Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific

Abstract Spatial changes in benthic community structure have been observed across natural gradients in deep-sea ecosystems, but these patterns remain under-sampled on seamounts. Here, we identify the spatial composition and distribution of coral and sponge taxa on four sides of a single central Paci...

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Main Authors: Brian RC Kennedy, Steven Auscavitch, Timothy M. Shank, Constance Sartor, Anameere Tennaba, Alexis M. Weinnig, Randi D. Rotjan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86163-z
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author Brian RC Kennedy
Steven Auscavitch
Timothy M. Shank
Constance Sartor
Anameere Tennaba
Alexis M. Weinnig
Randi D. Rotjan
author_facet Brian RC Kennedy
Steven Auscavitch
Timothy M. Shank
Constance Sartor
Anameere Tennaba
Alexis M. Weinnig
Randi D. Rotjan
author_sort Brian RC Kennedy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Spatial changes in benthic community structure have been observed across natural gradients in deep-sea ecosystems, but these patterns remain under-sampled on seamounts. Here, we identify the spatial composition and distribution of coral and sponge taxa on four sides of a single central Pacific equatorial “model” seamount within the US EEZ surrounding the Howland and Baker unit of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. This seamount rises from 5,000 + m to mesophotic depths of 196 m, and is influenced by the Equatorial Undercurrent. Four remotely operated vehicle (ROV) transects were completed, one on each flank of the seamount. Shallower than ~ 250 m, the mesophotic seafloor was composed of scoured carbonate pavement with sediment accumulation only found in rocky depressions. Waters below 500 m hosted communities predominantly composed of octocorals, however, several coral taxa showed seamount flank preference (higher abundance on one or more flanks than the others) even though strong vertical (depth) zonation of corals and sponges was observed on all flanks. Euplectellidae, Plexauridae and ​​Chrysogorgia spp. corals each showed a distinct preference for flank. To help visualize the influence of current flow, oxygen, depth, and substrate type on the zonation of seamounts, we created an Alexander Von Humboldt-style infographic to illustrate the observed biodiversity patterns. Given the importance of seamounts to ocean biodiversity and productivity, this study is an early attempt at a holistic visualization of seamount biology that can advance new hypotheses about seamount ecology.
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spelling doaj-art-85ee756925804d378dd9c0d0adc01c6c2025-01-19T12:23:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-86163-zMulti-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial PacificBrian RC Kennedy0Steven Auscavitch1Timothy M. Shank2Constance Sartor3Anameere Tennaba4Alexis M. Weinnig5Randi D. Rotjan6Department of Biology, Boston UniversityDepartment of Biology, Boston UniversityBiology Department, Woods Hole Ocean Oceanographic InstitutionUniversity of GuamGeoScience Division ECOP Officer, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Republic of KiribatiEastern Ecological Science Center, United States Geological SurveyDepartment of Biology, Boston UniversityAbstract Spatial changes in benthic community structure have been observed across natural gradients in deep-sea ecosystems, but these patterns remain under-sampled on seamounts. Here, we identify the spatial composition and distribution of coral and sponge taxa on four sides of a single central Pacific equatorial “model” seamount within the US EEZ surrounding the Howland and Baker unit of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. This seamount rises from 5,000 + m to mesophotic depths of 196 m, and is influenced by the Equatorial Undercurrent. Four remotely operated vehicle (ROV) transects were completed, one on each flank of the seamount. Shallower than ~ 250 m, the mesophotic seafloor was composed of scoured carbonate pavement with sediment accumulation only found in rocky depressions. Waters below 500 m hosted communities predominantly composed of octocorals, however, several coral taxa showed seamount flank preference (higher abundance on one or more flanks than the others) even though strong vertical (depth) zonation of corals and sponges was observed on all flanks. Euplectellidae, Plexauridae and ​​Chrysogorgia spp. corals each showed a distinct preference for flank. To help visualize the influence of current flow, oxygen, depth, and substrate type on the zonation of seamounts, we created an Alexander Von Humboldt-style infographic to illustrate the observed biodiversity patterns. Given the importance of seamounts to ocean biodiversity and productivity, this study is an early attempt at a holistic visualization of seamount biology that can advance new hypotheses about seamount ecology.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86163-zSeamountPacific Islands HeritageDeep-sea coralVertical zonationDeep-sea spongesCommunity composition
spellingShingle Brian RC Kennedy
Steven Auscavitch
Timothy M. Shank
Constance Sartor
Anameere Tennaba
Alexis M. Weinnig
Randi D. Rotjan
Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific
Scientific Reports
Seamount
Pacific Islands Heritage
Deep-sea coral
Vertical zonation
Deep-sea sponges
Community composition
title Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific
title_full Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific
title_fullStr Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific
title_full_unstemmed Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific
title_short Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific
title_sort multi faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial pacific
topic Seamount
Pacific Islands Heritage
Deep-sea coral
Vertical zonation
Deep-sea sponges
Community composition
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86163-z
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