Shelf habitat distribution as a legacy of Late Quaternary marine transgressions: A case study from a tropical carbonate province

► Drowned forereef preserved in largely unaltered form in 60 m water depth. ► Submerged aeolian dunes preserved as aeolianite ridges on inner shelf. ► Dissected remnants of Last Interglacial reef also preserved. ► Relict features give hardground habitat for sponge, coral gardens and thereby influence spatial pattern of marine biodiversity.