Biodiversity of the Gulf of MexicoBiodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity of the Gulf of MexicoBiodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico

Regional Affiliate CoML ProjectRegional Affiliate CoML Project

Goals:Goals: • Census/inventory all biota• Book and Web• Determine species

− distribution− depths− habitats− literature

• Determine taxonomic expertise• Determine gaps in knowledge

bybyWes TunnellWes Tunnell

Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico StudiesHarte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico StudiesTexas A&M University-Corpus ChristiTexas A&M University-Corpus Christi

2007 Scientific Results 2007 Scientific Results

• ~15,500 species in 38 phyla/divisions~15,500 species in 38 phyla/divisions• 77 chapters (taxa)77 chapters (taxa)• 138 authors/co-authors138 authors/co-authors• 71 institutions71 institutions• 14 countries14 countries

Data compilation completedData compilation completed

• September 2007September 2007• Possible publication in late 2008Possible publication in late 2008

Submitted to Texas A&M University PressSubmitted to Texas A&M University Press

H. MoodyH. Moody

H. MoodyH. Moody

2007 Scientific Results 2007 Scientific Results

Gulf of Mexico – Origin, Waters, and Biota Gulf of Mexico – Origin, Waters, and Biota (50 – year update of Bulletin 89: 1954)(50 – year update of Bulletin 89: 1954)

• Economics Economics (May 2007)(May 2007)

• Geology Geology (September 2007)(September 2007)

• Biota Biota (September 2007)(September 2007)

• Ecosystem-based Management Ecosystem-based Management (November 2007)(November 2007)

• Physical Oceanography Physical Oceanography (2008)(2008)

• Chemical Oceanography Chemical Oceanography (2009)(2009)

• Human Issues Human Issues (2009)(2009)

Diversity Diversity

Comparison of Selected Comparison of Selected Marine Species InventoriesMarine Species Inventories

Europe 26,927 21.8 million km² Costello et al. (2001)

Hawaii 6,150 2.2 million km² Eldredge (2006)

Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico 15,50015,500 1.5 million km²1.5 million km² This project (2007)This project (2007)

South Africa 10,836 576,000 km² Gibbons (1999)

China 20,000+ No Data Huang (2001)

Guam 6,172 No Data Paulay (2003)

Geographic Region

CompilerGeographic Size

Total No. Species

Unknown: of 38 phyla/divisions range of unknown species Unknown: of 38 phyla/divisions range of unknown species varies from 0% (reptiles, mammals) to 100% varies from 0% (reptiles, mammals) to 100% (nematomorphs, loriciferans) (nematomorphs, loriciferans)

Taxon Habitat-Biology

Depth (m) Overall geographic range

GOM range

References/Endnotes

Phylum: Cnidaria

Subphylum: Medusozoa

Class: Hydrozoa

Order: Anthoathecata

Family: Cordylophoridae

Cordylophora caspia (Pallas, 1771)

ben, est, hsb, nid

0–5 BF, SE, CA, NE, EA, IO, WP, EP

nw, ne

21, 22, 26, 28, 47

Corydendrium parasiticum (Linnaeus, 1767)

ben, hsb 1–127 SE, CA, BE, EA, IO, WP, EP

nw, ne

36

Rhizogeton sterreri (Calder, 1988)

ben, epi, hsb 0–1 SE, BE ne 23, 34, 40

Turritopsis fascicularis (Fraser, 1943)

ben, hsb 1–329 SE, CA, BE ne, se 21, 23, 27, 47

Turritopsis nutricula (McCrady, 1857)

ben, bns, hsb 0–128 SE, CA, BE, NE, SA, EA, IO, WP, EP

nw, ne, se

21, 23, 36, 47

Example of Checklist: (Calder-Hydroids)Example of Checklist: (Calder-Hydroids)

Distribution Distribution

Abundance Abundance

Gulf of Mexico Diversity Project Gulf of Mexico Diversity Project Did Not Deal withDid Not Deal with

AbundanceAbundance(due to variation in LME)(due to variation in LME)

TaxonNo. of

Species 1954

No. of Species

2006

No. of Endemic

Species 2006

No. of Non-

indigenous Species 2006

Fungi (Gonzales) NL 54 1 ?

Cyanophytes (Leon-Tejera) 4 55 ? ?

Dinoflagellates (Faust) 24 (36) 648 ? ?

Foraminiferans (Sen Gupta) 160 951 35 ?

Sponges (Rutzler) 13 330 110 ?

Nematodes (Hope) 75 190 126 64

Example of Taxa TabulationsExample of Taxa Tabulations

Steps Toward Project Synthesis for 2010 Steps Toward Project Synthesis for 2010

Questions to be asked in Questions to be asked in Phase II (Digital Phase)Phase II (Digital Phase)

Synthesis Outputs Synthesis Outputs

Paper being developed for Paper being developed for ScienceScience or or NatureNature on overall project.on overall project.

Synthesis will come in next phase:Synthesis will come in next phase:• Phase I – concept, tabulation of data, book• Phase II – conversion to digital/database

– placement on World Wide Web – GulfBase (

www.gulfbase.org) – OBIS (www.iobis.org) (?) – synthesis, analysis

Photos: F. MoretzsohnPhotos: F. Moretzsohn

Visualization & Communication Visualization & Communication

Gulf of Mexico Distribution/Boundaries

Science ImpactScience Impact

2003 Questions2003 Questions

Science Impacts I Science Impacts I

• What do we know now about Gulf of Mexico biodiversity?

• How many species reside in the Gulf of Mexico (LME)?

• Which species are endangered? Threatened? Invasive? Extinct?

• Which species are in which habitat?

• What is the distribution of each species?

• What taxonomic and ecologic literature is available?

• Who are the taxonomic authorities for Gulf species?

• Where focus future efforts – taxonomically, geographically?

Science Impacts II Science Impacts II

Benefits and Uses:Benefits and Uses:• Access checklist 24/7• Utilize full bibliographic database of all species• Use checklist to determine species/taxon distribution by depth, geographic location, habitat

• Identify knowledge gaps by taxa, geographic region, habitat• Focus research towards knowledge gaps• Utilize data to establish MPAs• Utilize for EIS preparation• Follow trends in threatened, endangered, and invasive species• Map patterns of species richness• Provide consistent taxonomy• Use for conservation and management• Update or post new information immediately and at low cost

Societal Impact of Results to Date Societal Impact of Results to Date

• Development of Invasive Species “Early Warning System” with NOAA, HRI, TPWD

• Invasive Species Initiative on oil and gas platforms with SERC and HRI

Project Data Available in OBIS Project Data Available in OBIS

None!

Will it be?

H. MoodyH. Moody

Next Steps Next Steps

• Phase IIPhase II • conversion to digital/database (2008)• placement on GulfBase (late 2008)• multiple analyses and applications (2009-2010)

M. WickstenM. Wicksten

H. MoodyH. Moody

H. MoodyH. Moody

Limits to Knowledge Limits to Knowledge

In Prep!In Prep!??

Questions?Questions?