@article{3b9f82ab3c914b8f97567f7e4295df55,
title = "Long-term ecological monitoring of reefs on Hawai{\textquoteright}i Island (2003-2020): Characterization of a common cryptic crust, Ramicrusta hawaiiensis (Peyssonneliales, Rhodophyta)",
abstract = "The recently described crustose calcifying red algal species Ramicrusta hawaiiensis, known only from mesophotic depths off Lehua Island, west of Kaua{\textquoteright}i Island, was found in shallow benthic reef habitats (3-18 m deep) along the western coast of Hawai{\textquoteright}i Island. Molecular and microscopy techniques were used for genetic confirmation and for detailed morphological and anatomical examination. Two independent benthic cover survey datasets collected from west Hawai{\textquoteright}i Island were used to investigate temporal and geographic distribution of Ramicrusta. In both datasets, we report Ramicrusta at approximately 60% of the sites surveyed. Benthic cover for this alga varies among sites and among years and its presence in west Hawai{\textquoteright}i is evident since at least 2003. These findings help to document Hawaiian coral reef ecosystem change and benthic community composition reshuffling. This study also emphasizes the critical importance of taxonomy and proper identification of macroalgal species to understand the potential for phase-shifts of dominant taxa in coral reef ecosystems after environmental disturbances and fluctuations in abiotic factors. In the last decade, members of the red algal order Peyssonneliales have increased in abundance and overgrown other benthic species in reef ecosystems in the Caribbean and tropical Pacific. The novel aspect of finding abundant Ramicrusta in much shallower water than originally described, the decadal presence of Ramicrusta, and its potential for competition with other benthic organisms make this research valuable to coral reef ecology and justify further investigation of Ramicrusta ecology and biology in the Hawaiian Islands and globally.",
keywords = "Peyssonneliaceae, competition, coral reef community, crustose calcifying red algae (CCRA), peyssonnelid algal crusts (PAC), phylogenetics, scanning electron microscopy, sea surface temperature (SST)",
author = "Grady, {Bryant W.} and Kittle, {Ronald P.} and Ashley Pugh and Lamson, {Megan R.} and Richards, {Joseph L.} and Suzanne Fredericq and McDermid, {Karla J.} and Quintin Allen and Asner, {Gregory P.}",
note = "Funding Information: The monitoring surveys for the WHAP data were funded in part by the Division of Aquatic Resources, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai{\textquoteleft}i, and the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program grant awards NA19NOS4820051 and NA21NOS4820017. Base SfM mosaic imagery from the South Kona Intensive Reef Survey used in the study was supported by the Lenfest Ocean Program and the Dorrance Family Foundation. This study was partially funded by NSF grant DEB-1754504. RK is grateful to the UL Lafayette Graduate Student Organization for partially funding the cost of research supplies. Funding Information: We thank everyone who helped combine the diverse methods and data sources used in this project: ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia. No task is too great when working together. We acknowledge Dr. Tom Pesacreta at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Microscopy Center for the continuous support and use of the Scios 2 Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam scanning electron microscope, and Dr. Sophie Plouviez for overseeing the use and maintenance of the ABI Model 3130xl Genetic Analyzer at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We deeply appreciate the support from NSF research grant DEB-1754504. We thank Rebecca Ostertag (UH Hilo), John Stimson (UH Mānoa), and DAR reviewers (Chris Teague and Ryan Okano) for reading and improving our manuscript. We dedicate our paper to Professor Bernab{\'e} Santelices, a phycologist, marine ecologist, taxonomist, and friend extraordinario, who received his PhD from the University of Hawai{\textquoteright}i, and taught for many years at the Pontificia Universidad Cat{\'o}lica de Chile. His insight and body of work inspire us all to be better marine scientists. Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2022 Grady, Kittle, Pugh, Lamson, Richards, Fredericq, McDermid, Allen and Asner.",
year = "2022",
month = oct,
day = "31",
doi = "10.3389/fmars.2022.1009471",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "9",
journal = "Frontiers in Marine Science",
issn = "2296-7745",
publisher = "Frontiers Media S. A.",
}