Azores Coral HotSpot - Revealing the Hidden Biodiversity of Azorean Cold-Water Corals
- FAM Foundation
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
The Azores are widely recognized as a biodiversity hotspot in the North Atlantic. Yet paradoxically, they remain a genomic coldspot — particularly for deep-sea cold-water corals (CWCs), key ecosystem engineers that structure benthic habitats and sustain marine biodiversity.
The Coral HotSpot project, supported by the FAM Foundation, set out to address this knowledge gap by conducting the first integrative systematic study of Azorean black corals and octocorals, combining advanced genomic sequencing with high-resolution morphological analyses .
Running from February 2025 to February 2026, the project was led by Teresa Cerqueira, hosted by OKEANOS and Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation, (OKEANOS – University of the Azores), in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and major European museum collections.
Scientific Breakthroughs
Between February 2025 and February 2026, the project examined 108 coral specimens, including contemporary samples from the University of the Azores and historical type specimens from major European museum collections . By successfully adapting genome-skimming techniques to historical material, the team generated genetic data from early 20th-century specimens for the first time.
This methodological innovation enabled the reconstruction of robust phylogenomic trees that clarified long-standing taxonomic ambiguities unresolved by morphology alone. The integration of molecular and morphological approaches represents a significant advancement in deep-sea coral systematics and sets a new standard for future biodiversity research.
Unlocking Historical Genomic Archives
A major methodological innovation was the successful adaptation of genomic protocols for historical museum specimens, including coral type specimens collected during early 20th-century oceanographic campaigns .
For the first time, genetic data were generated from 13 historical octocoral type specimens. These data were incorporated into newly constructed phylogenomic trees that integrate both contemporary and historical samples, enabling a robust evolutionary framework.
This achievement represents a breakthrough in deep-sea coral systematics. By integrating genomic information from century-old specimens, the project resolved evolutionary relationships that morphology alone could not clarify, effectively closing taxonomic uncertainties that had persisted for decades.
Large-Scale Sample Processing and Analytical Depth
The scale of specimen processing further reinforces the scientific robustness of the project. A total of 108 coral specimens were examined, including 72 contemporary samples from the University of the Azores and 36 historical museum specimens .
Morphological analyses were conducted using SEM imaging, which allowed detailed visualization of skeletal microstructures essential for octocoral taxonomy. In parallel, molecular analyses applied genome sequencing and advanced bioinformatics pipelines to construct phylogenetic frameworks with high statistical confidence.
This comprehensive dataset provides one of the most detailed integrative assessments of cold-water corals ever conducted in the Northeast Atlantic.
Discovery of Five New Species
One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the preliminary identification of five new cold-water coral species from the Azores . These include two black corals and three octocoral species belonging to the genera Aquaumbra and Alcyonium, with formal descriptions currently underway.
The discovery of previously undocumented species reinforces the Azores as a center of deep-sea endemism and highlights the ecological uniqueness of its benthic habitats.
Informing Marine Protected Area Management
The project’s outcomes align with a critical moment for regional ocean governance. In December 2024, the Azores established the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in the North Atlantic, covering approximately 287,000 km² .
The newly refined taxonomic knowledge strengthens the scientific basis of this network. Areas hosting endemic or highly range-restricted species gain elevated conservation value and may warrant enhanced protection in future MPA revisions or expansions.
Strengthening International Environmental Frameworks
By improving taxonomic resolution and reducing uncertainty in species identification, the project strengthens environmental impact assessments and supports ecosystem-based management approaches.
Its findings contribute to international conservation frameworks such as the EU Habitats Directive, the OSPAR Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the emerging UN Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction .
Enabling Biodiversity Finance and Future Investment
The refined understanding of species richness, endemism, and habitat specificity enhances baseline ecological knowledge required for biodiversity finance mechanisms, including biodiversity credit schemes.
By documenting new species and clarifying conservation baselines, Coral HotSpot strengthens the scientific foundation necessary for credible biodiversity investment models .
The initiative fostered international collaboration between the University of the Azores, the Smithsonian Institution, and European natural history museums, while contributing to capacity building in advanced genomic and taxonomic methodologies.
Conclusion: Advancing SDG 14 Through Science
The Coral HotSpot project exemplifies how rigorous taxonomy, modern genomics, and science-to-policy engagement can work together to safeguard vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. By revealing hidden biodiversity and clarifying evolutionary histories, the project provides essential knowledge for the sustainable management of the Azores’ marine environment.
These outcomes directly contribute to SDG 14 — Life Below Water — reinforcing the role of science-driven philanthropy in advancing marine conservation at regional and global scales .
Please find more information on the report above.
FAM Foundation is committed with the sustainable development goals, Blue Carbon in Algarve project impact the following SGD's.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
