Fernando Espino

Current evidence suggests that macroalgal-dominated habitats are important contributors to the oceanic carbon cycle, though the role of those formed by calcifiers remains controversial. Globally distributed coralline algal beds, built by pink coloured rhodoliths and maerl, cover extensive coastal shelf areas of the planet, but scarce information on...

The Canary Islands and their adjacent seamounts represent a unique biodiversity "crossroad" within Atlantic and Mediterranean. The geographical separation of ca. 1000 km between the Western and Eastern volcanic islands and seamounts, generates a high variability of biodiversity scenarios, which are currently under threat due to the overexploitation...

Black corals are important components of mesophotic and deep-water marine habitats. Their presence at great depths (e.g., 50 to 200 m) makes accessibility difficult, limiting our understanding of the associated biodiversity. Amphipods dominate vagile epifauna in marine habitats around the world, fulfilling important ecosystem functions. However, th...

The present study aims at assessing the thermal tolerance of the black coral Antipathella wollastoni (Gray, 1857), which forms extensive forests in multiple Macaron-esian islands. Fragments of A. wollastoni were exposed for 15 d to temperature conditions ranging from 19 to 26.5 °C, and multiple endpoints were investigated. No mortality was observed...

Global marine conservation remains fractured by an imbalance in research efforts and policy actions, limiting progression towards sustainability. Rhodolith beds represent a prime example, as they have ecological importance on a global scale, provide a wealth of ecosystem functions and services, including biodiversity provision and potential climate...

Sensitivity to ocean warming is generally expected to be lower in populations from more heterogeneous thermal environments, owing to greater phenotypic plasticity and/or genotype selection. While resilience of benthic populations from thermally fluctuating environments has been investigated at a variety of spatial scales, this has received limited...

The degradation of shallow ecosystems has called for efforts to understand the biodiversity and functioning of Mesophotic Ecosystems. However, most empirical studies have been restricted to tropical regions and have majorly focused on taxonomic entities (i.e., species), neglecting important dimensions of biodiversity that influence community assemb...

The black coral Anthipatella wollastoni forms marine animal forests in the mesophotic zone. The spatial extent of black coral forests is not well known in many regions. Due to its protein and chitin skeleton, the coral is difficult to image using acoustic remote sensing techniques compared to corals with carbonate skeletons. Several manufacturers h...

Amphipods are one of the dominant epifaunal groups in seagrass meadows. However, our understanding of the biogeographical patterns in the distribution of these small crustaceans is limited. In this study, we investigated such patterns and the potential drivers in twelve Cymodocea nodosa meadows within four distinctive biogeographical areas across 2...

Citation: Pérez-Peris, I.; Navarro-Mayoral, S.; de Esteban, M.C.; Tuya, F.; Peña, V.; Barbara, I.; Neves, P.; Ribeiro, C.; Abreu, A.; Grall, J.; et al. Effect of Depth across a Latitudinal Gradient in the Structure of Rhodolith Seabeds and Associated Biota across the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Diversity 2023, 15, 103. Abstract: Rhodolith seabeds are '...

Seagrasses worldwide provide key habitats for fish assemblages. Biogeographical disparities in ocean climate conditions and seasonal regimes are well-known drivers of the spatial and temporal variation in seagrass structure, with potential effects on associated fish assemblages. Whether taxonomically disparate fish assemblages support a similar ran...

Globally, elasmobranchs have suffered severe population declines and are, therefore, under an urgent necessity of protection, particularly along the Northeastern Atlantic realm. However, a lack of ecological (e.g., abundance) knowledge across this realm limits the implementation of adequate conservation and management actions. Here, we collected 4,...

Sharks play a key role in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. More ecological information is essential to implement responsible management and conservation actions on this fauna, particularly at a regional level for threatened species. Mustelus mustelus is widely found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and catalogued as "Vulnerable" by...

Coralline algae are important components in a large variety of ecosystems. Among them, rhodoliths are a group of free-living coralline red algae that cover extensive coastal areas, from tropical to polar regions. In contrast to other ecosystem engineers, limited research efforts preclude our understanding of their physiology, underlying mechanisms,...

Batoids, distributed from shallow to abyssal depths, are considerably vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. Data deficiencies on the distribution patterns of batoids, however, challenge their effective management and conservation. In this study, we took advantage of the particular geological and geomorphological configuration of the Canary Islands,...

Aim The influence of niche and neutral mechanisms on the assembly of ecological communities have long been debated. However, we still have a limited knowledge on their relative importance to explain patterns of diversity across latitudinal gradients (LDG). Here, we investigate the extent to which these ecological mechanisms contribute to the LDG of...

The resilience of an ecological unit encompasses resistance during adverse conditions and the capacity to recover. We adopted a ‘resistance-recovery’ framework to experimentally partition the resilience of a foundation species (the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa). The shoot abundances of nine seagrass meadows were followed before, during and after simul...

Despite the crucial role of herbivory in shaping community assembly, our understanding on biogeographical patterns of herbivory on seagrasses is limited compared to that on terrestrial plants. In particular, the drivers of such patterns remain largely unexplored. Here, we used a comparative-experimental approach in Cymodocea nodosa meadows, across...

Black corals (order Antipatharia) are important components of mesophotic and deep-water marine communities, but due to their inaccessibility, there is limited knowledge about the basic aspects of their distribution and ecology. The aim of this study was to test methodologies to map and study colonies of a branched antipatharian species, Antipathell...

Seagrasses are key habitat-forming species of coastal areas. While previous research has demonstrated considerable small-scale variation in seagrass abundance and structure, studies teasing apart local from large-scale variation are scarce. We determined how different biogeographic scenarios, under varying environmental and genetic variation, expla...

The arrival of non-indigenous species into new areas is one of the main processes altering the oceans globally. Macrorhynchia philippina is a large-sized colonial hydrozoan of an invasive nature. To obtain a deeper understanding of the process of colonization of new areas, it is essential to describe the ecological pattern through scales of tempora...

• Seagrass meadows are crucial habitats on nearshore areas, which are exposed to human disturbances that frequently cause seagrass loss. Although demographic and mapping data have been widely used in long‐term monitoring programmes, the integration of multi‐locus genotype data through time remains rare. • The present work links, for the first time,...

The arrival of non-indigenous species into new areas is one of the main processes altering the oceans globally. Macrorhynchia philippina is a large-sized colonial hydrozoan of an invasive nature. To obtain a deeper understanding of the process of colonization of new areas, it is essential to describe the ecological pattern through scales of tempora...

Similar to altitudinal gradients in terrestrial habitats, subtidal habitats experience abrupt environmental gradients across depth. The objective of this study was to understand how variation with depth of environmental factors (water temperature, light availability, water motion and sedimentation) affected the structure (size and morphology) of rh...

Seagrasses provide multiple 'ecosystem services' in coastal waters, including carbon sequestration. However, this 'Blue Carbon' potential has been only evaluated for certain species from some areas of the world. In this study, we provide initial estimates on the magnitude and local variability of carbon sequestration, as organic carbon stocks, for...

Black corals (order Antipatharia) are important components of mesophotic and deep-water marine communities, but due to their inaccessibility, there is limited knowledge about the basic aspects of their distribution and ecology. The aim of this study was to test methodologies to map and study colonies of a branched antipatharian species, Antipathell...

Seagrasses are key habitat-forming species of coastal areas. While previous research has demonstrated considerable small-scale variation in seagrass abundance and structure, studies teasing apart local from large-scale variation are scarce. We determined how different biogeographic scenarios, under varying environmental and genetic variation, expla...

In recent decades, numerous marine species have changed their distribution ranges due to ocean warming. The Spotfin burrfish, Chilomycterus reticulatus, is a reef fish with a global distribution along tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. In this work, we analyzed the presence of this species, be...

El objetivo de la tesis es investigar y conocer los patrones de variabilidad espacio-temporal de las poblaciones de peces asociados a praderas constituidas por la fanerógama marina Cymodocea nodosa. En el Capítulo 1, se realiza un análisis macro-ecológico de las comunidades de peces asociadas a praderas de C. nodosa en toda su área de distribución,...

The spatial configuration of rhodolith seabeds in oceanic islands provides an ideal system to assess whether environmental drivers regulate the structure and functioning of rhodolith seabeds across a depth gradient. Similar to altitude in terrestrial habitats, subtidal habitats experience abrupt environmental gradients (e.g. light, temperature, wat...

New data on the presence in the Canary Islands of the Tripletail, Lobotes surina-mensis (Bloch, 1790), are provided, based on 15 records throughout the archipelago. One specimen caught in Gran Canaria was analyzed in detail for its taxonomic identification as well as the study of its morphometric and meristic characteristics. The possible coloniza-...

A walk through the marine biodiversity of the Canary Islands 490 marine species are decribed, including marine birds, fishes, whales and dolphins, marine turtles, invrtebrates and seaweeds 1,160 full color images and illustrations 460 pp.

High complexity habitat traits (i.e. high heterogeneity and/or size of discrete habitat units) often promote larger abundances of fauna. Sandy and rhodolith sea bottoms are typically interspersed as mosaics within coastal landscapes. The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the effect of two complexity attributes of rho-dolith nodules (i....

1. Seagrass meadows are crucial habitats on nearshore areas, which are exposed to human disturbances that frequently cause seagrass loss. Although demographic and mapping data have been widely used in long-term monitoring programmes, the integration of multi-locus genotype data through time remains rare. 2. The present work links, for the first tim...

In recent decades, numerous marine species have changed their distribution ranges due to ocean warming. The Spotfin burrfish, Chilomycterus reticulatus, is a reef fish with a global distribution along tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. In this work, we analyzed the presence of this species, be...

Seagrasses constitute a key coastal habitat world‐wide, but are exposed to multiple perturbations. Understanding elements affecting seagrass resistance to disturbances is critical for conservation. Distinct biogeographical scenarios are intrinsically linked with varying ecological and evolution backgrounds shaped across millennia. We addressed whet...

Similar to altitude in terrestrial habitats, subtidal habitats experience abrupt environmental gradients (e.g. light, temperature, water motion, etc.) across narrow vertical (depth) scales. The spatial configuration of rhodolith seabeds in the Canary Islands provides an ideal system to assess whether environmental drivers across depth regulate the...

The role of habitat complexity determining patterns in the richness and abundance of associated fauna has received considerable attention in the ecological literature. High complexity habitat traits (i.e. high heterogeneity and/or size of discrete habitat units) often promote larger abundances of fauna. Sandy and rhodolith sea bottoms are typically...

The cartography of seabeds, using acoustic technologies for mapping marine benthic communities is increasing and highly demanded in the management of subtropical and tropical environments where rapid anthropogenic development often occurring in coastal zones. The side-scan sonar (SSS) is an effective tool with greater use in several nautical discip...

The activity of Lysmata grabhami as cleaner shrimp is well known, and its cleaning mutalism with many client fish species in different biogeographic areas have been documented. The literature reviewed resulted in 49 fish species belonging to 15 families to be cleaned at both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Overall, Muraenidae, Serranidae, Pomacentrida...

Brown macroalgae within the genus Cystoseira are some of the most relevant “ecosystem-engineers” found throughout the Mediterranean and the adjacent Atlantic coasts. Cystoseira-dominated assemblages are sensitive to anthropogenic pressures, and historical declines have been reported from some regions. In particular, Cystoseira abies-marina, thrivin...

Brown macroalgae within the genus Cystoseira are some of the most relevant "ecosystem-engineers" found throughout the Mediterranean and the adjacent Atlantic coasts. Cystoseira-dominated assemblages are sensitive to anthro-pogenic pressures, and historical declines have been reported from some regions. In particular, Cystoseira abies-marina, thrivi...

The recognition of marine vegetation in the fossil record brings useful information about past environmental conditions. The paleo-biogeography of seagrasses is largely unknown, since fossilized materials are rare. In this study, we report the existence of fossil deposits of a seagrass species, Halodule cf., at Gran Canaria Island (28°N, northeaste...

The recognition of marine vegetation in the fossil record brings useful information about past environmental conditions. The paleo-biogeography of seagrasses is largely unknown, since fossilized materials are rare. In this study, we report the existence of fossil deposits of a seagrass species, Halodule cf., at Gran Canaria Island (28°N, northeaste...

Cet article présente les relations taille-poids de dix espèces de poissons téléostéens des herbiers de phanérogame Cymodocea nodosa des îles Canaries (atlantique nord-est) : Bothus podas, Xyrichtys novacula, Mullus surmuletus, Sparisoma cretense, Diplodus annularis, Pagellus erythrinus, Spondyliosoma cantharus, Syngnathus typhle, Canthigaster capis...

The European Red List of Habitats provides an overview of the risk of collapse (degree of endangerment) of marine, terrestrial and freshwater habitats in the European Union (EU28) and adjacent regions (EU28+), based on a consistent set of categories and criteria, and detailed data and expert knowledge from involved countries1. A total of 257 benthi...

The hydrozoan Macrorhynchia philippina is considered a circumtropical and sub-tropical species (AnsínAgís et al. 2001 [Zoologische Verhandelingen Leiden, 333: 3-263]). In the last years, its distribution has been spread at higher latitudes because of global warming (Gravili et al. 2013 [Marine Ecology, 34: 41-62]), facilitated by its invasive chara...

Marine macrophytes are vertically distributed according to their ability to optimize their photosynthetic performance. We assessed the photo-physiological performance of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the green seaweed Caulerpa prolifera at varying depth at Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic). The biomass of C. nodosa decrease...

Marine macrophytes are vertically distributed according to their ability to optimize their photosynthetic performance. We assessed the photo-physiological performance of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the green seaweed Caulerpa prolifera at varying depth at Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic). The biomass of C. nodosa decrease...

The European Red List of Habitats provides an overview of the risk of collapse (degree of endangerment) of marine, terrestrial and freshwater habitats in the European Union (EU28) and adjacent regions (EU28+), based on a consistent set of categories and criteria, and detailed data and expert knowledge from involved countries. A total of 257 benthic...

Relations taille-poids de dix espèces de poissons téléos-téens des prairies sous-marines des îles Canaries (atlantique nord-est). Cet article présente les relations taille-poids de dix espèces de poissons téléostéens des herbiers de phanérogame Cymodocea nodosa des îles Canaries (atlantique nord-est) : Bothus podas, Xyrichtys novacula, Mullus surmu...

Human impacts accelerate the intensity and frequency of perturbations on ecosystems; approaches that integrate responses across organization levels are, however, lacking, particularly in the ocean. We experimentally simulated the frequency of fertilization ('chronic' versus 'pulse' events) in orthogonal combinations of two intensities ('large' vers...

In this study, patterns in the taxonomic richness and composition of the fish fauna inhabiting Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows were described across their entire distribution range in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, the study tested whether there are differences in the composition of fish assemblages between those...

We report the collection of specimens of Paranthias furcifer (Serranidae), Abudefduf hoefleri (Pomacentridae), Acanthurus bahianus, A. chirurgus, A. coeruleus (Acanthuridae), and Cantherhines pullus (Monacanthidae) as first records for these tropical and subtropical species from the Canary Islands (north-eastern Atlantic). Most of these records coi...

Habitat structure affects the distribution of fishes, particularly across reef-dominated habitats, but few studies have connected patterns in the abundance of soft-bottom fishes with the structure of the habitat. The spatial and temporal patterns of variation in the abundance, biomass and population structure of the pearly razorfish, Xyrichtys nova...

Habitat structure affects the distribution of fishes, particularly across reef-dominated habitats, but few studies have connected patterns in the abundance of soft-bottom fishes with the structure of the habitat. The spatial and temporal patterns of variation in the abundance, biomass and population structure of the pearly razorfish, Xyrichtys nova...

Seagrass meadows perform essential ecosystem functions and services. Though the meadows are globally deteriorating , numerous regressions remain unreported as a result of data fragmentation. Cymodocea nodosa is the most important seagrass in shallow coastal waters of the Canary Islands. No study has so far investigated temporal population trends at...

Seagrass meadows perform essential ecosystem functions and services. Though the meadows are globally deteriorating , numerous regressions remain unreported as a result of data fragmentation. Cymodocea nodosa is the most important seagrass in shallow coastal waters of the Canary Islands. No study has so far investigated temporal population trends at...

Pomacentridae is one of the most numerous families of fishes (both in number of species and number of individuals). Pomacentrids are mainly distributed in tropical seas, especially in the Indo-Pacific, but some members occur at subtropical and temperate latitudes. During a scientific diving at the North-East of Gran Canaria Island, October 2014, tw...

One specimen of the Torroto grunt, Genyatremus cavifrons (Cuvier, 1830), was caught at the southeastern coast of Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands, northeastern Atlantic ocean. This is aWesternAtlantic species, distributed in the southern LesserAntilles and northern coast of South America, from eastern Colombia to Brazil. The most plausible hypot...

Human impacts accelerate the intensity and frequency of perturbations on ecosystems; approaches that integrate responses across organization levels are, however, lacking, particularly in the ocean. We experimentally simulated the frequency of fertilization (‘chronic’ versus ‘pulse’ events) in orthogonal combinations of two intensities (‘large’ vers...

In this study, patterns in the taxonomic richness and composition of the fish fauna inhabiting Cymod-ocea nodosa seagrass meadows were described across their entire distribution range in the Mediter-ranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, the study tested whether there are differences in the composition of fish assemblages between tho...

Seagrass habitats are relevant for numerous nearshore fish species, particularly as nursery grounds. Seagrass meadows are often interspersed with other habitats, what can alter the distribution and abundance of seagrass ichthyofauna. This research aimed to determine whether there is a change in the abundance and biomass of the parrotfish, Sparisoma...

A check-list of fishes regularly present in waters of the Gando-Arinaga area, in the East coast of Gran Canaria, is presented herein. This inventory includes 175 species, 22 of which were of chondrichthyans (belonging to 19 genera and 13 families), and 153 were of actinopterygiians (121 genera and 60 families); 77.15% of the species have stable pop...

Seagrass meadows are a crucial habitat for numerous fish species on nearshore waters, many of commercial interest. To determine the fishery economic value of the Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows, we conducted 288 underwater visual census of the ichthyofauna at 3 seagrass meadows of Gran Canaria Island during 2011. Abundance data (nº of individuals...