Marine Institute
SeaRover Dive Video

D461 Transect 14 Xenophyophores, rich mixed corals on escarpment, healthy diverse Solenosmilia reef. Features of Interest: canyon, escarpments Water Depth: 1800-1427 m

Highlights: Solenosmilia reef Sea fan & Solenosmilia Hexactinellid sponge Polymastiid sponge on Solenosmilia Close-up of sea fan

The substrate of the canyon floor (1800 m) is soft sediment with pebbles. Xenophyophores are common here with the occasional sea pen. Towards the side of the canyon the sediment is rippled, sand waves occur at the foot of the canyon wall. A terraced wall begins at 1750 m and contains dense areas of Solenosmilia variabilis; midway up this terrace very large bamboo corals occur. Several species of sea pens are noted throughout the sediment, pebbles and rocks of the terraces. The black coral cf. Parantipathes sp. is frequent on the cliffs and terraces. Brisingids and anemones are present among the stone coral Madrepora oculata; brisingids also occur in clusters on rocks. On a 500 m hard incline, sponges are frequent as are the black coral Stichopathes sp., anemones and the occasional stalked crinoid. Common fish species included grenadier and oreos. Coral species, including the stony corals M. oculata and S. variabilis and black corals are abundant.

© Marine Institute, MERC Consultants, Bernard Picton 2022