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Project title

Assessing deep-sea Antipatharia biodiversity, distribution and ecological role to conserve deep water ecosystems

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Galway (NUIG)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

Antipatharia, commonly known as �black corals� because of their black skeleton, are long lived, slow growing corals that can be found in all oceans. [1] Black corals of the deep NE Atlantic Ocean are poorly known. However, they are severely threatened by the gradual shift of human activities towards deeper waters. They are often taken as bycatch during deep-trawl fishing. Furthermore, studies conducted on the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (Eastern Central Pacific) showed that other activities, such as deep-sea mining, can affect their habitat composition [2]. These threats might also lead to the loss of the hosted species. To provide clear policy advice for the conservation of these important but vulnerable corals, it is necessary to understant how Antipatharia species are delimited and how they are distributed. Moreover, it is fundamental to investigate how black corals provide habitat for other species (i.e. which species live on black corals and do they use the host as habitat, as shelter or as a source of food). This research will focus on the biodiversity and distribution of deep-sea Antipatharia in the North-East Atlantic, and will investigate the relationship that occurs between these corals and the species associated with them. In particular, this study aims to: (1) model Antipatharia predicted distribution in the deep NE Atlantic, (2) use genetic techniques to separate and identify closely related species, (3) study the cold water coral community in the NE atlantic to look for the presence of coral gardens and (4) understand whether the organisms commonly found on black corals feed on them, or use them as substrates. Overall, providing new information about Antipatharia biodiversity, ecology and distribution is necessary for a better understanding of deep-sea communities and to act effectively to protect threatened ecosystems.

Grant Approved

�82,500.00

Research Hub

n/a

Research Theme

Ireland's Future Climate, its Impacts, and Adaptation Options

Start Date

01/09/2022

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/08/2025