Octocorals and antipatharians in the mesophotic rocky reefs of Colombian Pacific

Study Extent

"La Mina” (6°41´11.868” N, 77°32´57.588” W) in the north of the Gulf of Cupica, and “Amargal” (5°34´47.352” N, 77°30´50.76” W) in Cabo Corrientes were two small sampled “peaks” arising from around 60 m deep in the seafloor to 10-20 m deep, and located about 1 km from the coastline in the northern Colombian Pacific (Chocó).

Sampling

An underwater exploration of two rocky reef sites using SCUBA were made to assess the composition of the coral (octocorals and antipatharians ) mesophotic community on each site, coral colony counts were made by two researchers in three 10x1 m line transects (10m2) horizontally disposed. A third diver was responsible for digital imagery and coral samples collection. Average density (colonies/m2) of octocorals and antipatharians were calculated for each site and for the entire mesophotic coral community of the northern Chocó.

Quality Control

All of the species included in this dataset have vouchers deposited in the Museo de Historia Natural Marina de Colombia (MHNMC) of INVEMAR. The collection codes are also given for future comparisons or verifications.

Method steps

1. To assess the composition of the coral (octocorals and antipatharians ) mesophotic community on each site, coral colony counts were made by two researchers in three 10x1 m line transects (10m2) horizontally disposed. A third diver was responsible for digital imagery and coral samples collection. Average density (colonies/m2) of octocorals and antipatharians were calculated for each site and for the entire mesophotic coral community of the northern Chocó.
2. Species identification were performed in situ and specimens were collected for later validation. Before collection, photo of each colony was done with and without scale, then they were deposited in a tagged "Ziploc" bag. The colonies were air dried for preservation and were identified using the morphological characters of the colonies and the characteristics and composition of the sclerites (Bayer, 1961; Breedy and Guzmán, 2002). Measurements of the taxonomic characters of the colonies were performed using a Vernier digital caliper. In order to obtain the sclerites, a small bit of tissue was immersed in sodium hypochlorite (household bleach). The sclerites were examined and measured with a microgrid in an optical microscope (Carl Zeiss Primostar). The specimens collected were deposited in the Museo de Historia Natural Marina de Colombia – (MHNMC) of INVEMAR
3. Organization of the data according to the defined fields: taxonID, scientificNameID, locality, locationID and coordinates, catalogNumber, collectionCode, basisOfRecord, bibliographicCitation, References, institutionCode, eventDate, eventRemarks

In this dataset are listed ten octocorals species in the Ellisellidae, Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae families and one black coral species in the Myriopathidae family found in the mesophotic rocky reefs of the Colombian Pacific (Chocó).

1. Anthozoa
   rank: class
2. Alcyonacea
   rank: order
3. Antipatharia
   rank: order
4. Ellisellidae
   rank: family
5. Gorgoniidae
   rank: family
6. Myriopathidae
   rank: family
7. Plexauridae
   rank: family
8. Ellisella limbaughi
   rank: species
9. Heterogorgia verrucosa
   rank: species
10. Leptogorgia alba
    rank: species
11. Leptogorgia cortesi
    rank: species
12. Muricea fruticosa
    rank: species
13. Muricea plantaginea
    rank: species
14. Muricea squarrosa
    rank: species
15. Muricea subtilis
    rank: species
16. Myriopathes panamensis
    rank: species
17. Pacifigorgia eximia
    rank: species
18. Pacifigorgia marviva
    rank: species
19. Pacifigorgia senta
    rank: species
20. Pacifigorgia
    rank: genus
21. Psammogorgia
    rank: genus

Two sites located about 1 km from the coastline, “La Mina” (6°41´11.868” N, 77°32´57.588” W) in the north of the Gulf of Cupica, and “Amargal” (5°34´47.352” N, 77°30´50.76” W) in Cabo Corrientes, represents the two sample sites in the northern Colombian Pacific (Chocó).