The Florida Keys: Pillar Patch

Sam Shaw and Tyler Williams

Pillar Patch

On Wednesday, May 24, the second site of the day we visited was Pillar Patch. It was named Pillar Patch due to the presence of Dendrogyra cylindras, which has a distinct “pillar-like” appearance, and is coated in what looks to be shag carpet, but really its tentacles. This patch is the last good stand of this pillar type coral. Over the last 3 years, over 90% of this coral has died out due to an unknown disease. Research is currently being done by organizations such as Keys Marine Lab, to attempt to save and preserve this coral before it completely dies out. Even at this site, there was evidence of pillar collection on some of the towers.

Due to its patch reef nature, the benthos consisted of rocky, hard bottoms interspersed with soft sediment patches. There was a significant presence of gorgonians over scleractinian corals, and overall the algal abundance was low. Out of the gorgonians present, sea rods and sea fans were more abundant than any other soft corals. The large soft coral presence could be due to the high wave energy of the system that we were in. Their flexibility prevents damaged caused by the wave energy compared to the scleractinian calcium carbonate structures. This could also account for the higher presence of boulder scleractinian forms, such as the brain corals.

Sea Fan and Sea Rod Corals
 with a French Angelfish 

Sea Fan Coral

            





Due to high southern winds, and an approaching storm front, the water was extremely choppy that day. The choppy water impacted the visibility, making it difficult to identify species from a distance. This difficulty may have impacted the observed diversity. Although the diversity of invertebrates, algae, and fishes was less compared to Coffins Patch (the first site of the day), it was higher in comparison to the near shore reef systems observed earlier in the week. Some of the fishes that were highest in abundance at this site included: Sergeant Major, Yellowtail Damselfish, Smallmouth Grunt, White Grunt, and Yellowtail Snapper.

Animal Species at Pillar Patch
Scientific Name:	Common Name:
Thalassoma bifasciatum	Bluehead Wrasse
Abudefduf saxatilis	Sergeant Major
Haemulon sciurus	Blue Striped Grunt
Ginglymostoma cirratum	Nurse Shark
Chrysiptera parasema	Yellowtail Damselfish
Haemulon plumierii	White Grunt
Lachnolaimus maximus	Hogfish
Acanthurus coeruleus	Blue Tang
Anisotremus virginicus	Porkfish
Haemulon sciurus	Blue Striped Grunt
Bodianus rufus	Spanish Hogfish
Haemulon carbonarium	Caesar Grunt
Haemulon melanurum	Cottonwick
Urobatis jamaicensis	Yellow Stingray
Epinephelus striatus	Nassau Grouper
Haemulon chrysargyreum	Smallmouth Grunt
Kyphosus vaigiensis	Brassy Chub

Coral and Sponge Species at Pillar Patch
Scientific Name	Common Name
-	Sea Fans
Xesospongia muta	Barrel Sponge
Colpophyllia natans	Brain Coral
Meandrina Meandrites	Brian Coral
Diploria labyrinthiformis	Brain Coral
Montastraea cavernosa	Great Star Coral
-	Sea Rod
Porites porites	Clubtip Finger Coral
Eusmilia fastigiata	Smooth Flower Coral