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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 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]