Abstract

RUIDIAZ-RUIDIAZ, Royerin; QUIROS-RODRIGUEZ, Jorge A.  and  CAMPOS-CAMPOS, Nestor H.. Structural characterization of the coral formations in the San Antero region, Córdoba, Colombian Caribbean. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2021, vol.45, n.176, pp.709-720.  Epub Jan 30, 2022. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.1296.

We characterized the state of the coral formations in the region of San Antero, Colombian Caribbean, based on the coverage of the main benthic components such as macroalgae, sponges, zoanthids, hard substrate, and corals. For this, in February and August 2014, three sectors and seven stations located in the region were sampled. To determine the composition and coverage of each benthic component, we used the phototransect method using the Coral Point Count program (CPCe.v4.1). The photographs were taken on 0.25 x 0.25 m quadrants placed consecutively along 20 x 0.25 m bands. We registered 16 species of corals (15 scleractinians and one milleporin). Coral was the most important category in terms of coverage (45.4%), followed by macroalgae (24.3%) and abiotic substrate (20.4%). The highest coral coverage was registered in Punta Bello (51.8%) and Punta Bolívar (44.4%) while the lowest (29.3%) corresponded to Playa Blanca where also the highest macroalgae dominance occurred (1.5%). Our results indicated that coral formations in the San Antero region were in a good state, despite the low number of registered species, and that the Punta Bello and Punta Bolívar formations were in better condition than the coral community of Playa Blanca.

Keywords : Benthic categories; Composition; Coral formations; Coverage; Marine ecosystems.

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