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The distribution of scleractinian corals in the Bay of Biscay, NE Atlantic
Reveillaud, J.; Freiwald, A.; Van Rooij, D.; Le Guilloux, E.; Altuna, A.; Foubert, A.; Vanreusel, A.; Olu-Le Roy, K.; Henriet, J.-P. (2008). The distribution of scleractinian corals in the Bay of Biscay, NE Atlantic. Facies 54(3): 317-331. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10347-008-0138-4
In: Facies. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0172-9179; e-ISSN 1612-4820
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 136151 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
Author keywords
    Cold-water corals; Scleractinia; Slope; Bay of Biscay; Biodiversity
Authors  Top 
  • Reveillaud, J.
  • Freiwald, A.
  • Van Rooij, D.
  • Le Guilloux, E.
  • Altuna, A.
  • Foubert, A.
  • Vanreusel, A.
  • Olu-Le Roy, K.
  • Henriet, J.-P.
Abstract
    Studies on the distribution of scleractinian corals in the Bay of Biscay were relatively numerous during the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century. Yet, recent reports are scattered, sometimes unpublished, and therefore knowledge about the current coral occurrence in the area is limited. This study aims at compiling the available historical and more recently collected information on the occurrence of scleractinian corals in the Bay of Biscay. Data from two recent cruises are included and compared with previous explored coral sites from as early as 1830 up to 1995. A database of 347 records including 34 described species of scleractinians highlights that the slope of the Bay of Biscay is an important habitat for scleractinians. This could be expected due to the high topographic relief providing the necessary hard substrate and accelerated bottom current flow that corals require. Further exploration of the occurrence and ecology of corals in the area is recommended to support the conservation of cold-water coral reefs along the European margin.
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