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  • Book
  • © 2019

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

  • Primary source for a basic understanding of Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs)
  • First reviews of major mesophotic taxa
  • Looks into MCE’s geographical variations, similarities, differences between MCE’s and potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs
  • Covers the conservation, management and threats to MCEs and future research directions

Part of the book series: Coral Reefs of the World (CORW, volume 12)

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Table of contents (53 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. Introduction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems: Introduction and Overview

      • Richard L. Pyle, Joshua M. Copus
      Pages 3-27
  3. Regional Variation in Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 29-29
    2. Bermuda

      • Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley, Timothy Noyes, Struan R. Smith
      Pages 31-45
    3. The Bahamas and Cayman Islands

      • Marc Slattery, Michael P. Lesser
      Pages 47-56
    4. Pulley Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, USA

      • John K. Reed, Stephanie Farrington, Andy David, Stacey Harter, Shirley A. Pomponi, M. Cristina Diaz et al.
      Pages 57-69
    5. The Mesoamerican Reef

      • Erika Gress, Joshua D. Voss, Ryan J. Eckert, Gwilym Rowlands, Dominic A. Andradi-Brown
      Pages 71-84
    6. Discovery Bay, Jamaica

      • Phillip Dustan, Judith C. Lang
      Pages 85-109
    7. Puerto Rico

      • Richard S. Appeldoorn, Monica Alfaro, David L. Ballantine, Ivonne Bejarano, Hector J. Ruíz, Nikolaos V. Schizas et al.
      Pages 111-129
    8. The United States Virgin Islands

      • Tyler B. Smith, Marilyn E. Brandt, Viktor W. Brandtneris, Rosmin S. Ennis, Sarah H. Groves, Sennai Habtes et al.
      Pages 131-147
    9. Bonaire and Curaçao

      • Pedro R. Frade, Pim Bongaerts, Carole C. Baldwin, Arthur C. Trembanis, Rolf P. M. Bak, Mark J. A. Vermeij
      Pages 149-162
    10. Brazil

      • Ronaldo Bastos Francini-Filho, Viviana Márquez Velásquez, Marianna Barbosa da Silva, Marcos Rogerio Rosa, Paulo Yukio Gomes Sumida, Hudson Tercio Pinheiro et al.
      Pages 163-198
    11. The Red Sea: Israel

      • Gal Eyal, Raz Tamir, Netanel Kramer, Lee Eyal-Shaham, Yossi Loya
      Pages 199-214
    12. The Chagos Archipelago

      • Dominic A. Andradi-Brown, Zena Dinesen, Catherine E. I. Head, David M. Tickler, Gwilym Rowlands, Alex D. Rogers
      Pages 215-229
    13. Ryukyu Islands, Japan

      • Frederic Sinniger, Saki Harii, Marc Humblet, Yohei Nakamura, Hideo Ohba, Rian Prasetia
      Pages 231-247
    14. Taiwan

      • Vianney Denis, Derek Soto, Stéphane De Palmas, Yu Ting Vicky Lin, Yehuda Benayahu, Yusheng Michael Huang et al.
      Pages 249-264
    15. The Philippines

      • Patrick C. Cabaitan, Timothy Joseph R. Quimpo, Edwin E. Dumalagan Jr., Jeffrey Munar, Mary Ann C. Calleja, Ronald Dionnie D. Olavides et al.
      Pages 265-284
    16. Palau

      • Patrick L. Colin, Steven J. Lindfield
      Pages 285-299
    17. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

      • Sonia J. Rowley, T. Edward Roberts, Richard R. Coleman, Heather L. Spalding, Eugene Joseph, Mae K. L. Dorricott
      Pages 301-320

About this book

This book summarizes what is known about mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) geographically and by major taxa. MCEs are characterized by light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths ranging from 30-40 m. and extending to over 150 m. in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. They are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes, as well as specialist species unique to mesophotic depths. During the past decade, there has been an increasing scientific and management interest in MCEs expressed by the exponential increase in the number of publications studying this unique environment. Despite their close proximity to well-studied shallow reefs, and the growing evidence of their importance, our scientific knowledge of MCEs is still in its early stages. The topics covered in the book include: regional variation in MCEs; similarities and differences between mesophotic and shallow reeftaxa, biotic and abiotic conditions, biodiversity, ecology, geomorphology, and geology; potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow  reefs; MCE disturbances, conservation, and management challenges; and new technologies, key research questions/knowledge gaps, priorities, and future directions in MCE research.

Editors and Affiliations

  • George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Yossi Loya

  • National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, USA

    Kimberly A. Puglise

  • Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland Museum Network, Townsville, Australia

    Tom C.L. Bridge

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access