Hiske Gesine Fink - E-LIB - Universität Bremen
Hiske Gesine Fink - E-LIB - Universität Bremen
Hiske Gesine Fink - E-LIB - Universität Bremen
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9 Scleractinian�cold�water�corals�in�the�Gulf�of�Cádiz���First�clues�about�their�<br />
spatial�and�temporal�distribution��<br />
�����������������������������������<strong>Hiske</strong>�G.�<strong>Fink</strong>������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� �<br />
1MARUM���Center�for�Marine�Environmental�Sciences,�University�of�<strong>Bremen</strong>,�Leobenerstrasse,�28359�<strong>Bremen</strong>,�Germany�<br />
2Department�of�Marine�Geology,�Royal�Netherlands�Institute�for�Sea�Research�(NIOZ),�Landsdiep�4,�1797�SZ�’t�Horntje�<br />
(Texel),�The�Netherlands�<br />
3Department�of�Geology,�Environmental�Research�Institute,�University�College�Cork,�Cork,�Ireland�<br />
4Department�of�Geosciences,�University�of�Catania,�Corso�Italia�55,�95129�Catania,�Italy�<br />
5ISMAR�CNR,�Via�Gobetti�101,�40129�Bologna,�Italy�<br />
6GeoZentrum�Nordbayern,�Paläoumwelt,�University�of�Erlangen�Nuremberg,�Loewenichstrasse�28,�91054�Erlangen,�<br />
Germany�<br />
�<br />
�������������Deep�Sea�Research�I:�Oceanographic�Research�Papers�����������������������������<br />
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�<br />
This�paper�presents�the�first�compilation�of�information�on�the�spatial�distribution�of�<br />
scleractinian� cold�water� corals� in� the� Gulf� of� Cádiz� based� on� literature� research� and� own�<br />
observations� (video� footage,� sediment� samples).� Scleractinian� cold�water� corals� are� widely�<br />
distributed� along� the� Spanish� and� Moroccan� margins� in� the� Gulf� of� Cádiz,� where� they� are�<br />
mainly� associated� with� mud� volcanoes,� diapiric� ridges,� steep� fault� escarpments,� and� coral�<br />
mounds.� Dendrophyllia� cornigera,� Dendrophyllia� alternata,� Eguchipsammia� cornucopia,�<br />
Madrepora�oculata�and�Lophelia�pertusa�are�the�most�abundant�reef�forming�species.�Today,�<br />
they�are�almost�solely�present�as�isolated�patches�of�fossil�coral�and�coral�rubble.�The�absence�<br />
of� living� scleractinian� corals� is� likely� related� to� a� reduced� food� supply� caused� by� low�<br />
productivity� and� diminished� tidal� effects.� In� contrast,� during� the� past� 48� kyr� scleractinian�<br />
corals� were� abundant� in� the� Gulf� of� Cádiz,� although� their� occurrence� demonstrates� no�<br />
relationship� with� main� climatic� or� oceanographic� changes.� Nevertheless,� there� exists� a�<br />
conspicuous�relationship�when�the�main�species�are�considered�separately.�Dendrophylliids�<br />
are� associated� with� periods� of� relatively� stable� and� warm� conditions.� The� occurrence� of�<br />
L.�pertusa�mainly�clusters�within�the�last�glacial�when�bottom�current�strength�in�the�Gulf�of�<br />
Cádiz� was� enhanced� and� long�term� stable� conditions� existed� in� terms� of� temperature.�<br />
Madrepora�oculata�shows�a�higher�tolerance�to�abrupt�environmental�changes.�<br />
�<br />
Keywords:�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������<br />
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