Notes on the shallow water gorgonian-associated fauna on coral reefs in Singapore

Abstract

Gorgonian-associated fauna from Singapore are listed, representated by seven phyla, 17 families, 23 genera and 23 identified and seven unidentified species. Museum reference numbers, method of collection, locality, depth (where available), host, collector, and date collected (where available) are presented for each specimen collected. The associated animal is also classified in terms of the frequency of occurrence on host species (common, occasional, rare), persistence of the relationship (persistent or intermittent occurrence on host), category of association (scavenger, predator, parasite, commensal, mutualist), location in the host (endo- or ecto-symbiont), dependence on host (obligate or facultative), and specificity to particular host species or genera. At least 16 of the 31 known gorgonian species in Singapore host associated fauna.