Cold-water coral reefs - WWF UK

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Cold-water coral reefs B C A D E F G H I J K L M N O P Figure 7: The Sula Reef. (A) Shaded multibeam map of the Sula Reef. The dark spots mark individual reefs superimposed on lineations created by grounding icebergs some thousands of years ago. (B) A gallery of Lophelia on the reef top. (C) Zooplankton is a major food source for the corals. (D) Anthothela grandiflora (octocoral). (E) Acesta excavata, the largest clam in the reef. (F) Escaping Chlamys sulcata with Protanthea simplex (Actinaria). (G) Escaping octopus. (H) Assemblage of Munida sarsi between coral rubble and yellow sponges (Plakortis simplex). (I) Starfish grazing upon a rotten Geodia sponge. (J) A resting feather star (Antedon bifida) on L. pertusa. (K) The tusk (Brosme brosme) on the reef top. (L) Redfish (Sebastes marinus) hiding between the corals. (M) A pollock (Pollachius virens) hunting for food. (N) Wolf fish (Anarhichas lupus). (O) Rabbit fish (Chimaera monstrosa) near the reef base. (P) Ray fish egg cases deposited within the reef corals Map A: from Fosså et al., 2000; photos B-P: the JAGO-Team 23
Cold-water coral reefs Figure 8: Schematic sketch of the major habitats of a Lophelia reef (not to scale) Photos: the JAGO-Team Living coral Densest accumulations of live Lophelia found on summit and upper slopes Consists of two reef-building species, L. pertusa and to a much lesser degree Madrepora oculata; the reef-associated fauna is quite diverse There are few permanently attached organisms, as living coral seem to be very successful in preventing fouling. Amongst the few are: ❏ the carnivorous worm Eunice norvegica that lives in symbiosis with the coral (Figure 9A-B); while the worm protects the coral polyps against predators, it stimulates the coral to build a calcareous shelter around the worm’s parchment tube (Mortensen, 2001); ❏ the parasitic foraminifer Hyrrokkin sarcophaga commonly found attached to the skeletons of living coral polyps (Cedhagen, 1994; Freiwald and Schönfeld, 1996; Figure 9C); ❏ clusters of bivalves (Delectopecten vitreus, Acesta excavata), attached by organic threads to the coral skeleton, can be common; ❏ mobile organisms such as sea urchins, brittle stars, gastropods, crustaceans and fishes are most often observed. Dead coral framework Prevails down slope and under living corals Highest species richness on the reefs Hundreds if not thousands of species of many size classes and taxonomic groups live in this habitat. Amongst the megafauna gorgonian corals, actinians and sponges are conspicuous and abundant. On a smaller scale, hydrozoans, bivalves, brachiopods, bryozoans and barnacles are prevalent. Several decapod species, large gastropods, sea urchins, brittle stars, starfishes and countless worms crawl between the coral framework or rework the fine sediment. Coral rubble Forms aprons around the base and outer circumferences of the reef Most degraded state of a coldwater reef The coral rubble subhabitat is occupied by encrusting sponges. In areas rich in finer sediments, echiurid worms are common. Mortensen et al. (1995) found that the squat lobster Munida sarsi was ten times more common in the coral rubble than in the surrounding soft bottom. 24
Page 1 and 2: Cold-water coral reefs Out of sight
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