1. Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico Regional Affiliate CoML Project Goals: Census/inventory all biota Book and Web Determine species − − distribution − − depths − − habitats − − literature Determine taxonomic expertise Determine gaps in knowledge by Wes Tunnell Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

2. 2007 Scientific Results ~15,500 species in 38 phyla/divisions ~15,500 species in 38 phyla/divisions 77 chapters (taxa) 77 chapters (taxa) 138 authors/co-authors 138 authors/co-authors 71 institutions 71 institutions 14 countries 14 countries Data compilation completed September 2007 September 2007 Possible publication in late 2008 Possible publication in late 2008 Submitted to Texas A&M University Press H. Moody

3. 2007 Scientific Results Gulf of Mexico – Origin, Waters, and Biota (50 – year update of Bulletin 89: 1954) Economics (May 2007) Economics (May 2007) Geology (September 2007) Geology (September 2007) Biota (September 2007) Biota (September 2007) Ecosystem-based Management (November 2007) Ecosystem-based Management (November 2007) Physical Oceanography (2008) Physical Oceanography (2008) Chemical Oceanography (2009) Chemical Oceanography (2009) Human Issues (2009) Human Issues (2009)

4. Diversity Comparison of Selected Marine Species Inventories Europe26,92721.8 million km²Costello et al. (2001) Hawaii6,1502.2 million km²Eldredge (2006) Gulf of Mexico 15,500 1.5 million km² This project (2007) South Africa10,836576,000 km²Gibbons (1999) China20,000+No DataHuang (2001) Guam6,172No DataPaulay (2003) Geographic Region Compiler Geographic Size Total No. Species Unknown: of 38 phyla/divisions range of unknown species varies from 0% (reptiles, mammals) to 100% (nematomorphs, loriciferans)

5. TaxonHabitat- Biology Depth (m)Overall geographic range GOM range References/Endnotes Phylum: Cnidaria Subphylum: Medusozoa Class: Hydrozoa Order: Anthoathecata Family: Cordylophoridae Cordylophora caspia (Pallas, 1771) ben, est, hsb, nid 0–5BF, SE, CA, NE, EA, IO, WP, EP nw, ne 21, 22, 26, 28, 47 Corydendrium parasiticum (Linnaeus, 1767) ben, hsb1–127SE, CA, BE, EA, IO, WP, EP nw, ne 36 Rhizogeton sterreri (Calder, 1988) ben, epi, hsb0–1SE, BEne23, 34, 40 Turritopsis fascicularis (Fraser, 1943) ben, hsb1–329SE, CA, BEne, se21, 23, 27, 47 Turritopsis nutricula (McCrady, 1857) ben, bns, hsb0–128SE, CA, BE, NE, SA, EA, IO, WP, EP nw, ne, se 21, 23, 36, 47 Example of Checklist: (Calder-Hydroids) Distribution

6. Abundance Gulf of Mexico Diversity Project Did Not Deal with Abundance (due to variation in LME)

7. Taxon No. of Species 1954 No. of Species 2006 No. of Endemic Species 2006 No. of Non- indigenous Species 2006 Fungi (Gonzales)NL541? Cyanophytes (Leon-Tejera)455?? Dinoflagellates (Faust)24 (36)648?? Foraminiferans (Sen Gupta)16095135? Sponges (Rutzler)13330110? Nematodes (Hope)7519012664 Example of Taxa Tabulations Steps Toward Project Synthesis for 2010 Questions to be asked in Phase II (Digital Phase)

8. Synthesis Outputs Paper being developed for Science or Nature on overall project. Synthesis will come in next phase: Phase I – concept, tabulation of data, book Phase II – conversion to digital/database – placement on World Wide Web – GulfBase (www.gulfbase.org)www.gulfbase.org – OBIS (www.iobis.org) (?)www.iobis.org – synthesis, analysis Photos: F. Moretzsohn

9. Visualization & Communication Gulf of Mexico Distribution/Boundaries

10. Science Impact 2003 Questions Science Impacts I What do we know now about Gulf of Mexico biodiversity? How many species reside in the Gulf of Mexico (LME)? Which species are endangered? Threatened? Invasive? Extinct? Which species are in which habitat? What is the distribution of each species? What taxonomic and ecologic literature is available? Who are the taxonomic authorities for Gulf species? Where focus future efforts – taxonomically, geographically?

11. Science Impacts II Benefits and Uses: Access checklist 24/7 Utilize full bibliographic database of all species Use checklist to determine species/taxon distribution by depth, geographic location, habitat Identify knowledge gaps by taxa, geographic region, habitat Focus research towards knowledge gaps Utilize data to establish MPAs Utilize for EIS preparation Follow trends in threatened, endangered, and invasive species Map patterns of species richness Provide consistent taxonomy Use for conservation and management Update or post new information immediately and at low cost

12. Societal Impact of Results to Date Development of Invasive Species “Early Warning System” with NOAA, HRI, TPWD Invasive Species Initiative on oil and gas platforms with SERC and HRI

13. Project Data Available in OBIS None! Will it be? H. Moody

14. Next Steps Phase II Phase II conversion to digital/database (2008) placement on GulfBase (late 2008) multiple analyses and applications (2009-2010) M. Wicksten H. Moody

15. Limits to Knowledge In Prep! ? Questions?