@misc{10481/109624,
year = {2020},
month = {9},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/109624},
abstract = {Azooxanthellate corals are the most abundant fossils in the lower Pliocene deposits of
the Manilva Basin (S Spain). In this paper, the cnidarian fossil assemblages have been
studied in order to reconstruct the original cnidarian communities and to depict the
seascapes. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages associated with the corals have also
been analysed to infer the palaeoenvironmental conditions in which they developed.
Two sections have been studied. The Canuto section is dominated by moulds and
casts of Coenosmilia fecunda followed by Asterosmilia cf. prolifera and Asterosmilia sp.
Benthic foraminiferal assemblages indicate oligotrophic conditions and deposition from
the middle platform to the upper slope. The Álamos section is characterized by
Madrepora oculata, Dendrophyllia ramea, Asterosmilia cf. prolifera, Asterosmilia sp.,
Coenosmilia fecunda, and gorgonians of the family Isididae (most likely Keratoisis
melitensis and/or Lepidisis longiflora) as well as a basal holdfast attributed to a
member of the families Primnoidae or Chrysogorgiidae. Here, corals preserve their
original skeletons. Benthic foraminifers suggest deposition in oligotrophic conditions in
mid-outer platform settings. Corals in the Canuto section formed autochthonous fossil
assemblages, while in the Álamos section they were slightly displaced from their
original growth positions to form parautochthonous fossil concentrations. The cnidarian
community in the Canuto section was characterised by low-tier organisms attached to
hard substrates provided by skeletal remains (Coenosmilia fecunda) or dispersed in
the soft substrate provided by the marls and silts (Asterosmilia spp). In the Álamos
section, Coenosmilia fecunda and Asterosmilia spp occupied the lowest tier levels. The
gorgonians, isidids and members of the family Primnoidae or Chrysogorgiidae,
colonized both soft and hard substrates, dominating the next tier level. Finally,
Madrepora oculata and Dendrophyllia ramea settled on submarine cliffs or on large
blocks derived from substrate inhabiting the highest position in the community. Large
specimens of gorgonians could have also occupied this position.},
organization = {Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Competitividad PGC2018-099391-B-100},
organization = {Junta de Andalucía RMN190, RNM276},
organization = {Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual fellowship (MSCA-IF-2018, No 840675)},
organization = {University of Huelva},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
keywords = {Scleractinia},
keywords = {Alcyonacea},
keywords = {Community tiering},
title = {Mesophotic azooxanthellate coral communities and submarine seascape during the early Pliocene in Manilva Basin (S Spain)},
doi = {10.1007/s00338-020-02000-x},
author = {Aguirre Rodríguez, Julio and Ocaña, Óscar and Pérez Asensio, José Noel and Domènech, Rosa and Martinell, Jordi and Mayoral, Eduardo and Santos, Ana},
}