Conservation status of Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1826) (Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) in the Chafarinas Islands (Mediterranean Sea)

espanolEn la zona del Mediterraneo, la gorgonia roja Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1826) sufre los efectos combinados de factores de estres ambiental e infecciones. Se realizaron muestras a diferentes profundidades en dos sitios de las islas Chafarinas (mar Mediterraneo sudoccidental) para cuantificar el grado de dano que presentaban las colonias. Los resultados mostraron que las colonias de aguas mas superficiales presentaban una mayor tasa de dano que las colonias de aguas mas profundas. En conjunto, el estado de conservacion de la poblacion era peor de lo que se habia considerado previamente en esta zona. EnglishThe red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1826) is affected by the combined effects of environmental stress factors and diseases in the Mediterranean area. Samplings at different depths in two sites of Chafarinas Islands (South–Western Mediterranean Sea) were carried out to quantify the degree of injuries on red gorgonian colonies. The results showed that shallow colonies displayed a higher rate of injuries than deep colonies. Overall, the conservation status of the population was worse than previously considered in this area