Black corals create extensive animal forests in the Canary Islands, providing habitat, food and shelter for a myriad of organisms. These keystone habitats are intricately linked to flow intensity, shaping the presence, morphology and distribution of these suspension feeders. In this sense, black corals are sessile organisms which feed mainly on microscopic particles within the water column, including zooplankton, phytoplankton and particulate organic matter. The significance of currents in the survival of black corals cannot be underestimated, as they play a pivotal role by at least delivering essential food that would otherwise be inaccessible to these organisms.
Currently, our comprehension of the connection between these organisms and ocean currents remains incomplete, leaving us many knowledge gaps about the extent of their reliance on currents for overall fitness and survival.
For this reason, the aim of the study was to assess the response of a common black coral species in the Canary Islands (Antipathella wollastoni), under different current regimes to observe its survival and overall health. This information would enhance our ecological knowledge of the species, laying the groundwork for future studies on the relation between currents and reproduction. Such insights are imperative for the conservation and restoration of these organisms in their natural environment.
For the purpose of the study, we conducted an experiment with fragments of Antipathella wollastoni collected from colonies of the natural environment and transported to the laboratory. Subsequently, these fragments were subjected to three distinct flow conditions—no current, low, and high. Over a span of 5 weeks, the specimens were meticulously observed in a controlled aquarium environment, allowing for daily monitoring and assessment of their status.
At the moment, there are only preliminary results, but we can already say that the scenario with no current was the less successful, with a tendency for higher mortality. These findings yield valuable ecological insights into understanding the species distribution (e.g., current conditions and sex ratios) in their natural habitat. Moreover, they hold significant implications for the implementation of controlled reproduction programs in the current context of habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and global change, guiding future initiatives in ecosystems restoration.
Written by Lucía Palacios, ULPGC