A phylogenetic approach to octocoral community structure in the deep Gulf of Mexico

摘要: Abstract Deep-sea communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances, as fishing, hydrocarbon exploration and extraction, mining activities extend into deeper water. Negative impacts from such were recently documented in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), where Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused substantial damage a deep-water octocoral community. Although faunal checklist numerous museum records currently available for entire GoM, local-scale diversity assemblage structure remains unknown, particularly deep On series recent cruises (2008–2011) using remotely operated vehicles, 435 octocorals collected 33 sites (250–2500 m) northern GoM. To elucidate species boundaries, extended mitochondrial barcode (COI+igr1+msh) was successfully amplified sequenced 422 these specimens, yielding total 64 haplotypes representing at least 52 species. Further, 29% either previously not known occur GoM (12 species) or represent new (at three species). Overall, richness each site fairly low (1–12 spp.). The greatest occurred shallowest (