Occurrence of Atlantic Reef Corals on Offshore Platforms in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The occurrence of Atlantic reef corals on artificial structures on the outer continental shelf in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, and their general absence from such structures inshore, is of considerable interest in terms of the dynamics of reef coral populations in the region. Comparative study of the coral species inhabiting oil and gas platforms and natural hard bottoms in the northwestern Gulf can provide insight into questions concerning distribution of adult populations, environmental controls, reproductive strategies and timing, larval sources, transport, dispersal and recruitment.