Supporting information data

Reef-building corals are the main basis of coral reef ecosystems, and the Orbicella genus is currently the most important in the Caribbean region. Although Orbicella species have been extensively studied, gaps in some southern Caribbean areas still exists on their status, which is crucial for management and conservation plans. In this study, we aimed to describe the population status of Orbicella faveolata and Orbicella annularis in two coastal Marine Protected Areas (MPA) of Venezuela: Morrocoy National Park and Cuare Wildlife Refuge. Between 2018-2020, 16 reefs in five sectors were surveyed using the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Protocol. Among the two Orbicella species, O. faveolata was dominant in both MPA´s with higher densities and live cover, varying at both reefs and sectors. The central sector of Morrocoy and reefs from Cuare are the most relevant for Orbicella populations, due to the higher live cover and abundance of reproductive colonies. Diseases were the primary threat recorded for both species. Adequate MPA management is essential for the conservation of the Morrocoy-Cuare coral system, including the reduction of local anthropogenic stress sources, such as oil spills, uncontrolled tourism and sewage discharges.造礁珊瑚是珊瑚礁生态系统的核心支撑类群，其中滨珊瑚属（Orbicella）目前为加勒比海区域的优势珊瑚类群。尽管滨珊瑚属物种已得到广泛研究，但加勒比海南部部分区域的种群现状仍存在数据空白，这一信息缺口对区域珊瑚礁的管理与保护规划至关重要。本研究聚焦委内瑞拉两处沿海海洋保护区（Marine Protected Areas, MPA）——莫罗科伊国家公园与夸雷野生动物保护区，旨在阐明平滑滨珊瑚（Orbicella faveolata）与环纹滨珊瑚（Orbicella annularis）的种群现状。2018至2020年间，研究团队采用大西洋与海湾快速珊瑚礁评估协议，对5个分区内的16处珊瑚礁开展了实地调查。在两种滨珊瑚属物种中，平滑滨珊瑚在两处海洋保护区内均占据优势，其种群密度与活体珊瑚覆盖度更高，且在不同珊瑚礁及分区间存在显著差异。莫罗科伊国家公园的中央分区与夸雷保护区内的珊瑚礁，凭借更高的活体覆盖度与生殖群落丰度，成为滨珊瑚种群的核心存续区域。病害是两种珊瑚记录到的首要威胁因素。针对莫罗科伊-夸雷珊瑚系统的保护，完善的海洋保护区管理体系至关重要，其中需包括降低当地人为胁迫源，如石油泄漏、无管制旅游业以及污水排放等。