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A new threat to local marine biodiversity: filamentous mats proliferating at mesophotic depths off Rapa Nui

2021; PeerJ, Inc.; Volume: 9; Linguagem: Inglês

10.7717/peerj.12052

2167-8359

Javier Sellanes, Matthias Gorny, Germán Zapata‐Hernández, Gonzalo Álvarez, Práxedes Muñoz, Fadia Tala,

Marine Biology and Ecology Research

Mesophotic and deeper habitats (∼40 to 350 m in depth) around Rapa Nui (Easter Island) were investigated using a remotely operated vehicle. We observed extensive fields of filamentous cyanobacteria-like mats covering sandy substrates and mostly dead mesophotic Leptoseris spp. reefs. These mats covered up to 100% of the seafloor off Hanga Roa, the main village on the island, located on its western side. The highest mortality of corals was observed at depths between 70 and 95 m in this area. Healthy Leptoseris reefs were documented off the northern and southeastern sides of the island, which are also the least populated. A preliminary morphologic analysis of samples of the mats indicated that the assemblage is composed of at least four filamentous taxa, including two cyanobacteria (cf. Lyngbya sp. and Pseudoanabaena sp.), a brown alga ( Ectocarpus sp.), and a green alga ( Cladophora sp.). An ongoing eutrophication process is suggested as a potential driver of the proliferation of these filamentous mats off Hanga Roa village.