthetic and carbonate production at the organism/canopy level. The resulting fragile canopy survives best within the protection provided by colonies of the lettuce coral Agaricia agaricites. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the utility of optical traits as powerful tools to investigate differences in the competitive abilities, abundances and niche distribution among algal species and/or growth-forms.

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Syn-depositional alteration of coral reef framework through bioerosion, encrustation and cementation: Taphonomic signatures of reef accretion and reef depositional events

Cited by 130 publications

References 119 publications

Spatial and seasonal reef calcification in corals and calcareous crusts in the central Red Sea

Spatial and seasonal reef calcification in corals and calcareous crusts in the central Red Sea

Encrustation patterns on Late Cretaceous (Turonian) echinoids from southern Poland

Light Absorption in Coralline Algae (Rhodophyta): A Morphological and Functional Approach to Understanding Species Distribution in a Coral Reef Lagoon

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