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1. Forest of the scleractinian Dendrophyllia sp.
1.1 Dendrophyllia ramea forest on infralittoral and circalittoral bottoms
DESCRIPTION: Dendrophyllia ramea forests are common below -15/-20 metres in the waters of the Gulf of
Cádiz. In some areas they can mix with other “coral gardens” made up of Leptogorgia and Eunicella
gorgonians that are also frequently found in shallow waters -8/-10 m. up to approximately -60/-70 m.
Important facies of protected species can also found in these forests, such as the orange coral (Astroides
calycularis) or species that create habitats, such as sponges (Hemimycale columella, Aplysina aerophoba,
etc.) and large bryozoans (Pentapora fascialis).
This community can also be found on the Macaronesian area, but occupying deeper bottom areas, between -
35 m and -70/-80 m. In this case the associated species are different. It is usually associated to another “coral
garden” where antiphataria species predominates, especially the Antipathella wollastoni.
DEPTH: 15-40 m
TYPE OF SUBSTRATE: Rocky bottom, made up of slabs in many cases, with high sedimentation, between
the infralittoral and circalittoral areas. In the Canary Islands waters, corals are also found on rocky bottoms, but
with low sedimentation, and only in the circalittoral area.
Dendrophyllia ramea forests on infralittoral and circalittoral rocky bottoms (Gulf of Cádiz, Spain)
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