The present study records the 2011 typhoon damage of the scleractinian coral communities dominated by Acropora horrida (Dana, 1846) at Nanhanari, off Kumejima Island. When the Nanhanari coral communities first reported in 2010, it showed very high coral coverage, especially between the depths of 25 and 35 m. After several typhoons hit central Ryukyu Islands in 2011, we observed that the coral coverage decreased as low as 20-30% in some area. Most of colonies were damaged, dead, or even covered with algae/cyanobacteria. Although it has not well studied how much typhoons effect mesophotic coral communities, the present study shows even communities at the depth of 30-35 m can be suffered from strong typhoons. While considerable typhoon damages were occurred, we observed that fragmented and detached colonies had been reattached to substrates or fused with other branches. This may be suggesting that the A. horrida-dominant coral communities can be recovered from typhoon damages relatively quickly. In addition, we could not find any coral damage caused by bleaching or sedimentations in the mesophotic zone. Fewer non-typhoon risk factors and quick recovery from the typhoon may have allowed developing huge A. horrida-dominant communities at the depth of 15-40 m.

Depth range
15- 40 m

Mesophotic “mentions”

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Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Disturbances

Focusgroups
Scleractinia (Hard Corals)

Locations
Japan - Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa)

Platforms
SCUBA (open-circuit or unspecified)