[Coral-List] High latitude, mesophotic coral communities described in new paper

[Michelle Linklater]

Dear Coral-listers,


For those interested in coral range extents and mesophotic coral ecosystems, my colleagues and I have recently published a paper describing abundant coral communities at mesophotic depths in a high latitude setting. Corals were observed down to 94 m depth around a remote island, Balls Pyramid (31°45'S, 159°15'E) which is located at the southern limits of coral reef growth in the southwest Pacific Ocean (24 km south of Lord Howe Island). These corals were found to colonise the surface of an extensive drowned fossil reef system which flourished during times of lower sea level.


The discovery of abundant modern and historical coral growth in this setting highlights the capacity for coral growth in subtropical, mesophotic environments. These findings have important implications for understanding potential coral reef range expansion and deep reef refugia under a changing climate.


The paper is available for download via the following links: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1T~35-JmAX3~L (free full text download available until 21st December)

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278434316304277


Kind regards,

Michelle


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Michelle Linklater
Scientist (Coastal and Marine)
Coastal and Marine Unit, Science Division
Office of Environment and Heritage
Level 4, 26 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle, NSW, 2300
Locked Bag 1002, Dangar, NSW, 2309
P: 02 4904 2722 E: michelle.linklater at environment.nsw.gov.au<https://mail.environment.nsw.gov.au/owa/redir.aspx?C=SRIcy5dMZBVyhla76-2BMaW3e6umN1KImQaC2oqmrkQFmb4j9SbUCA..&URL=mailto%3amichelle.linklater%40environment.nsw.gov.au>