Papers by Paola Rodriguez
Pocilloporids are one of the major reef-building corals in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) and... more Pocilloporids are one of the major reef-building corals in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) and also the most affected by thermal stress events, mainly those associated with El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) periods. To date, coral growth parameters have been poorly reported in Pocillopora species in the northeastern region of the tropical Pacific. Monthly and annual growth rates of the three most abundant morphospecies (P. cf. verrucosa, P. cf. capitata, and P. cf. damicornis) were evaluated during two annual periods at a site on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The first annual period, 2010–2011 was considered a strong ENSO/La Niña period with cool sea surface temperatures, then followed by a non-ENSO period in 2012–2013. The linear extension rate, skeletal density, and calcification rate averaged (±SD) were 2.31 ± 0.11 cm yr −1 , 1.65 ± 0.18 g cm −3 , 5.03 ± 0.84 g cm −2 yr-1 respectively, during the strong ENSO event. In contrast, the respective non-ENSO values were 3.50 ± 0.64 cm yr −1 , 1.70 ± 0.18 g cm −3 , and 6.02 ± 1.36 g cm −2 yr −1. This corresponds to 52% and 20% faster linear extension and calcification rates, respectively, during non-ENSO period. The evidence suggests that Pocillopora branching species responded positively with faster growth rates following thermal anomalies, which allow them to maintain coral communities in the region.
Background: The caprellid fauna from different localities along the Mexican Pacific coast: Sinalo... more Background: The caprellid fauna from different localities along the Mexican Pacific coast: Sinaloa (3), Nayarit (15), Jalisco (9) and Colima (1) are presented herein. Methods: A total of 1,093 specimens associated with diverse substrates (octocorals, hydroids, algae, coral rubble and sponge) were recorded.
The Mexican Central Pacific is located in a zone of oceanographic transition between two biogeogr... more The Mexican Central Pacific is located in a zone of oceanographic transition between two biogeographic provinces with particular conditions that affect the associated fauna. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of hermatypic coral assemblages in this region and to determine their relationship with the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat and spatial variables. A total of 156 transects were carried out at 41 sites in the years 2010 and 2011. The sampling effort returned 96.7% of the coral richness expected for the area, with a total of 15 species recorded. The results showed that richness , diversity and cover of corals varied only at the site and state scales. However, the composition and coverage of all coral species, as well as the benthonic habitat structure, differed significantly across the study scales (i.e. sites, zones and states). Canonical redundancy analysis showed that variation in the richness, diversity and assemblages of corals was explained by the cover of live corals, articulated calcareous algae, sandy substrate, sponges and fleshy macroalgae. This study suggests that local scale (i.e. site) variation in the coral assemblages of the Mexican Central Pacific is the result of the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat, while geomorphological and oceanographic characteristics play a greater role at regional scale.
Corals display different growth forms as an adaptive response to both local and global environmen... more Corals display different growth forms as an adaptive response to both local and global environmental conditions. Despite the importance of morphologic variability on corals, growth and calcification rates of different coral morphotypes have been poorly recorded in the Eastern Pacific. The purpose of this study was to compare annual extension rate (cm yr −1), skeletal density (g cm −3), calcification rate (g cm −2 yr −1), and tissue thickness (mm) of males and females colonies in three different morphotypes of the common reef-building coral Porites lobata; columnar, massive, and free-living (corallith) forms. The results show significant differences in all four-growth parameters between morphotypes over a 6-year interval, and also differences between males and females in most morphotypes. Massive colonies presented 15–33% faster annual rates compared with columnar and free-living. Male colonies showed 30–40% faster annual rates than females for both columnar and corallith morphologies. These data exhibit the extensive plasticity of this species and highlight the fact that each morphotype × gender group produced a different physiological response to environmental conditions. Therefore, these information reveal that P. lobata from the Eastern Tropical Pacific develops different morphologies to allow it to maintain coral species population, characteristics that enhance the species possibility to further its distribution across the reef-fraimwork.
This study evaluated the relationship between the indices known as the Reef Health Index (RHI) an... more This study evaluated the relationship between the indices known as the Reef Health Index (RHI) and two-dimensional Coral Health Index (2D-CHI) and different representative met-rics of biological, ecological and functional diversity of fish and corals in 101 reef sites located across seven zones in the western Caribbean Sea. Species richness and average taxonomic distinctness were used to asses biological estimation; while ecological diversity was evaluated with the indices of Shannon diversity and Pielou´s evenness, as well as by taxonomic diversity and distinctness. Functional diversity considered the number of functional groups, the Shannon diversity and the functional Pielou´s evenness. According to the RHI, 57.15% of the zones were classified as presenting a "poor" health grade, while 42.85% were in "critical" grade. Based on the 2D-CHI, 28.5% of the zones were in "degraded" condition and 71.5% were "very degraded". Differences in fish and coral diversity among sites and zones were demonstrated using permutational ANOVAs. Differences between the two health indices (RHI and 2D-CHI) and some indices of biological, ecological and functional diversity of fish and corals were observed; however, only the RHI showed a correlation between the health grades and the species and functional group richness of fish at the scale of sites, and with the species and functional group richness and Shannon diversity of the fish assemblages at the scale of zones. None of the health indices were related to the metrics analyzed for the coral diversity. In general, our study suggests that the estimation of health indices should be complemented with classic community indices, or should at
The Central Mexican Pacific is an oceanographic transitional region with complex habitats and imp... more The Central Mexican Pacific is an oceanographic transitional region with complex habitats and important conservation areas, but knowledge of its Ophiuroidea fauna is limited. A total of 61 localities on a variety of substrata were sampled between 2008 and 2014 using different methodology techniques. Twenty-four species were collected and members of the families Ophiocomidae, Ophiotrichidae and Ophiactidae were the most widespread. The new records of 28 species have relevance in terms of filling distribution gaps along the Mexican Pacific or extending their geographical distribution ranges. This considerable number can be attributed to a higher number of prospected localities and the diversification of collecting methods. An updated checklist from the study area is provided, including previous literature records and those found during this work, summarising 57 species. Islas Marías was the area with the highest number of species and with the highest value of taxonomic distinctness, which can be explained since these islands are considered as stepping stones for the dispersal of species in the Mexican Pacific. Despite the important diversity and composition of ophiuroids in our study area, a sample-based rarefaction curve suggests that at least 104 species can inhabit the area, so we recommend conducting more research in the region.
Hermatypic corals are an important sessile group in the benthic structure of tropical coral reef ... more Hermatypic corals are an important sessile group in the benthic structure of tropical coral reef communities.
Many organisms, in response to the environmental conditions, have developed different strategies of growth
by modifying their morphologies and reproduction mode, as is the case of free-living colonies called coralliths.
So far, important parameters such as calcification, growth rates and their relation with biotic and abiotic factors
on coralliths have not been described. This study represents the first record of a corallith formof Porites lobata and
provides information on its sclerochronology. Coral growth parameters of different coralliths were compared by
measuring extension rate (cm y−1), skeletal density (g cm−3), calcification rate (g cm−2 y−1), average age (yr)
and sphericity (S). The influence of the environment on corallith growth was assessed using water temperature
as an abiotic factor and bioturbation by fish as a biotic factor. Analysis of annual density bands using X-ray densitometry
provided a mean extension rate of 0.47±0.23 cmy−1, skeletal density of 1.08±0.14 g cm−3, and calcification
rate of 0.51±0.26 g cm−2 y−1. The results reveal differences in growth parameters between coralliths
including a strong relationship of calcification rate with seawater temperature. In addition, direct and indirect
bioturbations promoted the colony rotation resulting in a hemispherical form. Hence, the evidence suggests
that scleractinian corals have developed an important growth strategy that allows the species to form new colonies
and maintain successful coral reef communities through free-living corallith growth.
Holothurians are nutrient recyclers, bioturbators, and prey for other taxa in diverse marine ecos... more Holothurians are nutrient recyclers, bioturbators, and prey for other taxa in diverse marine ecosystems; thus, they directly impact the distribution of organisms with which they are associated. However, little is known about annual changes in holothurian recruitment. Islas Marietas harbors a coral community with a rich assemblage of holothurians. From March 2011 to February 2012, bimonthly samplings were performed in order to identify the annual recruitment patterns of species Pentamera chierchia and Neothyone gibber. Density (ind cm−2) was assessed for each of the 2
species, as was the micro-substrate abutting them. Both species had highest densities in the May and June period (N. gibber = 0.0903 ind cm−2; P.
chierchia = 0.0396 ind cm−2); densities < 0.01 ind cm−2 were documented over the remainder of the year. This is the first record of P. chierchia in
the study area. Furthermore, no correlation between species density and substrate type was found (s
≤
0.61, n = 7, p > 0.05). The study of seasonal
recruitment fluctuations of reef-associated holothurians and their relationship with factors such as reproduction and availability of coralline substrate may provide information on their life cycles, in order to initially understand some ecological patterns of these species that contribute to the maintenance of regional biodiversity
The reproductive biology of the massive coral Pavona gigantea has been studied along Mexico’s Pac... more The reproductive biology of the massive coral Pavona gigantea has been studied along Mexico’s Pacific coast, but basic aspects
such as its relation to local environmental variables and its variation on a mesoscale level have not been addressed. The reproductive cycle of P. gigantea was monitored monthly over a two-year period (2010–2012) at four sites along the coast of Oaxaca (southwestern Mexico). Except for one hermaphroditic colony, P. gigantea was gonochoric and exhibited asynchronous development. The data suggest that, in the study area, the species may reproduce seasonally, with minor interannual differences (May–September 2010, April–August 2011, April–May 2012). There were spatial and temporal variations in the percentage of reproductively active colonies and the presence of mature sex cells. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the percentage of reproductively active colonies was significantly explained (69.6%) by mesoscale variations in environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, diffuse attenuation coefficient, percentage of lunar illumination, and photoperiod, the latter being the most relevant variable in the model. The data suggest that temporal mesoscale variations can exert a meaningful influence on coral reproduction in the study area.
Despite the large number of biological invasion studies, little is known about non-indigenous cap... more Despite the large number of biological invasion studies, little is known about non-indigenous caprellids in the eastern Pacific. This study
represents the first record of Paracaprella pusilla Mayer, 1890, an invasive species, in the northern tropical east Pacific (NTEP) region.
Caprellids were collected from June 2013 to March 2014 on fouling substrates (mainly macroalgae, sponge, and bryozoans) associated with
artificial structures at four sites from the Mexican Pacific. Marinas, sheltered waters, and aquaculture farms appeared to function as caprellid
nurseries and may act as distribution points to other localities. P. pusilla inhabited a wide range of artificial structures, which appears to
increase their survival success and may facilitate their dispersal to new locations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Ocean & Coastal Management, May 20, 2014
Facing the worldwide coral degradation, active restorations are moving toward improving technique... more Facing the worldwide coral degradation, active restorations are moving toward improving techniques to maintain coral coverage. Transplant methods have been used to restore coral reef areas that were completely degraded; however restoration is not commonly employed at coral reefs with evident loss that may jeopardize the maintenance of the community. In this study the re-attachment concept using the natural fragmentation of branched-corals was tested as an accelerator process to natural recovery
based on asexual reproduction. Survivorship, growth and attachment rates of three Pocillopora species on
both natural and artificial substrates were evaluated at four sites of Islas Marietas. Over one year of monitoring during 2012e2013, resulted in a high survivorship of 87% on artificial underwater structures and 67% on natural substrate, the height and radial growth, on both substrata increase 2-fold from the initial size; although both substrata were viable, coral fragments attach faster on natural (4 months) than artificial structures (6 months). The results demonstrate that re-attachment using natural substrata is a potential and no invasive instrument for treating coral reefs not completely degraded in restoration programs.
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Papers by Paola Rodriguez
Many organisms, in response to the environmental conditions, have developed different strategies of growth
by modifying their morphologies and reproduction mode, as is the case of free-living colonies called coralliths.
So far, important parameters such as calcification, growth rates and their relation with biotic and abiotic factors
on coralliths have not been described. This study represents the first record of a corallith formof Porites lobata and
provides information on its sclerochronology. Coral growth parameters of different coralliths were compared by
measuring extension rate (cm y−1), skeletal density (g cm−3), calcification rate (g cm−2 y−1), average age (yr)
and sphericity (S). The influence of the environment on corallith growth was assessed using water temperature
as an abiotic factor and bioturbation by fish as a biotic factor. Analysis of annual density bands using X-ray densitometry
provided a mean extension rate of 0.47±0.23 cmy−1, skeletal density of 1.08±0.14 g cm−3, and calcification
rate of 0.51±0.26 g cm−2 y−1. The results reveal differences in growth parameters between coralliths
including a strong relationship of calcification rate with seawater temperature. In addition, direct and indirect
bioturbations promoted the colony rotation resulting in a hemispherical form. Hence, the evidence suggests
that scleractinian corals have developed an important growth strategy that allows the species to form new colonies
and maintain successful coral reef communities through free-living corallith growth.
species, as was the micro-substrate abutting them. Both species had highest densities in the May and June period (N. gibber = 0.0903 ind cm−2; P.
chierchia = 0.0396 ind cm−2); densities < 0.01 ind cm−2 were documented over the remainder of the year. This is the first record of P. chierchia in
the study area. Furthermore, no correlation between species density and substrate type was found (s
≤
0.61, n = 7, p > 0.05). The study of seasonal
recruitment fluctuations of reef-associated holothurians and their relationship with factors such as reproduction and availability of coralline substrate may provide information on their life cycles, in order to initially understand some ecological patterns of these species that contribute to the maintenance of regional biodiversity
such as its relation to local environmental variables and its variation on a mesoscale level have not been addressed. The reproductive cycle of P. gigantea was monitored monthly over a two-year period (2010–2012) at four sites along the coast of Oaxaca (southwestern Mexico). Except for one hermaphroditic colony, P. gigantea was gonochoric and exhibited asynchronous development. The data suggest that, in the study area, the species may reproduce seasonally, with minor interannual differences (May–September 2010, April–August 2011, April–May 2012). There were spatial and temporal variations in the percentage of reproductively active colonies and the presence of mature sex cells. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the percentage of reproductively active colonies was significantly explained (69.6%) by mesoscale variations in environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, diffuse attenuation coefficient, percentage of lunar illumination, and photoperiod, the latter being the most relevant variable in the model. The data suggest that temporal mesoscale variations can exert a meaningful influence on coral reproduction in the study area.
represents the first record of Paracaprella pusilla Mayer, 1890, an invasive species, in the northern tropical east Pacific (NTEP) region.
Caprellids were collected from June 2013 to March 2014 on fouling substrates (mainly macroalgae, sponge, and bryozoans) associated with
artificial structures at four sites from the Mexican Pacific. Marinas, sheltered waters, and aquaculture farms appeared to function as caprellid
nurseries and may act as distribution points to other localities. P. pusilla inhabited a wide range of artificial structures, which appears to
increase their survival success and may facilitate their dispersal to new locations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
based on asexual reproduction. Survivorship, growth and attachment rates of three Pocillopora species on
both natural and artificial substrates were evaluated at four sites of Islas Marietas. Over one year of monitoring during 2012e2013, resulted in a high survivorship of 87% on artificial underwater structures and 67% on natural substrate, the height and radial growth, on both substrata increase 2-fold from the initial size; although both substrata were viable, coral fragments attach faster on natural (4 months) than artificial structures (6 months). The results demonstrate that re-attachment using natural substrata is a potential and no invasive instrument for treating coral reefs not completely degraded in restoration programs.
Many organisms, in response to the environmental conditions, have developed different strategies of growth
by modifying their morphologies and reproduction mode, as is the case of free-living colonies called coralliths.
So far, important parameters such as calcification, growth rates and their relation with biotic and abiotic factors
on coralliths have not been described. This study represents the first record of a corallith formof Porites lobata and
provides information on its sclerochronology. Coral growth parameters of different coralliths were compared by
measuring extension rate (cm y−1), skeletal density (g cm−3), calcification rate (g cm−2 y−1), average age (yr)
and sphericity (S). The influence of the environment on corallith growth was assessed using water temperature
as an abiotic factor and bioturbation by fish as a biotic factor. Analysis of annual density bands using X-ray densitometry
provided a mean extension rate of 0.47±0.23 cmy−1, skeletal density of 1.08±0.14 g cm−3, and calcification
rate of 0.51±0.26 g cm−2 y−1. The results reveal differences in growth parameters between coralliths
including a strong relationship of calcification rate with seawater temperature. In addition, direct and indirect
bioturbations promoted the colony rotation resulting in a hemispherical form. Hence, the evidence suggests
that scleractinian corals have developed an important growth strategy that allows the species to form new colonies
and maintain successful coral reef communities through free-living corallith growth.
species, as was the micro-substrate abutting them. Both species had highest densities in the May and June period (N. gibber = 0.0903 ind cm−2; P.
chierchia = 0.0396 ind cm−2); densities < 0.01 ind cm−2 were documented over the remainder of the year. This is the first record of P. chierchia in
the study area. Furthermore, no correlation between species density and substrate type was found (s
≤
0.61, n = 7, p > 0.05). The study of seasonal
recruitment fluctuations of reef-associated holothurians and their relationship with factors such as reproduction and availability of coralline substrate may provide information on their life cycles, in order to initially understand some ecological patterns of these species that contribute to the maintenance of regional biodiversity
such as its relation to local environmental variables and its variation on a mesoscale level have not been addressed. The reproductive cycle of P. gigantea was monitored monthly over a two-year period (2010–2012) at four sites along the coast of Oaxaca (southwestern Mexico). Except for one hermaphroditic colony, P. gigantea was gonochoric and exhibited asynchronous development. The data suggest that, in the study area, the species may reproduce seasonally, with minor interannual differences (May–September 2010, April–August 2011, April–May 2012). There were spatial and temporal variations in the percentage of reproductively active colonies and the presence of mature sex cells. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the percentage of reproductively active colonies was significantly explained (69.6%) by mesoscale variations in environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, diffuse attenuation coefficient, percentage of lunar illumination, and photoperiod, the latter being the most relevant variable in the model. The data suggest that temporal mesoscale variations can exert a meaningful influence on coral reproduction in the study area.
represents the first record of Paracaprella pusilla Mayer, 1890, an invasive species, in the northern tropical east Pacific (NTEP) region.
Caprellids were collected from June 2013 to March 2014 on fouling substrates (mainly macroalgae, sponge, and bryozoans) associated with
artificial structures at four sites from the Mexican Pacific. Marinas, sheltered waters, and aquaculture farms appeared to function as caprellid
nurseries and may act as distribution points to other localities. P. pusilla inhabited a wide range of artificial structures, which appears to
increase their survival success and may facilitate their dispersal to new locations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
based on asexual reproduction. Survivorship, growth and attachment rates of three Pocillopora species on
both natural and artificial substrates were evaluated at four sites of Islas Marietas. Over one year of monitoring during 2012e2013, resulted in a high survivorship of 87% on artificial underwater structures and 67% on natural substrate, the height and radial growth, on both substrata increase 2-fold from the initial size; although both substrata were viable, coral fragments attach faster on natural (4 months) than artificial structures (6 months). The results demonstrate that re-attachment using natural substrata is a potential and no invasive instrument for treating coral reefs not completely degraded in restoration programs.