Distribution of scleractinian corals in the Atlantic Ocean with reference to zooplankton abundance in the 0-100 m layer

Correlation between the Azooxantellate Scleractinian coral distribution and abundance of zooplankton in the Atlantic Ocean was discussed. The analysis was based on a dataset of 943 specimens (82 species) sampled at 87 stations during cruises of Russian research vessels in the Atlantic. A hypothesis concerning correlation of coral biodiversity and population density with zooplankton abundance was tested. Relationships between these parameters were contradictory. High coral biodiversity and population density were registered for areas of low and average zooplankton abundance in surface waters.

本研究探讨了大西洋海域内无虫黄藻石珊瑚（Azooxantellate Scleractinian coral）的分布与浮游动物（zooplankton）丰度之间的相关性。分析基于俄罗斯科考船在大西洋科考航次中，于87个站位采集的943份标本（涵盖82个物种）所构建的数据集。本研究对“珊瑚生物多样性、种群密度与浮游动物丰度存在相关性”这一假说进行了验证。结果表明，上述参数间的关联呈现矛盾性：在表层水体浮游动物丰度处于低水平及中等水平的海域，观测到了较高的珊瑚生物多样性与种群密度。