A survey of the scleractinian corals at Mermaid, Scott, and Seringapatam Reefs, Western Australia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 7 years ago

ABSTRACT – A diverse assemblage of scleractinian species was recorded during a rapid assessment of the shallow water coral taxa of Mermaid, Scott and Seringapatam Reefs. All taxa were predominately widespread Indo-Pacific species that present clear affinities with coral assemblages of Ashmore Reef and the Indonesian provinces to the north. A total of 269 scleractinian species from 57 genera in 14 families were recorded, comprised of 211 species at Mermaid Reef, 224 species at South Scott Reef, 201 species at North Scott, and 159 species at Seringapatam. The study yielded 22 new distribution records for Mermaid Reef, 18 new distribution records for Scott-Seringapatam, one new record for Western Australia (Fungia moluccensis), and one new record for the Rowley-Scott region (Montipora digitata, previously recorded from Ashmore Reef). Multivariate analyses indicated there were distinct communities within and among reefs associated with the reef front, lagoon, and intertidal reef flat habitats.