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This study evaluated the natural prey preferences and spatial variability of predation pressure (PP = proportion of colonies with snails and/or clear predation signs) by the gastropod  Cyphoma gibbosum  on octocoral communities off the La Parguera Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico. All octocoral colonies were checked for presence of  C. gibbosum  and/or clear predation signs in four permanent band-transects (2 × 10 m), along three depth intervals (0–5, 7–12, >15 m deep) in each of six reefs along an inshore offshore gradient. Results indicate that  C. gibbosum  preys on at least 16 species, six of which ( Briareum asbestinum, Gorgonia ventalina, Pseudoterogorgia americana, P. acerosa, Plexaura flexuosa , and  Pseudoplexaura porosa ) consistently showed significantly higher (K-W,  P  < 0.05) (17–37%) PP compared to all other species.  Plexaura flexuosa, P. americana , and  P. porosa  had significantly higher PP (11–38%) among inner and mid-shelf reefs, and  G. ventalina  had higher PP in shelf-edge reefs (16–20%). A combination of differential spatial distributions and octocoral species abundances seems to explain the observed patterns of predation by  C. gibbosum . Prey preference and higher abundances of 3-dimensional octocorals providing increased refuge or microhabitats utilized for mating or egg-deposition could be driving the spatial distribution of  C. gibbosum  and the observed differential predation pressure.

international scholarly research notices

Natural Prey Preferences and Spatial Variability of Predation Pressure by <i>Cyphoma gibbosum</i> (Mollusca: Gastropoda) on Octocoral Communities off La Parguera, Puerto Rico

Natural Prey Preferences and Spatial Variability of Predation Pressure by Cyphoma gibbosum (Mollusca: Gastropoda) on Octocoral Communities off La Parguera, Puerto Rico