[Coral-List] Sister manuscripts on mesophotic connectivity in the NWGOM

[Michael Studivan]

Dear coral-listers,

I would like to draw your attention to two recently-published manuscripts examining the connectivity of mesophotic coral ecosystems in the northwest Gulf of Mexico (NWGOM). These two studies apply complementary methods (microsatellites and biophysical modeling) to assess how MCEs may impact gene flow and larval dispersal in the NWGOM region and potentially beyond. These studies are particularly timely, given the current proposal to expand Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to additional mesophotic habitats in the region (learn more about the sanctuary expansion plan here: https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/management/expansiondeis.html)

Both manuscripts are part of the “Coral Reefs in the Anthropocene” research topic of Frontiers in Marine Science, and are openly-available below:

Studivan MS, Voss JD (2018) Assessment of mesophotic coral ecosystem connectivity for proposed expansion of a marine sanctuary in the northwest Gulf of Mexico: population genetics. Frontiers in Marine Science 5:152 doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00152<https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00152>

Garavelli L, Studivan MS, Voss JD, Kuba A, Figueiredo J, Chérubin L (2018) Assessment of mesophotic coral ecosystem connectivity for proposed expansion of a marine sanctuary in the northwest Gulf of Mexico: larval dynamics. Frontiers in Marine Science 5:174 doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00174<https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00174>

These studies are products of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology (CIOERT) headquartered at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. CIOERT seeks to increase our understanding of mesophotic connectivity and ecology through enhanced habitat characterization and development of exploration technologies.

http://www.cioert.org

Regards,


Michael Studivan, Ph.D.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Florida Atlantic University
office: (772) 242-2204
mesophoticmike.weebly.com<http://mesophoticmike.weebly.com>
@theMikeAquatic