Academic literature on the topic 'Indo-West Pacific'

Abstract The family Anchistioididae comprises a single genus Anchistioides with three species: A. compressus and A. willeyi from the tropical Indo-West Pacific, and A. antiguensis from the tropical West Atlantic. The two Indo-West Pacific species are known to be symbionts of sponges. Material collected in recent years throughout the Indo-West Pacific yielded range extensions as well as new host records. This material is herein described and their infraspecific morphological variation discussed.

This report provides a checklist of the echiuran fauna of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean and analyses their distribution in relation to general biogeographic regions. Currently the echiuran fauna of the Indo-West Pacific comprises three families, 30 genera and 103 species. The family Bonelliidae contains 43 species in 21 genera; the Echiuridae is represented by eight genera and 58 species, and the Urechidae by two species, Urechis novaezealandiae (Dendy) and U. unicinctus (von Drasche). Investigations undertaken on this group of animals after the publication of the monograph by Stephen & Edmonds (1972) on the phyla Sipuncula and Echiura have revealed one new genus, 15 new species and several new records. This study shows that the Indo-Pacific has a high species diversity, comprising about 62% of the known world fauna. The West Indian Ocean is currently represented by 28 species; 55 species have been recorded in the Central Indo-West Pacific and 53 species in the West Pacific. Only four species are thought to be cosmopolitan while approximately 50 species appear to be endemic to the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Members of the Echiuridae are usually found in shallow-waters of littoral and subtidal zones while bonelliids are inhabitants of deeper bottoms where cold temperatures prevail.

Gill material of 12 species of Indo-Pacific boxfishes was examined for species of Haliotrema. Four parasite species were recorded: H. trochaderoi n.sp., H. crymanum n.sp., H. lactoriae, and H. triacanthi. Haliotrema trochaderoi was taken from Ostracion meleagris, O. cyanurus, and O. cubicus from the West Pacific Ocean. Haliotrema crymanum was taken from O. cubicus from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. The morphology of these two species was compared with that of 10 other species of Haliotrema with similar male copulatory apparatus. Duncan's multiple range test indicated the two new species to be distinct from one another in all but 5 of 35 measurements (p = 0.005); multivariate analysis of variance and canonical discriminant analysis indicated them to be distinct from all Atlantic species of Haliotrema from boxfishes (p = 0.001). Haliotrema lactoriae was recorded from Lactoria cornuta, L. fornasini, and L. reipublicae, in addition to its type host, L. diaphana. It is specific to species of Lactoria but occurs on these throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Haliotrema triacanthi, previously known only from species of Triacanthus (Tetraodontiformes: Triacanthidae), was also found on Ostracion rhinorhynchus. It occurs on its hosts in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean.

Diagnoses, comparisons, photographs and distribution maps are given for three previously described Indo-West Pacific species of Trachinotus that develop spots on their sides as adults. A new species, Trachinotus macrospilus, is described from the Marquesas Islands where it is endemic and the only species of the genus present. It differs from the other spotted Indo-West Pacific species most noticeably in having adults with only one or two large spots on each side, the largest spot larger than the iris diameter, and in having no large spot positioned above the pectoral fin. An identification key is given for all Indo-West Pacific species of Trachinotus and a molecular phylogeny, including 16 of the 20 valid species of Trachinotus is presented. A neotype is designated for Scomber botla Shaw, 1803.

The Indo-Pacific is an extremely large marine realm that unites two oceans via a restricted Coral Triangle corridor, which was historically subjected to lowered sea levels during global glaciation. Although a strong phylogeographic focus on the Central and West Pacific has produced a large body of research, the Indian Ocean has been largely neglected. This may have serious consequences, because the Indian Ocean hosts a large number of marine centres of endemism, yet a large number of nations rely on its marine resources. We examine reasons for this neglect and review what is known about this region and its connectivity to the Indo-West Pacific. We draw attention to the ‘Leeuwin Effect’, a phenomenon where the southward flow of the Leeuwin Current is responsible for transporting larval propagules from the Coral Triangle region down the coast of Western Australia, resulting in broader Indo-West Pacific rather than Indian Ocean affinities. Given challenges in accessing infrastructure and samples, collaboration will inevitably be key to resolving data gaps. We challenge the assumption that the peak of shallow-water marine biodiversity is solely centred in the Coral Triangle, and raise awareness of a seemingly forgotten hypothesis promoting a secondary peak of biodiversity in the western Indian Ocean.

The stinger genus Inimicus Jordan & Starks, 1904 (family Synanceiidae), distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, is characterized by having two free pectoral-fin rays. Examination of the original descriptions and 420 specimens, including all available type specimens, of the genus resulted in the recognition of nine valid species: Inimicus brachyrhynchus (Bleeker, 1874) (recorded from Hong Kong and Singapore), I. caledonicus (Sauvage, 1878) (distributed in Andaman Sea and western Pacific Ocean), I. cuvieri (Gray, 1835) (Andaman Sea and western Pacific Ocean), I. didactylus (Pallas, 1769) (western Pacific), I. filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) (western Indian Ocean), I. gruzovi Mandrytsa, 1991 (Coral Sea), I. japonicus (Cuvier, 1829) (East Asia), I. sinensis (Valenciennes, 1833) (eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans), and I. smirnovi Mandrytsa, 1990 (southwestern Pacific Ocean). Inimicus joubini (Chevey, 1927), previously considered a valid species, is herein regarded as a junior synonym of I. japonicus. Another 10 nominal species are confirmed to be synonymized with the nine species. A revised diagnosis for each species and a key to all the species are provided.

It is often hypothesised that marine species with mobile planktonic phases are capable of widespread dispersal and may therefore be genetically homogenous throughout their distribution. Studies that have demonstrated positive correlation between duration of plankton phase and levels of gene flow reinforce the prediction that life history characteristics of marine species determine the potential extent of genetic and demographic connectivity throughout their distributions. This prediction has however been challenged by studies that have employed genetic markers highly sensitive to both historical and contemporary demographic changes. Disparities between dispersal potential and measured levels of gene flow have been demonstrated both among historically disconnected ocean basins and within semi-enclosed areas of strong hydraulic connectivity. These studies and others highlight a need for greater focus on factors that may influence population structure and distribution for marine species. In this thesis, I have examined genetic structure within and among populations of an estuarine species of mud crab Scylla serrata (Forskal, 1775) using a number of genetic markers and methods. The species is widely distributed throughout mangrove and estuarine habitats of the Indo - West Pacific (IWP); it is generally assumed that life-history characteristics of S. serrata promote high levels of population admixture and gene flow throughout its distribution. Alternatively, factors that have promoted population genetic structure for a variety of IWP marine species may also have affected S. serrata populations. By investigating genetic structure at several spatial scales of sampling, I was able to address a variety of hypotheses concerning the species distribution, dispersal, and genetic structure. Episodic changes to marine habitat and conditions experienced within the IWP during the Pleistocene may have affected genetic structure for a broad variety of marine taxa. The relative strength of this hypothesis may be assayed by comparative genetic studies of widespread IWP taxa with high dispersal capacity. In order to ascertain levels of historical and contemporary gene flow for S. serrata, I investigated the phylogeographic distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes sampled throughout the species range. Adults were sampled from three west Indian ocean locations (N=21), six west Pacific sites (N=68), and two sites from northern eastern Australia (N=35). Temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing of 549 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) coding gene identified 18 distinct haplotypes. Apart from that seen in northern Australia, haplotype diversity was low (h < 0.36) at each of the locations. Total nucleotide diversity in the entire sample (excluding northern Australian locations) was also low (p = 0.09). Haplotypes clustered into two clades separated by approximately 2% sequence divergence. One clade was widespread throughout the IWP (clade 1) whereas the other was strictly confined to northern Australia (clade 2). Genealogical assessment of sequenced haplotypes relative to their distributions suggested that a historical radiation of clade 1 S. serrata throughout the IWP occurred rapidly and recently (<1Myr bp) from a west Pacific origin. The evidence of fixed unique haplotypes at the majority of locations suggested that contemporary maternal gene flow between trans-oceanic sites was limited. Contrary to reports for other widespread species of IWP taxa, there was no evidence of lengthy periods of regional separation between Indian from Pacific Ocean populations. However, results may indicate a separation of northern Australian crabs from other locations before and during the IWP radiation. I speculated that this isolation might have resulted in the formation of a new species of Scylla. Additional sampling of mud crabs from the Australian coastline allowed an examination of the diversity and distribution of clade 1 and 2 haplotypes among recently formed shelf-connected coastal locations, and across a historical bio-geographic barrier. Over 300 individuals were sampled from multiple locations within coastal regions (western, northern and eastern) of Australia and analysed for mutational differences at the COI gene. Analysis of molecular variance partitioned by sampling scale (Among regions, within regions, and within all locations) indicated mitochondrial haplotypes were structured regionally (P < 0.001), which contrasted with evidence of genetic panmixia within regions. Regional genetic structure broadly correlated with hydrological circulation, supporting the contention that release and transport of propagules away from the estuary may allow genetic connectivity among widespread shelf-connected S. serrata populations. That similar patterns of maternal gene flow were absent among trans-oceanic populations may indicate that the spatial scale of effective dispersal for this species is generally limited to areas of coastal shelf. The two clades of haplotypes were geographically separated either side of the Torres Strait, a narrow sea channel connecting the northern and eastern regions of coastal Australia. This pattern of historical genetic separation was concordant with a number of other marine species across northern Australia, and might indicate a shared history of vicariance induced by eustasy. Alternatively, differences in diversity and distribution of the clades may be evidence of two independent expansions of clade 1 and 2 crab populations into Australian regions following post-glacial estuary formation. Overall, despite evidence of genetic panmixia within extensive sections of the Australian distribution, there was also evidence of significant barriers to maternal gene flow with both shallow and deep regional phylogeographic assortment of mtDNA haplotypes. The presence of these barriers indicated both historical and contemporary factors have imposed limits to effective dispersal by this species among coastal habitats. A subset of the Australian sample (8 locations, N = 188) was also examined for variation at five microsatellite loci developed specifically here for S. serrata. I examined variation among samples at each of the loci to: a) independently verify regional structure among crab populations previously detected using the mtDNA analysis; b) test for evidence of co-distributed non-interbreeding stocks of S. serrata within Australian waters by examining samples for segregation of alleles within microsatellite loci concordant with the two mtDNA clades. The frequency and distribution of alleles for each of the highly polymorphic microsatellites were homogenous at all levels of sample partitioning and contrasted sharply with the instances of both weak and strong regional phylogeographic assortment of mtDNA haplotypes. These contrasting results between different genomic markers were examined in relation to the species life history, and to differences in mutational rate and inheritance of the genetic markers. Several hypotheses may explain the disparity, however it is most likely that rampant homoplasy and high rates of mutation at the microsatellite in conjunction with large Ne at locations may be concerted to delay equilibrium between genetic drift and migration among populations at these highly polymorphic nuclear markers. There was also no evidence that alleles at microsatellite loci were co-segregated with mtDNA clades and therefore no evidence of segregated breeding between the clades of crabs. Whether or not this result was also driven by homoplasy at the microsatellites remains unknown. Recently established mud crab populations (~ 3-4 years old) observed in a number of southwest Australian estuaries are almost 1000 kilometres south of their previously recorded distribution on the Western Australian coast. Colonisation of the southwest region may have occurred either by a natural range expansion from northwest Australian mud crab populations or by means of translocation from any number of mud crab sources within the Indo - West Pacific. I used mtDNA analysis to verify the species and determine the potential source population(s) of the colonists, by comparing sampled genetic material from the southwest (N = 32) against that previously described for the genus. I also compared levels of diversity at mtDNA and two microsatellite loci between the colonist and suspected source population(s) to qualitatively determine if the southwest populations experienced reductions in genetic diversity as a result of the colonisation process. All colonist samples had S. serrata mtDNA COI sequences identical to one previously described as both prevalent and endemic to northwest Australia. High levels of genetic diversity among source and colonist populations at two microsatellite loci contrasted to the mitochondrial locus which displayed an absence of variation among colonists compared to moderately diverse source populations. I argued that the southwest was recently colonised by large numbers of S. serrata propagules derived from the northwest of Australia, possibly due to an enhanced recruitment event coinciding with the reported strengthening of the Leeuwin Current during 1999. Contrasting levels of diversity among nuclear and mitochondrial loci may be attributed to a difference in response by the two genomes to the colonisation process. I predict that such differences may be generally prevalent among plankton-dispersed species. Finally, I discuss aspects of the species distribution and biogeography obtained as a composite of the various results and ideas expressed in this thesis. I propose that S. serrata populations in the IWP may have experienced several cycles of extinction and population retraction from temperate areas followed by subsequent periods of colonisation and rapid coastal expansion in response to the effects of glacial episodes on coastal habitats in the IWP. I propose that persistence of this species as remnant populations of clade 1 and 2 crabs at equatorial locations during low sea level stands provided source populations for later expansions by the species into a variety of coastal areas throughout the IWP. Further analysis is required to determine if mtDNA clade 1 and 2 crabs are non-interbreeding species of mud crab.

It is often hypothesised that marine species with mobile planktonic phases are capable of widespread dispersal and may therefore be genetically homogenous throughout their distribution. Studies that have demonstrated positive correlation between duration of plankton phase and levels of gene flow reinforce the prediction that life history characteristics of marine species determine the potential extent of genetic and demographic connectivity throughout their distributions. This prediction has however been challenged by studies that have employed genetic markers highly sensitive to both historical and contemporary demographic changes. Disparities between dispersal potential and measured levels of gene flow have been demonstrated both among historically disconnected ocean basins and within semi-enclosed areas of strong hydraulic connectivity. These studies and others highlight a need for greater focus on factors that may influence population structure and distribution for marine species. In this thesis, I have examined genetic structure within and among populations of an estuarine species of mud crab Scylla serrata (Forskal, 1775) using a number of genetic markers and methods. The species is widely distributed throughout mangrove and estuarine habitats of the Indo - West Pacific (IWP); it is generally assumed that life-history characteristics of S. serrata promote high levels of population admixture and gene flow throughout its distribution. Alternatively, factors that have promoted population genetic structure for a variety of IWP marine species may also have affected S. serrata populations. By investigating genetic structure at several spatial scales of sampling, I was able to address a variety of hypotheses concerning the species distribution, dispersal, and genetic structure. Episodic changes to marine habitat and conditions experienced within the IWP during the Pleistocene may have affected genetic structure for a broad variety of marine taxa. The relative strength of this hypothesis may be assayed by comparative genetic studies of widespread IWP taxa with high dispersal capacity. In order to ascertain levels of historical and contemporary gene flow for S. serrata, I investigated the phylogeographic distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes sampled throughout the species range. Adults were sampled from three west Indian ocean locations (N=21), six west Pacific sites (N=68), and two sites from northern eastern Australia (N=35). Temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing of 549 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) coding gene identified 18 distinct haplotypes. Apart from that seen in northern Australia, haplotype diversity was low (h < 0.36) at each of the locations. Total nucleotide diversity in the entire sample (excluding northern Australian locations) was also low (p = 0.09). Haplotypes clustered into two clades separated by approximately 2% sequence divergence. One clade was widespread throughout the IWP (clade 1) whereas the other was strictly confined to northern Australia (clade 2). Genealogical assessment of sequenced haplotypes relative to their distributions suggested that a historical radiation of clade 1 S. serrata throughout the IWP occurred rapidly and recently (<1Myr bp) from a west Pacific origin. The evidence of fixed unique haplotypes at the majority of locations suggested that contemporary maternal gene flow between trans-oceanic sites was limited. Contrary to reports for other widespread species of IWP taxa, there was no evidence of lengthy periods of regional separation between Indian from Pacific Ocean populations. However, results may indicate a separation of northern Australian crabs from other locations before and during the IWP radiation. I speculated that this isolation might have resulted in the formation of a new species of Scylla. Additional sampling of mud crabs from the Australian coastline allowed an examination of the diversity and distribution of clade 1 and 2 haplotypes among recently formed shelf-connected coastal locations, and across a historical bio-geographic barrier. Over 300 individuals were sampled from multiple locations within coastal regions (western, northern and eastern) of Australia and analysed for mutational differences at the COI gene. Analysis of molecular variance partitioned by sampling scale (Among regions, within regions, and within all locations) indicated mitochondrial haplotypes were structured regionally (P < 0.001), which contrasted with evidence of genetic panmixia within regions. Regional genetic structure broadly correlated with hydrological circulation, supporting the contention that release and transport of propagules away from the estuary may allow genetic connectivity among widespread shelf-connected S. serrata populations. That similar patterns of maternal gene flow were absent among trans-oceanic populations may indicate that the spatial scale of effective dispersal for this species is generally limited to areas of coastal shelf. The two clades of haplotypes were geographically separated either side of the Torres Strait, a narrow sea channel connecting the northern and eastern regions of coastal Australia. This pattern of historical genetic separation was concordant with a number of other marine species across northern Australia, and might indicate a shared history of vicariance induced by eustasy. Alternatively, differences in diversity and distribution of the clades may be evidence of two independent expansions of clade 1 and 2 crab populations into Australian regions following post-glacial estuary formation. Overall, despite evidence of genetic panmixia within extensive sections of the Australian distribution, there was also evidence of significant barriers to maternal gene flow with both shallow and deep regional phylogeographic assortment of mtDNA haplotypes. The presence of these barriers indicated both historical and contemporary factors have imposed limits to effective dispersal by this species among coastal habitats. A subset of the Australian sample (8 locations, N = 188) was also examined for variation at five microsatellite loci developed specifically here for S. serrata. I examined variation among samples at each of the loci to: a) independently verify regional structure among crab populations previously detected using the mtDNA analysis; b) test for evidence of co-distributed non-interbreeding stocks of S. serrata within Australian waters by examining samples for segregation of alleles within microsatellite loci concordant with the two mtDNA clades. The frequency and distribution of alleles for each of the highly polymorphic microsatellites were homogenous at all levels of sample partitioning and contrasted sharply with the instances of both weak and strong regional phylogeographic assortment of mtDNA haplotypes. These contrasting results between different genomic markers were examined in relation to the species life history, and to differences in mutational rate and inheritance of the genetic markers. Several hypotheses may explain the disparity, however it is most likely that rampant homoplasy and high rates of mutation at the microsatellite in conjunction with large Ne at locations may be concerted to delay equilibrium between genetic drift and migration among populations at these highly polymorphic nuclear markers. There was also no evidence that alleles at microsatellite loci were co-segregated with mtDNA clades and therefore no evidence of segregated breeding between the clades of crabs. Whether or not this result was also driven by homoplasy at the microsatellites remains unknown. Recently established mud crab populations (~ 3-4 years old) observed in a number of southwest Australian estuaries are almost 1000 kilometres south of their previously recorded distribution on the Western Australian coast. Colonisation of the southwest region may have occurred either by a natural range expansion from northwest Australian mud crab populations or by means of translocation from any number of mud crab sources within the Indo - West Pacific. I used mtDNA analysis to verify the species and determine the potential source population(s) of the colonists, by comparing sampled genetic material from the southwest (N = 32) against that previously described for the genus. I also compared levels of diversity at mtDNA and two microsatellite loci between the colonist and suspected source population(s) to qualitatively determine if the southwest populations experienced reductions in genetic diversity as a result of the colonisation process. All colonist samples had S. serrata mtDNA COI sequences identical to one previously described as both prevalent and endemic to northwest Australia. High levels of genetic diversity among source and colonist populations at two microsatellite loci contrasted to the mitochondrial locus which displayed an absence of variation among colonists compared to moderately diverse source populations. I argued that the southwest was recently colonised by large numbers of S. serrata propagules derived from the northwest of Australia, possibly due to an enhanced recruitment event coinciding with the reported strengthening of the Leeuwin Current during 1999. Contrasting levels of diversity among nuclear and mitochondrial loci may be attributed to a difference in response by the two genomes to the colonisation process. I predict that such differences may be generally prevalent among plankton-dispersed species. Finally, I discuss aspects of the species distribution and biogeography obtained as a composite of the various results and ideas expressed in this thesis. I propose that S. serrata populations in the IWP may have experienced several cycles of extinction and population retraction from temperate areas followed by subsequent periods of colonisation and rapid coastal expansion in response to the effects of glacial episodes on coastal habitats in the IWP. I propose that persistence of this species as remnant populations of clade 1 and 2 crabs at equatorial locations during low sea level stands provided source populations for later expansions by the species into a variety of coastal areas throughout the IWP. Further analysis is required to determine if mtDNA clade 1 and 2 crabs are non-interbreeding species of mud crab.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Australian School of Environmental Studies
Full Text

Sesarmid crabs have important ecological roles in the mangroves of the Indo-west-Pacific biogeographic region. By processing large amount of leaf litter, these crabs retain organic matter in the mangroves, increase the rate of mineralisation, and fuel additional trophic links with the processed material. However, the dietary composition of the mangrove sesarmids is still a controversy. Gut content analyses suggest a dominant contribution of mangrove leaf litter in the crab diet but stable isotope data seem to support the assimilation of organic matter derived from the microphytobenthos but not mangrove litter. In addition, ability of the sesarmid crabs to obtain sufficient nutrition from mangrove litter, which is rich in structural carbon (cellulose) but poor in other nutrients such as nitrogen, has been questioned. The over-arching goal of this thesis was to fill these gaps of knowledge in detritivory of the mangrove sesarmids, using Parasesarma erythodactyla (Hess, 1865), the dominant shredder in sub-tropical Australian mangroves, as an animal model.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Full Text

Scylla serrata is a portunid crab which can attain a weight of over 2 kg and a carapace width exceeding 250 mm. It is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific extending down the east coast of Africa, and both the east and west coasts of Australia. In Australia it is commonly known as the mud crab because it occurs within muddy, mangrove-lined bays and estuaries. Mud crabs are generalist predators eating most small, slow moving animals which they can catch, but they are also vigorous scavengers. Being scavengers, they are readily caught in baited traps set by commercial and recreational fishers, and are the stock for these popular fisheries. Female crabs spawn offshore and larvae spend a period in the plankton where they develop into postlarvae or megalopae...
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Full Text

碩士
國立中山大學
海洋生物科技暨資源學系研究所
107
Seagrass, as marine angiosperms, plays an important role in coastal ecosystems. Understanding the population connectivity between geographic regions is important for their future restoration. Halophila ovalis is distributed in the Indo- West Pacific and can produce recruits through both asexual and sexual reproduction. The former uses rhizomatous rametes or rhizome fragments to disperse, the latter uses seeds to achieve the purpose of expanding their population. Since it’s fruits and seeds have negative buoyance and the seeds of H. ovalis could pass through the digestive tract of waterfowls and lead to higher germination rates than un-ingested controls. Therefore, biological vectors (i.e. migratory birds) may be a possible mechanism for long-distance dispersal. In this study, we collected 625 samples from 23 sites to understand the population connectivity of H. ovalis in the Indo-West Pacific. ITS and microsatellite loci were used to barcode and reveal the population connectivity pattern, respectively. According to the result, 432 samples of H. ovalis from 17 sites were used in this study. High level genetic diversity was found within 17 populations. The results of FST analysis showed that significant genetic differentiation was found among H. ovalis populations in the Indo- West Pacific. The results of STRUCTURE analysis showed that most of H. ovalis populations in the Indo- West Pacific possess unique genetic composition. Indicate that the gene flow between H. ovalis populations in the Indo- West Pacific is limited, therefore, long-distance dispersal by migratory birds is unlikely the main mechanism for shaping their connectivity pattern, and we suggest at least three cryptic species may occur within its distribution.

Most of the diverse groups of crustaceans associated with scleractinian and fire corals form symbiotic relationship with their coral hosts. Coral-associated barnacles include species from the orders Acrothoracica and Thoracica. Most of the coral-associated barnacles belong to the family Pyrgomatidae in Thoracica. Within Pyrgomatidae, the subfamily Ceratoconchinae contains mostly extant species and is present from Florida through the Caribbean to Brazilian waters. The subfamily Megatrematinae has lower species diversity and has a cosmopolitan distribution (except the Eastern Pacific). The Pyrgomatinae are the most species-rich subfamily and distributed only in Indo-West Pacific waters. Host usage of pyrgomatinid barnacles varies spatially, probably related to coral host diversity. Copepods are the most common and most abundant coral-associated crustaceans, often associated with scleractinian, gorgonian, and alcyonacean corals. More than 90% of coral-associated copepods are endemic to the Indo-West Pacific. In contrast, only a few species (<10%) have been discovered from the Atlantic due to several historical perturbations reducing the diversity of their coral hosts. The communities of coral-associated copepods thus show dramatic differences between geographic regions, notably between the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Brachyurans of the family Cryptochiridae (gall crabs) are obligate associates or parasites, of scleractinian coral hosts in tropical and subtropical seas, being a monophyletic group of only 52 species, from the intertidal to the deep sea (to 512 m) habitats with most (46) recorded in the seas of the tropical Indo-West Pacific and none being cosmopolitan. Atlantic species of Cryptochiridae, apparently not phylogenetically related, display less strict host specificity than their Indo-West Pacific counterparts. Current phylogenetic understandings of the group remain preliminary, while one consistent Indo-West Pacific clade reflects rapid species diversification during the last ~15 million years.

The three-way collision of the Indo-Australian, Eurasian and Pacific plates have resulted in Southeast Asia being the most tectonically complex region on Earth. This is particularly true for Offshore Aceh’s Andaman Sub-Basin, which has undergone complex late Eocene-Recent evolution. Despite a long history of hydrocarbon exploration and production, data scarcity in the offshore means that the Sub-Basin’s regional tectonics and structural framework have been poorly understood. Pre-1996 2D seismic data were low-fold and low-offset, however the 2019 PGS (NSMC3D) regional 3D survey imaged the entire Cenozoic sequence, enabling the delineation of a high-resolution tectonic framework for the first time. Integration of interpretations drawn from geophysical datasets with a 2019 biostratigraphy study has refined the ages of critical sequence boundaries and advanced the understanding of major structural elements. GEM™, the Geognostics Earth Model, has been used to place these interpretations in a regional tectonic and kinematic context using a series of high resolution plate animations. Andaman Sub-Basin formation initiated in response to the northward motion of India and collision with Eurasia, suturing the West Burma and Sibumasu Terranes through the middle-late Eocene. Continued northward motion of the Indo-Australian Plate resulted in further subduction along the Sunda Trench with associated oblique back-arc extension in present-day onshore and offshore Java and Sumatra. Concurrent rotation of Sundaland, with sinistral strike-slip motion along the Ranong and Khlong Mauri fault zones, resulted in the two rifting phases within the late Eocene (~40Ma) to early Oligocene in the Andaman Sub-Basin. Significant inversion events at 30Ma and 23Ma formed in response to dextral transpression associated with rotational extrusion of Indochina and Sundaland. Rapid subsidence followed the 30Ma inversion, resulting in a switch to post-rift sag and bathyal conditions during which turbidites infilled seabed topography. The onset of dextral strike slip between the West Burma Terrane along the Saigang fault system occurred at ~26Ma, causing transtension in the Andaman Sub-basin that terminated at 23Ma. At approximately 5Ma inversion and toe thrusts developed along the Sub-Basin’s southern margin due to uplift within the Barisan mountains. Refinement of the tectonic model, integrated with updated biostratigraphic and geochemical models, resulted in a revised tectono-stratigraphy for the Andaman Sub-Basin, which provides a predictive depositional model in which paleogeography and structural reactivation can be understood in a regional context.