Coral reefs worldwide are facing multiple severe stressors leading to ecosystem degradation, but local extinctions of species are not well documented. Here, we track the diversity of Pocilloporidae Gray, 1840 coral species-many of which are known to be sensitive to environmental disturbances-on Singapore reefs through time, integrating information from taxonomically verified museum specimens, careful examination of the literature, and DNA sequences. We found that more Pocilloporidae species were detected in the past than at present. A total of five species were historically recorded under Pocillopora Lamarck, 1816; Seriatopora Lamarck, 1816; and Stylophora Schweigger, 1820. Among the five species, only Pocillopora acuta Lamarck, 1816 appears to remain on Singapore reefs. The absence of Seriatopora for over half a century and the recent losses of Stylophora and the other species of Pocillopora are likely caused by habitat loss and other stressors associated with coastal urbanization, which have been further exacerbated by recent bleaching events.
1.Natl Univ Singapore, Dept Biol Sci, 16 Sci Dr 4, Singapore 117558, Singapore 2.Natl Univ Singapore, Trop Marine Sci Inst, 18 Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore 119227, Singapore 3.King Abdullah Univ Sci & Technol, Red Sea Res Ctr, Bldg 2 Level 2,Room 2217-WS02, Thuwal 239556900, Saudi Arabia 4.Natl Pk Board, Natl Biodivers Ctr, Coastal & Marine Branch, Singapore 259569, Singapore
Recommended Citation:
Poquita-Du, Rosa Celia,Quek, Zheng Bin Randolph,Jain, Sudhanshi Sanjeev,et al. Last species standing: loss of Pocilloporidae corals associated with coastal urbanization in a tropical city state[J]. MARINE BIODIVERSITY,2019-01-01,49(4):1727-1741