Occurrence dataset Registered July 07, 2022

    Report of deep-sea Porifera (Euplectellidae, Euretidae, Hylanematidae, Pheronematidae, Rossellidae) in the southern Colombian Caribbean.

    Garcia S M • Dueñas L F • Puentes V • Dueñas L F

    Description

    Deep-sea research activities in Colombia are growing in a fast pace, and possibilities for substantial scientific discoveries are more reachable than ever. During 2015 to 2017 Anadarko Colombia Company (ACC), in search of hydrocarbon sources in the southern Colombian Caribbean, explored deep-waters between 375 to 2500 depth. Thanks to these exploratory activities, and through ROV surveys and towed cameras, it was possible to record the diverse animals inhabiting the deep sea. The sponges (Porifera) encountered during the exploratory activities, which were identified to the most exact taxonomic level, are presented in the current data.

    The data presented here corresponds to 81 occurrences of deep-sea Echinoderm. The taxonomic coverage of this dataset includes 1 class, 3 orders, 5 families, 4 genus and 3 species. There is a 26% classifed to the species level, 14% to class, 11% to family, 5% to order, 43% to genus, and 1% phylum.

    Geographic scope

    Description

    Anadarko Colombia Company’s hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Southwestern Colombian Caribbean Sea, include four wells (i.e. Gorgon A-1, Calasu 1, Kronos 1, and Purple Angel C-1), and five other areas of interest (i.e. Chamana, Chamai, Yaduli, Cana Norte, and Cawa). The exploratory wells and areas of interest are localized in the South-western Colombian Caribbean, at depths between 120 m and 2568 m. In general, wells and areas of interest are approximately 54km to 74km offshore from the nearest point in the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

    Latitude
    From 9.005 to 10.493
    Longitude
    From -76.915 to -76.21

    Temporal scope

    range
    September 29, 2015 - October 05, 2015

    Taxonomic scope

    Description

    The data presented here corresponds to 81 occurrences (26 of Euplectellidae, 4 of Euretidae, 23 of Hyalonematidae, 3 of Pheronematidae, 9 of Rossellidae) of deep-sea Echinoderm. The taxonomic coverage of this dataset includes 1 class, 3 orders, 5 families, 4 genus and 3 species. There is a 26% classifed to the species level, 14% to class, 11% to family, 5% to order, 43% to genus, and 1% phylum.

    Coverage
    Hexactinellida
    AmphidiscosidaLyssacinosidaSceptrulophora
    Euplectellidae

    Methodology

    Sampling

    Survey areas of interest were assessed using 25 towed camera transects. The cameras registered seafloor features during 3-hour surveys, taking still images every 20 seconds. Benthic and bentho-pelagic megafauna specimens were recorded in the images

    Study extent

    Anadarko Colombia Company hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Southwestern Colombian Caribbean, include four wells (i.e. Gorgon A-1, Calasu 1, Kronos 1, and Purple Angel C-1), and the other areas of interest (i.e. Chamana, Chamai, Yaduli, Cana Norte, and Cawa). The exploratory wells and areas of interest are localized in the South-western Colombian Caribbean, at depths between 375 m and 2500 m. In general, wells and areas of interest are approximately 54km to 74km offshore from the nearest point in the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

    Quality control

    Still images and pictures of towed cameras were analyzed twice by the same expert, who did the preliminary identification to phylum and class. All porifera images were then identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. When in doubt about the identification, additional experts were contacted and the images were sent to them in a .jpg file for towed camera photographs, and as a snapshot (also in jpg format) for ROV videos.

    Method steps
    1. ROV surveys consisted of 80 meter-long transects in cross fashion, north, south, east, and west, from a central point that could be a transponder (tool for positioning of the drilling vessel) or the exact drilling location.

    2. We analyzed a total of 5066 photographs, looking for benthic and bentho-pelagic fauna. The presence of porifera was recorded in the wells Calasu, Chamana, Kronos, CanaNorte, Yaduli, Chamai, Cauwa. Each organism was identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, and coordinates and depth were registered. We cropped the photographs to include only the organism, and performed image correction to reduce the blueish color cast with the Auto Tone function in Adobe Photoshop CC 2018.

    3. Using photographs and video footage, all the organisms were grouped to Phylum and Class. In this paper, we only highlight the occurrences for the Phylum Porifera. Porifera were further identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, based on comparison with literature, databases and with the help of taxonomic experts from each group. The taxonomy here presented is in accordance to the World Register of Marine Species – WORMS (http://www.marinespecies.org/).

    Metrics

    Contacts

    • Sarha M. Garcia

      Originator
      Metadata author
      Administrative point of contact
      Organization
      Universidad Nacional de Colombia
      Position
      Biology undergraduate student
      Roles
      Originator
      Metadata author
      Administrative point of contact
      Email
    • Luisa F Dueñas

      Originator
      Organization
      Universidad Nacional de Colombia
      Position
      Assistant Professor Unal - Bogotá
      Roles
      Originator
    • Vladimir Puentes

      Originator
      Organization
      Fundacion Amano
      Position
      Senior Fisheries / Environmental Advisor
      Roles
      Originator
    • Luisa F. Dueñas

      Metadata author
      Organization
      Universidad Nacional de Colombia
      Position
      Assistant Professor Unal - Bogotá
      Roles
      Metadata author
    • Vladimir Puentes

      Custodian steward
      Administrative point of contact
      Organization
      Fundación Amano
      Position
      Asesor Ambiental / Pesquero Senior
      Roles
      Custodian steward
      Administrative point of contact
      Email
    • Luisa F. Dueñas

      Administrative point of contact
      Organization
      Universidad Nacional de Colombia
      Position
      Assistant Professor Unal - Bogotá
      Roles
      Administrative point of contact
      Email
      User ID

    GBIF registration

    Registration date
    July 07, 2022
    Metadata last modified
    June 17, 2024
    Publication date
    July 07, 2022
    Hosted by
    Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras - Invemar
    Installation
    IPT SiB Marino
    Endpoints
    Darwin Core Archive
    EML
    Preferred identifier
    10.15472/mjrf3a
    Alternative identifiers

    Citation

    Garcia S M, Dueñas L F, Puentes V, Dueñas L F (2022). Report of deep-sea Porifera (Euplectellidae, Euretidae, Hylanematidae, Pheronematidae, Rossellidae) in the southern Colombian Caribbean.. Anadarko Colombia Company. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15472/mjrf3a accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-08-02.