@article {Radice2016,
	title = {{Vertical water mass structure in the North Atlantic influences the bathymetric distribution of species in the deep-sea coral genus Paramuricea}},
	journal = {Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers},
	volume = {116},
	year = {2016},
	pages = {253{\textendash}263},
	abstract = {Deep-sea corals are the structural foundation of their ecosystems along continental margins worldwide, yet the factors driving their broad distribution are poorly understood. Environmental factors, especially depth-related variables including water mass properties, are thought to considerably affect the realized distribution of deep-sea corals. These factors are governed by local and regional oceanographic conditions that directly influence the dispersal of larvae, and therefore affect the ultimate distribution of adult corals. We used molecular barcoding of mitochondrial and nuclear sequences to identify species of octocorals in the genus Paramuricea collected from the Labrador Sea to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Canada at depths of 150{\textendash}1500 m. The results of this study revealed overlapping bathymetric distributions of the Paramuricea species present off the eastern Canadian coast, including the presence of a few cryptic species previously designated as Paramuricea placomus. The distribution of Paramuricea species in the western North Atlantic differs from the Gulf of Mexico, where five Paramuricea species exhibit strong segregation by depth. The different patterns of Paramuricea species in these contrasting biogeographic regions provide insight into how water mass structure may shape species distribution. Investigating Paramuricea prevalence and distribution in conjunction with oceanographic conditions can help demonstrate the factors that generate and maintain deep-sea biodiversity.},
	keywords = {HOV Alvin (Human Occupied Vehicle), ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	doi = {10.1016/j.dsr.2016.08.014},
	author = {Radice, V Z and Quattrini, A M and Wareham, V E and Edinger, E N and Cordes, E E}
}
@article {Quattrini2015,
	title = {{Testing the depth-differentiation hypothesis in a deepwater octocoral}},
	journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
	volume = {282},
	number = {1807},
	year = {2015},
	pages = {20150008},
	abstract = {The depth-differentiation hypothesis proposes that the bathyal region is a source of genetic diversity and an area where there is a high rate of species formation. Genetic differentiation should thus occur over relatively small vertical distances, particularly along the upper continental slope (200-1000 m) where oceanography varies greatly over small differences in depth. To test whether genetic differentiation within deepwater octocorals is greater over vertical rather than geographical distances, Callogorgia delta was targeted. This species commonly occurs throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico at depths ranging from 400 to 900 m. We found significant genetic differentiation (FST = 0.042) across seven sites spanning 400 km of distance and 400 m of depth. A pattern of isolation by depth emerged, but geographical distance between sites may further limit gene flow. Water mass boundaries may serve to isolate populations across depth; however, adaptive divergence with depth is also a possible scenario. Microsatellite markers also revealed significant genetic differentiation (FST = 0.434) between C. delta and a closely related species, Callogorgia americana, demonstrating the utility of microsatellites in species delimitation of octocorals. Results provided support for the depth-differentiation hypothesis, strengthening the notion that factors covarying with depth serve as isolation mechanisms in deep-sea populations.},
	keywords = {HOV Alvin (Human Occupied Vehicle), ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	doi = {10.1098/rspb.2015.0008},
	author = {Quattrini, A M and Baums, I B and Shank, T M and Morrison, C and Cordes, E E}
}
@article {Doughty2014,
	title = {{Insights into the population dynamics of the deep-sea coral genus Paramuricea in the Gulf of Mexico}},
	journal = {Biology and Geology of Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystems: Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals},
	volume = {99},
	year = {2014},
	pages = {71{\textendash}82},
	abstract = {Species in the genus Paramuricea are among the most common corals in deep waters ({\textgreater}200~m) of the Gulf of Mexico. Paramuricea spp. increase habitat heterogeneity and provide substrate for numerous faunal associates, including ophiuroids that occur on the majority of coral colonies. In light of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, it has become apparent that there is a critical need for data on population dynamics within this genus. To date, at least one species of Paramuricea (P. biscaya) is known to be negatively impacted by the spill. Using remotely operated vehicles from 2009 to 2011, we documented the density and size frequency distributions of Paramuricea across 21 sites at depths of 250{\textendash}2500~m. Molecular barcoding (mtCOI+igr+MutS) was used to delineate species boundaries among the specimens collected. Results suggested that seven haplotypes are present in the Gulf, and appear to be partially segregated by depth [(type H: was used to delineate species boundaries among the specimens collected. Results suggested that seven haplotypes are present in the Gulf, and appear to be partially segregated by depth [(type H: Paramuricea spp. determined by ROV surveys were mapped onto high-resolution bathymetric data, which confirmed the corals{\textquoteright} preference for topographic highs composed of hard substrata. At any one site, densities ranged from 0.043{\textpm}0.01 (VK906, 380~m) to 1.18{\textpm}0.81~colonies/m2 (GC852, 1410~m). Mortality and recruitment rates were estimated from size-frequency data combined with estimated growth rates. Mortality rate decreased with size, from approximately 20{\%} and 70{\%} in new recruits of Paramuricea B3 and P. biscaya respectively, to less than 10{\%} in colonies over 40~cm in both species. Recruitment rates were estimated from less than one to over 30 individuals per year per site, but patterns in size-frequency histograms suggest that this process is highly variable at the different sites and at different times. These data illustrate that populations of the slow-growing Paramuricea species are sparsely distributed and exhibit low recruitment rates, making them highly susceptible to anthropogenic threats.},
	keywords = {HOV Alvin (Human Occupied Vehicle), ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	issn = {0967-0645},
	doi = {10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.05.023},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064513002142},
	author = {Doughty, C L and Quattrini, A M and Cordes, E E}
}
@article {Quattrini2014,
	title = {{A phylogenetic approach to octocoral community structure in the deep Gulf of Mexico}},
	journal = {Biology and Geology of Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystems: Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals},
	volume = {99},
	year = {2014},
	pages = {92{\textendash}102},
	abstract = {{Deep-sea communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances, as fishing, hydrocarbon exploration and extraction, and mining activities extend into deeper water. Negative impacts from such activities were recently documented in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), where the Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused substantial damage to a deep-water octocoral community. Although a faunal checklist and numerous museum records are currently available for the entire GoM, local-scale diversity and assemblage structure of octocoral communities remains unknown, particularly in deep water. On a series of recent cruises (2008{\textendash}2011) using remotely operated vehicles, 435 octocorals were collected from 33 deep-water sites (250{\textendash}2500~m) in the northern GoM. To elucidate species boundaries, the extended mitochondrial barcode (COI+igr1+msh) was successfully amplified and sequenced for 422 of these specimens, yielding a total of 64 haplotypes representing at least 52 species. Further, at least 29{\%} of the species collected were either previously not known to occur in the GoM (12 species) or represent new species (at least three species). Overall, species richness at each site was fairly low (1{\textendash}12 spp.). The greatest species richness occurred at the shallowest () was successfully amplified and sequenced for 422 of these specimens, yielding a total of 64 haplotypes representing at least 52 species. Further, at least 29{\%} of the species collected were either previously not known to occur in the GoM (12 species) or represent new species (at least three species). Overall, species richness at each site was fairly low (1{\textendash}12 spp.). The greatest species richness occurred at the shallowest (n=8 spp.) and the deepest (2100{\textendash}2500~m: DC673},
	keywords = {HOV Alvin (Human Occupied Vehicle), ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	issn = {0967-0645},
	doi = {10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.05.027},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096706451300218X},
	author = {Quattrini, A M and Etnoyer, P J and Doughty, C and English, Lisa and Falco, R and Remon, N and Rittinghouse, M and Cordes, E E}
}
@article {White2012,
	title = {{Impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on a deep-water coral community in the Gulf of Mexico}},
	journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
	volume = {109},
	number = {50},
	year = {2012},
	month = {dec},
	pages = {20303{\textendash}20308},
	abstract = {To assess the potential impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on offshore ecosystems, 11 sites hosting deep-water coral communities were examined 3 to 4 mo after the well was capped. Healthy coral communities were observed at all sites {\textgreater}20 km from the Macondo well, including seven sites previously visited in September 2009, where the corals and communities appeared unchanged. However, at one site 11 km southwest of the Macondo well, coral colonies presented widespread signs of stress, including varying degrees of tissue loss, sclerite enlargement, excess mucous production, bleached commensal ophiuroids, and covering by brown flocculent material (floc). On the basis of these criteria the level of impact to individual colonies was ranked from 0 (least impact) to 4 (greatest impact). Of the 43 corals imaged at that site, 46{\%} exhibited evidence of impact on more than half of the colony, whereas nearly a quarter of all of the corals showed impact to {\textgreater}90{\%} of the colony. Additionally, 53{\%} of these corals{\textquoteright} ophiuroid associates displayed abnormal color and/or attachment posture. Analysis of hopanoid petroleum biomarkers isolated from the floc provides strong evidence that this material contained oil from the Macondo well. The presence of recently damaged and deceased corals beneath the path of a previously documented plume emanating from the Macondo well provides compelling evidence that the oil impacted deep-water ecosystems. Our findings underscore the unprecedented nature of the spill in terms of its magnitude, release at depth, and impact to deep-water ecosystems.},
	keywords = {HOV Alvin (Human Occupied Vehicle), ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	issn = {0027-8424},
	doi = {10.1073/pnas.1118029109},
	author = {White, H K and Hsing, P-Y and Cho, W and Shank, T M and Cordes, E E and Quattrini, A M and Nelson, R K and Camilli, R and Demopoulos, A W J and German, C R and Brooks, J M and Roberts, H H and Shedd, W and Reddy, C M and Fisher, C R}
}
