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Journal of Tropical Oceanography

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Diversity of Stony‑Coral Species in Typical Mesophotic Reefs of the South China Sea

HUANG Hui1, 2, 3, CHEN Huizhen1, 3, 4, JIA Zhiyu1, 3, 4, LIN Xianzhi1, 2, 3, ZHANG Beiye1, 3, 4, HUANG Lintao1, 2, 3, JIANG Lei1, 2, LIU Sheng1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China;

    2. Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Marine Ecology and Environmental Engineering, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Sanya 572000, China;

    3. Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China;

    4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.



  • Received:2026-03-18 Revised:2026-04-27 Accepted:2026-06-05
  • Supported by:

    Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program (Grant No.2022FY100600)

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Abstract: In the context of global climate change, mesophotic coral ecosystems are considered potential refugia for shallow coral reef organisms. In this study, ecological surveys were conducted in 2024 at mesophotic habitats (30–56m depth) in the Xisha Islands and the Nansha Islands (Meiji Reef) of the South China Sea. A total of 125 species of stony corals were recorded, belonging to 55 genera and 17 families, including three species newly recorded for Chinese Mainland. Specifically, 100 species (17 families, 52 genera) were documented in the Xisha Islands, and 44 species (11 families, 22 genera) in the Nansha Islands. The mesophotic stony coral assemblages in the South China Sea were dominated by members of the families Acroporidae, Merulinidae, Agariciidae, and Fungiidae. Coral growth forms were primarily characterized by plating, encrusting, and submassive morphologies, reflecting pronounced adaptations to low-light environments. This study provides a preliminary assessment of species diversity and growth-form characteristics of mesophotic stony corals in the South China Sea, offering baseline data for understanding the structure of mesophotic coral reef ecosystems and responses of these reefs to environmental change. The findings also contribute to ecological conservation and biodiversity protection on coral reef ecosystems in this region.

Key words: mesophotic coral ecosystem (MCE), stony coral, the South China Sea, species diversity