The coral communities of the Islas Marias archipelago,Mexico: structure and biogeographic relevance to the Eastern Pacific |
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| Authors: | Andrés López‐Pérez Amilcar Cupul‐Magaña Miguel Angel Ahumada‐Sempoal Pedro Medina‐Rosas Héctor Reyes‐Bonilla María Dinorah Herrero‐Pérezrul Cristóbal Reyes‐Hernández Julio Lara‐Hernández |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratorio de Ecosistemas Costeros, Departamento de Hidrobiología, UAM‐Iztapalapa, México D.F, Mexico;2. Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico;3. Instituto de Recursos, Universidad del Mar, Puerto ángel, Oaxaca, Mexico;4. Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico;5. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico;6. Programa de Biología Marina, Universidad del Mar, Puerto ángel, Oaxaca, Mexico |
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| Abstract: | Various authors have suggested that the Islas Marias archipelago, Mexico, may play a significant biogeographic role in the dispersal of Indo Pacific coral species into the Eastern Pacific; however, the coral communities of this archipelago have received scarce attention to date. Here, we first addressed coral community structure across the islands and, by employing ordination analysis, minimum spanning tree and particle‐tracking experiments, used this information to evaluate the relevance of the archipelago for coral dispersal. Twenty‐four coral communities were recorded in the archipelago. Coral cover varied significantly among islands: Maria Cleofas had large values (38.5%), intermediate values were observed for Maria Madre (26.5%) and Maria Magdalena (22.84%), and relatively low values were recorded for San Juanito (18.5%). Coral communities mainly consisted of Pocillopora (57.3%) and Porites (25.5%) species, while species of Pavona (16%) and Psammocora (0.6%) made relatively minor contributions. Thirteen stony coral species were identified in the archipelago; of these Psammocora profundacella and Pavona duerdeni represent new records. Ordination analysis, minimum spanning tree and particle‐tracking experiments suggested similar connecting paths in the studied area; in general, the Islas Marias stands as a route for coral dispersal of Indo Pacific species into the Northeastern Pacific. In a regional context, the Islas Marias has three major biogeographic implications to coral dispersal: (i) the archipelago stands as a major stepping stone for the transport of species and individuals among the Revillagigedo archipelago, the Gulf of California and the tropical Mexican Pacific; (ii) the Islas Marias may play a seminal role in maintaining the genetic connectivity between southern and northern coral populations along the Mexican Pacific and (iii) because of its relatively pristine status and low levels of human impact, the archipelago may potentially serve as a source of coral propagules for ecosystem recovery in the Gulf of California and along the Pacific coast of the Mexican mainland following natural and/or human induced perturbations. |
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| Keywords: | Biogeography Central Mexican Pacific connectivity Eastern Pacific stony corals |
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