New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research · 2005 · 25 citations · 11 references
Natural SciencesMarine BiologyMarine SciencesCoral Reef BiologyCoral Reef EcologyMarine EcologyCoral Reef BiodiversityCoral Reef CalcificationCoral Reef GeologyReef Fish EcologyReef-building Coral BiologyReef-building CoralsCalcite CementationCalcite MicromorphologyCoral Reef EcosystemsCoral Reef Fish EcologyRadiometric AnalysisReef Carbonate PetrologyReef Carbonate ProductionReef Environments
Abstract Serpulid patch reefs of Galeolaria hystrix Mörch, 1863 were found in water depths of 9–16 m in Big Glory Bay, Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, and here we report preliminary studies of these important habitat‐formers. This is the first observation of this species in subtidal patch reefs; 114 reefs were noted in a survey of 28 000 m 2 . Most reefs were 1–5 m in diameter, and up to 1.5 m high. Up to 65% of the serpulid tubes were occupied by living G. hystrix during a mid‐winter diving survey; 64% of reefs observed were whole, whereas 36% were broken or dead. Radiometric dating of a basal specimen of reef carbonate showed it to be less than 50 years old. Production of high‐Mg calcite, ranging from 9 to 11 wt% MgCO 3 , by G. hystrix may be as much as 11 kg CaCO 3 m ‐2 y ‐1 , but was not reflected in surrounding sediments, which were dominantly terrigenous muds. A rich reef fauna, both sessile and motile, was associated with the reefs. Further study of these unusual temperate reefs is strongly recommended.
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