The Distribution of Scleractinian Corals Inhabiting Depths of over 1000 m in the Pacific Ocean

• Published in: Oceanology (Washington. 1965) 2022-12, Vol.62 (6), p.846-859
• Main Authors: Keller, N. B., Oskina, N. S., Olshanetskiy, D. M., Zarayskaya, Y. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abyssal zone; Belt conveyors; Corals; Depth; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Evolution; Geographical distribution; Larvae; Marine Biology; Oceanography; Shallow water; Thermohaline circulation
• ISSN: 0001-4370; 1531-8508
• DOI: 10.1134/S0001437022060054

A distribution analysis of scleractinian coral species in the Pacific Ocean using the data of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology and literature data was carried out with regards to the global ocean conveyor belt. The idea was to evaluate if the Conveyor acts as a natural barrier for hydranth larva. Series of maps of scleractinian coral distribution in depths intervals of 1000–2000, 2000–3000, 3000–4000, and 4000–5000 m were created in order to study the characteristics of their distribution in the Pacific Ocean. The majority of stations (up to 300) with corals were registered in the depth range of 1000–2000 m. A few stations are located in deeper regions. The second highest number of stations (more than 60) are located in abyss depths deeper than 4000 m. However, only three species are present in this depth range. The geographical distribution of scleractinian corals shows longitudinal asymmetry. The majority of the stations are located in the western part of the Pacific. We are suggesting that this distribution is associated with the global ocean conveyor belt and with the evolution of the ocean. The paleogeographic evaluation of the possible time period when the species first appeared shows that relatively shallow water (1000–2000 m) corral associations are older than the abyssal scleractinian fauna. This supplements the hypotheses that we made in [ 4 ] of the evolution of F. marenzelleri and L. discus [ 4 ].