Despite a wealth of diversity and abundance, mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) continue to be understudied, especially in island locations. MCEs are the light-dependent coral, sponge and algae communities that typically range from depths of 100 feet to over 450 feet in tropical and subtropical regions. Although there has been a surge in scientific research, information on the ecology and community composition of MCEs remains scarce.
Join SFDI on September 4th, when Dr. Richard Coleman will describe the tools that scientists use to access MCEs, as we travel to locations throughout the Pacific, including Hawai’i, Australia, the Philippines, and Kiritibati in Micronesia. We’ll learn about the traits that shape MCE fish communities, including body shape and diet, as well as the global patterns that have been observed. We will end with future plans for research in the Caribbean.
ABOUT DR. RICHARD COLEMAN
Dr. Coleman is an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology and Ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami. He earned his PhD in Zoology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and his BS in Marine Biology at San Francisco State University. His research focuses on the processes that influence the spatial distribution of fishes and understanding the mechanisms that create and maintain biodiversity in the marine realm. Through his research, Richard helped to inform fisheries management, and has provided insights in ecological processes and the evolution of fishes. His research has brought him to many places throughout the world including the Philippines, Kiritibati in Micronesia, Saudi Arabia, Norway and Colombia, among many others. As a trained closed-circuit rebreather diver, he has dived to depths as deep as 400 feet to investigate how fish communities differ between shallow and deep low light environments. Richard will be presenting in person!
