Coral triangle: the centre of maximum marine biodiversity
The delineation of the Southeast Asian - West Pacific CMMB (Centre of Maximum Marine Biodiversity) is studied through comparable biodiversity assessments of selected target taxa. The origin of the CMMB is studied through phylogenetic biogeographical analyses of these taxa in combination with data on sea level fluctuations, currents and plate tectonics. If possible, the geological history of the CMMB is studied with the help of paleontological information. Habitat diversity is another important factor in regional species richness, which is clearly reflected in the presence of unique ecosystems, such as marine lakes, which harbor many rare and endemic species.
The Mushroom Coral Triangle (Fungiidae centre of the maximum species richness) projected on lithospheric plates.
Selected references
Best, M.B., B.W. Hoeksema, W. Moka, H. Moll, Suharsono & I.N. Sutarna, 1989. Recent scleractinian coral species collected during the Snellius-II Expedition. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 23: 107-115.
Fransen, C.H.J.M., 2002. Taxonomy, phylogeny, historical biogeography, and historical ecology of the genus Pontonia Latreille (Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridea, Palaemonidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen Leiden 336: 1-433.
Fransen, C.H.J.M., 2007. The Influence of Land Barriers on the Evolution of Pontoniine Shrimps (Crustacea, Decapoda) Living in Association with Molluscs and Solitary Ascidians, in: Renema, W. (ed.), Biogeography, Time and Place: Distributions, Barriers, and Islands, pp. 103-115. Springer, Dordrecht.
Hoeksema, B.W., 1992. The position of northern New Guinea in the center of marine benthic diversity: a reef coral perspective. Proceedings 7th International Coral Reef Symposium, Guam 2: 720-727.
Hoeksema, B.W., 2007. Delineation of the Indo-Malayan Centre of Maximum Marine Biodiversity: The Coral Triangle. In: W. Renema (ed.) Biogeography, Time and Place: Distributions, Barriers and Islands, pp 117-178. Springer, Dordrecht.
Hoeksema, B.W. & K.S. Putra, 2002. The reef coral fauna of Bali in the centre of marine diversity. Proceedings 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali 1: 173-178.
Wallace, C.C., G. Paulay, B.W. Hoeksema, D.R. Bellwood, P.A. Hutchings, P.H. Barber, M. Erdmann & J. Wolstenholme, 2002. Nature and origins of unique high diversity reef faunas in the Bay of Tomini, Central Sulawesi: The ultimate "centre of diversity? Proceedings 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali 1: 185-192.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009