Keywords
coralline calcareous algae
marine biogeography
Colombian Caribbean
Tropical Eastern Pacific
mesophotic ecosystems
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Abstract
Rhodoliths are free-living calcareous nodules produced by non-articulated crustose coralline algae that form benthic ecosystems with a wide global distribution and high ecological importance. However, their occurrence in the southwestern Caribbean and the Eastern Tropical Pacific remains poorly known. Here, we present the first synthesis of rhodolith records from Colombia, integrating fossil evidence, previous literature, and recent observations from shallow and mesophotic environments to evaluate their distribution, geological context, and ecological relevance. The fossil record indicates that rhodoliths have been present in the Colombian Caribbean since the Middle Eocene, associated with carbonate factories dominated by crustose coralline algae, revealing a long geological history of carbonate systems related to these organisms that provides context for their present occurrence. Current records document rhodolith presence in 14 localities of the Colombian Caribbean, including mesophotic systems, which expands our knowledge of the distribution and known depth range of these habitats in the country. In contrast, the Colombian Pacific has limited records, mainly associated with shallow rocky substrates. Overall, the results show that Colombia is underrepresented in rhodolith studies but is strategically important for understanding the biogeography, ecology, and evolution of rhodoliths and rhodolith beds, highlighting the need to strengthen taxonomic, spatial, and functional studies to determine the distribution, composition, and conservation status of these ecosystems, as well as to incorporate them into marine conservation strategies.
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