Distribution of anemones (Anthozoa: Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia) in the area of Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

This work characterizes and compares the community of anemones at two coralline areas in the Tayrona National Natural Park, in the Colombian Caribbean, and also relates the species that were found with some important characteristics of the reef community as well as with factors that can condition its structure. The statistical tests performed allowed to differentiate two kinds of landscapes: the shallow mixed coral reef and the deep one. A total of 15 species of anemones were found, four belonging to the Order Corallimorpharia and 11 to the order Actiniaria, distributed over the coralline landscapes of the area. The tests used to determine the distribution of anemones inside the corridors measured, showed the formation of two similar groups of corridors to those obtained for the landscape that in its turn, represent two groups of anemones, those of shallow reefs and those of deep reefs. The tests used for each kind of anemone in respect to the characteristics of the reef environment suggest that each species has its own preferences regarding the habitat selection. However, relating the anemones with the landscape, anemones with the presence of certain coral species and anemones with the general reef landscape can create two basic categories.