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<p>Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) in mesophotic ecosystems in some areas are mainly defined by Antipatharia (black corals). Among them, whip black corals (or unbranched corals) have a single-stem corallum and thrive in deeper habitats with strong currents. It has been suggested that the MAFs are biodiversity hotspots and may be seen as refugia and/or feeding areas for many species. The bearded fireworm, <i>Hermodice carunculata</i>, an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder that exhibits scavenging behavior, has been found in association with black coral forests; however, its co-occurrence with unbranched whip corals has not been previously documented and quantified. This study reveals the presence of <i>H. carunculata</i> alongside <i>Stichopathes</i> spp. in deep-water MAFs off Punta Blanca in Southwest Tenerife (Canary Islands), with a 40% co-occurrence rate in the video ROV transects. Highest values of both species were recorded at depths between 80 and 120&#xa0;m. Correlations between <i>H. carunculata</i> and <i>S. gracilis</i> (r = 0.895) and <i>S. setacea</i> (r = 0.715) indicate positive relationships between the ecosystem engineer and the vagile species. These findings underscore the importance of MAFs in promoting biodiversity, highlight their vulnerability in a climate change world, and call for a deeper understanding of these ecosystems to inform conservation efforts.</p>

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Co-occurrence of Hermodice carunculata (Polychaeta, Annelida) and Stichopathes spp. (Hexacorallia, Cnidaria) off Punta Blanca (SW Tenerife, Spain)

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月9日

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  • S. Fraissinet,
  • R. Aguilar,
  • J. Blanco,
  • D. Arduini,
  • M. Anglano,
  • S. Rossi

摘要

Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) in mesophotic ecosystems in some areas are mainly defined by Antipatharia (black corals). Among them, whip black corals (or unbranched corals) have a single-stem corallum and thrive in deeper habitats with strong currents. It has been suggested that the MAFs are biodiversity hotspots and may be seen as refugia and/or feeding areas for many species. The bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata, an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder that exhibits scavenging behavior, has been found in association with black coral forests; however, its co-occurrence with unbranched whip corals has not been previously documented and quantified. This study reveals the presence of H. carunculata alongside Stichopathes spp. in deep-water MAFs off Punta Blanca in Southwest Tenerife (Canary Islands), with a 40% co-occurrence rate in the video ROV transects. Highest values of both species were recorded at depths between 80 and 120 m. Correlations between H. carunculata and S. gracilis (r = 0.895) and S. setacea (r = 0.715) indicate positive relationships between the ecosystem engineer and the vagile species. These findings underscore the importance of MAFs in promoting biodiversity, highlight their vulnerability in a climate change world, and call for a deeper understanding of these ecosystems to inform conservation efforts.