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Effect of climatic fluctuations on the distribution of warm-water coral Astroides calycularis in the Adriatic Sea: new records and review

Three colonies of warm-water coral Astroides calycularis were found at the eastern part of the middle Adriatic Sea during the 1990-2001 period. For each specimen, depth distribution and habitat were recorded. Previous and recent knowledge of this species in the Adriatic Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea was discussed, considering climatic changes and hemispheric warming. Occurrence of Astroides calycularis in the Adriatic Sea was related to the increased heat content of the surface marine layer. Variable temperature conditions were connected to the climatic changes on the hemispheric scale through the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. The prevailing current system together with the shape and bottom composition favours the presence of the studied warm-water coral on the eastern Adriatic coast.

warm-water coral; Astroides calycularis; climatic fluctuations; Adriatic Sea; NAO-index

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