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Copyright of Agronomía Colombiana is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Intropica is the property of Revista Intropica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coral recruitment is a key ecological process for the maintenance and recovery of natural populations in coral reefs. To determine the number of coral recruits, in the Jardines de la Reina National Park, a frame (0.25 m x 0.25 m) was used. The frame was placed every 2 m, in 10 m long transects, until 50 squares were completed in each study site. A total of 12 sites on reef crests and 24 sites on slopes were studied. On the reef crests, the sites were distributed among three reserve zones and on the slopes, the sites were distributed among five reserve zones. On the crests, the average density of recruits did not show significant differences for the areas of the reserve (p<0.292). Six species were identified, predominantly Porites astreoides at the Reserva Oeste zone (4.8 colonies/m²) and Agaricia spp. in the Reserva Extremo Oeste (3.8 colonies/m²). On the slopes, significant differences were observed, mainly, between the Reserva Extremo Este and the Reserva Extremo Oeste (p<0.009). Nineteen species were identified, predominantly Agaricia spp. (13.1 colonies/m²) and Siderastrea siderea (14.1 colonies/m²) in the Reserva Oeste. The highest density of coral recruits is found towards the West of the park, and in particular, it was on slopes where the highest densities prevailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reef crests of the Jardines de la Reina National Park (JRNP) are largely formed by Acropora palmata, but colonies of A. cervicornis and the hybrid A. prolifera are also present. This study shows spatial distribution of colonies, thickets and live fragments of these species in the fore reefs. Snorkeling was used to perform the direct observations. The maximum diameter of 4,399 colonies of A. palmata was measured and the health of 3,546 colonies was evaluated. The same was done to 168 colonies of A. cervicornis and 104 colonies of A. prolifera. The influence of the location and marine currents on a number of living colonies of A. palmata was analyzed. For such purpose, reef crests were divided into segments of 500 m. The marine park was divided into two sectors: East and West. The Caballones Channel was used as the reference dividing line. The park was also divided into five reserve zones. We counted 7,276 live colonies of Acropora spp. 1.4% was A. prolifera, 3.5% A. cervicornis and 95.1% A. palmata. There were 104 thickets of A. palmata, ranging from eight to 12 colonies, and 3,495 fragments; 0.6% was A. cervicornis and the rest A. palmata (99.4%). In the East sector, 263 colonies (3.8% of the total), six thickets (5.8%) and 32 fragments (1%) of A. palmate were recorded. In the same sector, there were 11 fragments (50%) of A.cervicornis and two (2%) colonies of A. prolifera. Health of A. palmata was evaluated as good and not so good in the study area. Health of A. cervicornis was critical and health of A. prolifera was good in all five reserve zones. There was a significant increase in the number of colonies from east to west (Χ2 = 11.5, gl = 3.0, p = 0.009). This corroborates the existence of an important abundance differences between the eastern and the western region of the JRNP. A negative relationship was observed between the number of colonies and the distance from the channel (Χ2 = 65.0, df = 3.0, p < 0.001). The influence of the channel, for the live colonies of A. palmata is greater within the first 2,000 m. It then decreases until approximately 6,000 m, and no significant increase beyond. The orientation of the reef crests significantly influenced the abundance of the colonies (Χ2 = 15.5, df = 2.9, p = 0.001). The results presented here provide a baseline for future research on the status of the populations of Acropora spp., considering that there has been a certain recovery of the species A. palmata during the last 10-16 years. Given the current status of the populations of Acropora spp., conservation actions focusing A. cervicornis should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jardines de la Reina National Park is regarded as the largest marine reserve in the Caribbean. To determine the efffect of the protection gradient that stretches from the central reserve to the east and west ends of the park, on the status of the communities of corals and coralline costrose algae, 12 sites in the reef crests and 24 sites in the slopes were surveyed during September and October, 2017. Crests were sorted out into three reserve zones and the slopes into five. To determine the status of corals, the ecological indicators number of species, percent cover, recent mortlity and old mortality were used. In the case of algae, only percent cover was measured. Regarding the number of coral species, no significant differences were observed among the reserve zones. In the reef crests, Millepora complanata, Porites astreoides and Acropora palmata prevailed among the 20 species recorded. Coral cover and recent mortality showed no significant differences among the reserve zones, unlike old mortality (p<0.015) and algal cover (p<0.015). In the reef slopes, 32 species were identified with prevalence of Siderastrea siderea and Agaricia agaricites. Coral cover (p<0.000) and algal cover (p<0.000), showed significant differences among the reserve zones, but not recent mortality and old moratlity. The effect of the protection gradient on the status of corals and crustose coralline algae of the park was not evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caballones Canal is a tidal channel that separates the Anclitas and Caballones keys from the outer edge of the Jardines de la Reina National Park, Cuba. In this study, we characterize the status of four seagrass bed sites of Pasa Caballones in 2015 and 2016. To estimate the density of seagrasses a quadrat of 0.25 x 0.25 cm was placed on three 50 m transects parallel to the coast. At each site, we measured physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, visibility, nutrients. We used bottom trawls to determine fish species composition. The predominant angiosperm in the surveys was Thalassia testudinum. We found differences in both, the average density of short shoots between sites for years (457 and 473 shoots/m2 for 2015 and 2016 respectively), as well as the average height of the canopy (26 and 29 cm for 2015 and 2016, respectively). For both years calcareous greens macroalgae of the genera Halimeda and Penicillus were dominant. We identified 24 fish species from 46 individuals; Sparisoma chrysopterum (14 individuals) and Monacanthus spp (17 individuals) were the most representative in surveys. Nutrient concentration was higher than other seagrass zones in Cuba and Caribbean Region. Sea grasses beds in these sites showed no signs of propellers scars, despite being one of the areas with the largest amount of tourist boats in the region. This study constitutes an ecological basis for future monitoring of sea grasses in other tidal channels representative of the PNJR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four of coral reef crestswere sampledin the Jardines de la Reina National Park, Cuba, to know their conditionin February 2016.Ecological indicators on the Scale System for the Classification and Score of Benthos and Fish Fauna Condition of Coral Reefs in Cuba and the Greater Caribbean were evaluated. The predominant species of corals were, in descending order,Porites astreoides, Millepora complanata and Acropora palmata. Diadema antillarum urchins were predominant and Echinometra lucunter lucunter. The macroalgae with the most abundance were Halimeda opuntia and Canistrocarpus cervicornis. The coral covers was similar in most of sampling sites, but in Anclitas (Site 1), lower density of D. antillarum and less coverage of the species A. palmata was reported. However, in La Puntica site higher density D. antillarum and greater coverage A. palmata was found. The latter site was also the highest percentage of crustose macroalgae even when no significant differences with the remaining sites were found. The latter was also the highest percentage of crustose macroalgaes was determined, although no significant differences with the remaining sites. Anclitas key crest was classified as "unhealthy", the Caballones key crest: Bayamesa y Caballones as "less healthy", whereas that La Puntica as "healthy". The status of coral reef crest of Jardines de la Reina National Park, as crucial element to be defined, as the nutrient composition and direction of tidal currents as well as the community of herbivorous fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of stony corals presents in submerged roots of Rhizophora mangle L. (red mangrove) on Jardines de la Reina National Park, was established. 300 roots were quantified, in which 11 species were identified concerning to 7 genera. Predominant species were Porites astreoides and Porites divaricata. 100 % of the colonies were found in association with crustose coralline algae, mainly from Neogoniolithon gender. Apparently, the success of the settlement of the colonies of stony corals in submerged roots of mangroves depends on the presence of crusted coralline algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition, structure and condition of stony coral and fish communities in the Desembarco del Granma National Park (PNDG) and the Managuano Fauna Refuge (RFMG) in the province of Granma, Cuba were analyzed. Sampling took place in July 2012. For stony corals, 53 line transects were set and 570 coral colonies were counted. Fishes were listed using the drift diving census method for 50 min., while for species density and biomass the five-meter radius stationary method was applied. In the PNDG 25 species of corals of 14 genera, 11 families and 2 orders were recorded; also 97 fish species from 55 genera, 34 families and 8 orders. In the RFMG, 18 coral species from 10 genera, 9 families and 2 orders as well as 56 fish species from 34 genera, 23 families and 6 orders, were recorded. Average old mortality in corals was 18 % and live coral cover ranged from 6,8 % to 19,2 %. No disease was detected. The composition and structure of stony corals in the PNDG and the RFMG were not significantly different from those described for other Cuban coral reefs; health of such communities was regarded as good. Richness offish species was not high, probably due to the effect of fisheries in the said areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined physicochemical parameters and an inventory of species in the Marine Protected Area of Gran Banco de Buena Esperanza, in July 2011 and July 2012. Four sites in seagrass beds and four sites in muddy slopes were established. We measured salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and dissolved nutrients. The inventory was carried out using visual census. Average temperature was 30.8°C, salinity was 37.2. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 5.3 to 8.0 ml/l. The average concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen was 13.2 ± 9.1 µM. In seagrass beds 21 species of macroalgae, 41 species of non-sessile invertebrates and 23 species of stony corals were identified with Cladocora arbuscula and Manicina areolata dominating. We also identified colonies of Acropora cervicornis and Acropora prolifera, with no presence of Acropora palmata. Among the fish, the Lutjanidae family was predominant. In the muddy slopes 31 species of macroalgae and two angiosperms were identified. There were 45 species of non-sessile invertebrates and 42 of stony corals, with Millepora alcicornis, Porites astreoides and the genus Oculina prevailing. The average density of Diadema antillarum was 14 individual. 10m-2. The predominant fish families were Serranidae and Lutjanidae. These results provide the basis for future ecological research and have generated new hypotheses directed mainly towards the presence of possible new species and hybridization and evolution studies, focused mainly on the genus Acropora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research goal was to evaluate the health reef in a sector of the National Park Jardines de la Reina (PNJR) and the Golfo de Ana María (GAM). Four stations were established in to the PNJR and two in GAM on February of 2015. The selected biotopes were terrace border and coral patch. The selected ecologic indicators to evaluate the reef's health were: coral health, coral density and the most abundant species, as well as coral, algal and sponge cover. To evaluate the health and density was used the belt transect method with 10 m long for 1 m of wide, and for the cover it was used the 10 m long lineal transect. Ten sample units for stations were placed. Coral health was affected mainly by bleaching (17.7% of bleached colonies). The most affected due to the blanching were Siderastrea sidereal (Ellis y Solander, 1786) y Agaricia agaricites (Linnaeus, 1758). Yellow blotch disease affected to Orbicella annularis (Ellis y Solander, 1786). Old mortality mainly affected to O. annularis y O. faveolata (Ellis y Solander, 1786). Coral density varied between 35.2 colonies/10 m2 and 92.2 colonies/ 10 m2. Porites astreoides (Lamarck, 1816) was the specie that showed highest density. Live coral cover varied between 9% and 55%. The results permit conclude that even though the Marine Protected Areas aren't invulnerable to global impacts, the ecological indicators evaluated and related with health, density and coral cover shows better results than for others Cuban and Caribbean reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out in October, 2011 and March, 2012. Follow image satellite analyses 41 sites were selected in Ana Maria gulf, south region of Cuba. At these sites an inventory of the corals, gorgonians and sponges were carried out. Health status was analysed for corals. Inventories were carried out in mangrove, seagrass and coral reefs (patch reefs and sand-rocky bottom biotopes) ecosystems. Species richness for corals was 41, 23 for gorgonians and 41 for sponges. More abundant corals species were Porites astreoides, Millepora alcicornis, Siderastrea siderea, Siderastrea radians, Agaricia agaricites and higher diversity was detected in patch reefs (41 species). More abundant gorgonians were Gorgonia ventalina, Erythropodium caribaeorum, Briareum asbestinum and the sponges were Mycale laevis, Cliona aprica, Iotrochota birotulata. Main affectation to coral health was bleaching (21 species experienced bleaching in some degree and only in 51% of sites). In Rabihorcado key and Algodón Grande key, were detected higher recruit abundance. Higher corals species richness was observed in: Algodón Grande key, Manuel Gómez key, Bergantines and Palomo keys. Having these results as base, this paper proposes research corals priorities relate to growth of colonies, connectivity among populations and health status of such populations in Ana Maria gulf-Jardines de la Reina ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the spur-and-groove reefs of the Ecological Reserve Siboney-Juticí (Southeast Cuba) octocorals are one of the predominant components of the sessile fauna. Main objectives of the present paper are characterizing the composition, structure and conservation status of the octocoral communities and assessing on the prevailing environmental conditions in the study area. For data collection, six sampling sites were located every 2-3 km ranging from 12 m to 17 m depth along the spur-and-groove reefs. In each site, 22-26 lm2 quadrants were zigzag arranged every 2 m. The density of colonies was determined per site. The severity degree and predictability of environmental conditions were inferred by using the Heterogeneity and Equitability indexes, respectively. Hydrodynamic stress and the Comparative Pollution Index were also assessed. Current affectations of the octocoral communities were also determined and classified into four main categories: mechanical damage, diseases, predation and invertebrate and macroalgae overgrowth. As a result, 25 species represented by 752 colonies were recorded and Eunicea flexuosa and Gorgonia ventalina were the most abundant. The occurrence of Eunicea succinea forma succinea constituted the first report for Eastern Cuba. Site densities ranged from 3.58 +/- 1.84 to 7.58 +/- 2.16 colonies/m2 and considered from moderate to low. The biggest densities were reported at both sides of the San Juan River mouth. Despite of the composition and structure of the octocoral communities, low to high hydrodynamic stress and low and moderate levels of contamination were inferred, it is likely that these indexes could have been overestimated due to the sensitivity of the indicator species to other factors such as sedimentation. The environmental conditions were mostly favorable and stable. In general, the number of dead colonies was low and mostly caused by the detachment of the substrate and overgrowth of Millepora alcicornis. Injuries were mainly brought about by mechanical damage, followed by coenenchyme loss, predation by Cyphoma gibbosum and macroalgae overgrowth. On the other hand, negative effects by Hermodice carunculata predation, bleaching, Red Band and Black Band Disease were not observed. Among sampled species, G. ventalina colonies were the most severely damaged within the community. As a whole, octocoral communities of spur-and-groove reefs in the Ecological Reserve Siboney-Juticí showed a good conservation status.