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2. Community dominated by the scleractinian Madrepora oculata on bathyal rocky bottom
DESCRIPTION: Madrepora oculata, along with other scleractinians such as Lophelia pertusa or
Solenosmilia variabilis, forms very deep-sea reefs. However, Madrepora oculata is not able to form reefs
in some areas, but it does appear as the predominant species in some communities. In these cases,
colonies of scleractinian appear more dispersed, mainly occupying vertical walls, canyon edges and rocky
overhangs.
Due to the fact that the density of Madrepora oculata in these cases is lower, it cannot be considered as a
reef, but it can be included in the type of “coral garden” habitat.
Also, when skeletons of colonies of dead Madrepora oculata cover the bottom area –which is known as
rubbles, a habitat that is usually populated by many species of sponges and other cnidarians- it can be
also considered as a “coral garden”.
DEPTH: 205 - 245 m
TYPE OF SUBSTRATE: Vertical walls or rocky overhangs, abrupt, with huge slope, sedimentary.
TYPICAL FAUNA OF THE COMMUNITY
PORIFERA
Encrusted desmosponges cf. Suberites carnosus
Geodia sp. Polymastia sp.
CNIDARIA
Acanthogorgia hirsuta Parazoanthus anguicomus
Antipathes dichotoma Parazoanthus axinellae
Dendrophyllia cornigera Polyplumaria flabellata
Parantipathes hirondelle
MOLLUSCA
Eledone cirrhosa
CRUSTACEA
Homarus gammarus Munida sp.
ECHINODERMATA
Antedon sp. Marthasterias glacialis
Echinus acutus Ophiothrix fragilis
ANNELIDA
Myxicola infundibulum Sabellidae
ECHIURA
Bonellia viridis
BRACHIOPODA
Cf. Megerlia truncata Cf. Novocrania anomala
CHORDATA: PISCES
Capros aper Gadiculus argenteus
Lophius piscatorius Phycis blennoides
AREAS WHERE THIS HABITAT IS PRESENT AND DOCUMENTED BY OCEANA
LOCATION COUNTRY COORDINATES
Aviles canyon Spain 43º 43,00235’N 06º 04,08362’W
Aviles canyon Spain 43º 43,09842’N 06º 03,91510’W
Aviles canyon Spain 43º 43,09717’N 06º 03,69090’W
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