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Dryad

Data from: Niche divergence by deep-sea octocorals in the genus Callogorgia across the continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico

Cite this dataset

Quattrini, Andrea M. et al. (2013). Data from: Niche divergence by deep-sea octocorals in the genus Callogorgia across the continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.79t6p

Abstract

Environmental variables that are correlated with depth have been suggested to be among the major forces underlying speciation in the deep sea. This study incorporated phylogenetics and ecological niche models (ENM) to examine whether congeneric species of Callogorgia (Octocorallia: Primnoidae) occupy different ecological niches across the continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), and whether this niche divergence could be important in the evolution of these closely related species. Callogorgia americana americana, C. americana delta, and C. gracilis were documented at 13 sites in the GoM (250-1000 m) from specimen collections and extensive video observations. On a first order, these species were separated by depth, with C. gracilis occurring at the shallowest sites, C. a. americana at mid-depths, and C. a. delta at the deepest sites. Callogorgia a. delta was associated with areas of increased seep activity whereas C. gracilis and C. a. americana were associated with narrow, yet warmer, temperature ranges and did not occur near cold seeps. ENM background and identity tests revealed little to no overlap in ecological niches between species. Temporal calibration of the phylogeny revealed the formation of the Isthmus of Panama was a vicariance event that may explain some of the patterns of speciation within this genus. These results elucidate the potential mechanisms for speciation in the deep sea, emphasizing both bathymetric speciation and vicariance events in the evolution of a genus across multiple regions.

Usage notes

Location

Hawaii
Gulf of Mexico
Portugal