Rediscovery of Rhizopsammia wellingtoni in Galápagos after two decades

Abstract

The coral Rhizopsammia wellingtoni, endemic to the Galápagos Islands, experienced sharp population declines following the El Niño Southern Oscillation event of 1982-83, after which it was rarely observed in surveys. The species was last officially recorded in 2000 and subsequently classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct). Here we document its rediscovery at four locations on Isabela and Fernandina during surveys conducted in 2024. These observations do not suggest population recovery but may reflect low-density persistence. We highlight the importance of species-targeted monitoring for detecting cryptic and rare taxa amid changing environmental conditions.