Exceptional biodiversity of the cryptofaunal decapods in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean

The Chagos Archipelago is geographically remote and isolated from most direct anthropogenic pressures. Here, we quantify the abundance and diversity of decapod crustaceans inhabiting dead coral colonies, representing a standardised microhabitat, across the Archipelago. Using morphological and molecu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2018-10, Vol.135, p.636-647
Main Authors: Head, Catherine E.I., Bonsall, Michael B., Jenkins, Tom L., Koldewey, Heather, Pratchett, Morgan S., Taylor, Michelle L., Rogers, Alex D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abundance
Animals
Anthozoa - classification
Anthropogenic factors
Aquatic crustaceans
Archipelagoes
Atolls
Biodiversity
Chagos Archipelago
Colonies
Coral Reefs
Corals
Crustaceans
Cryptofauna
Decapoda (Crustacea)
Decapods
Ecological distribution
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean Islands
Marine crustaceans
Marine ecology
Marine pollution
Microenvironments
Microhabitat
Microhabitats
Ocean dumping
Rare species
Shellfish
Species
Species richness
Taxonomy
Underwater resources
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Summary:The Chagos Archipelago is geographically remote and isolated from most direct anthropogenic pressures. Here, we quantify the abundance and diversity of decapod crustaceans inhabiting dead coral colonies, representing a standardised microhabitat, across the Archipelago. Using morphological and molecular techniques we recorded 1868 decapods from 164 nominal species within 54 dead coral colonies, but total species estimates (Chao1 estimator) calculate at least 217 species. Galatheids were the most dominant taxa, though alpheids and hippolytids were also very abundant. 32% of species were rare, and 46% of species were found at only one atoll. This prevalence of rarer species has been reported in other cryptofauna studies, suggesting these assemblages maybe comprised of low-abundance species. This study provides the first estimate of diversity for reef cryptofauna in Chagos, which will serve as a useful baseline for global comparisons of coral reef biodiversity. •Species richness in Chagos Archipelago was recorded at 164 decapod species.•Decapod abundance on these coral reefs was recorded at 1868 individuals.•A high proportion of the species were rare (32%) and found at only one atoll (46%).•Galatheids were the most dominant, alpheids and hippolytids were also abundant.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.063