Authors
Claudia Wienberg, Dierk Hebbeln, Hiske G Fink, Furu Mienis, Boris Dorschel, Agostina Vertino, Matthias López Correa, Andre Freiwald
Publication date
2009/10/1
Journal
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers
Volume
56
Issue
10
Pages
1873-1893
Publisher
Pergamon
Description
This paper presents the first compilation of information on the spatial distribution of scleractinian cold-water corals in the Gulf of Cádiz based on literature research and own observations (video footage, sediment samples). Scleractinian cold-water corals are widely distributed along the Spanish and Moroccan margins in the Gulf of Cádiz, where they are mainly associated with mud volcanoes, diapiric ridges, steep fault escarpments, and coral mounds. Dendrophyllia cornigera, Dendrophyllia alternata, Eguchipsammia cornucopia, Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa are the most abundant reef-forming species. Today, they are almost solely present as isolated patches of fossil coral and coral rubble. The absence of living scleractinian corals is likely related to a reduced food supply caused by low productivity and diminished tidal effects. In contrast, during the past 48kyr scleractinian corals were abundant in the …
Total citations
200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202438148149716106121059153
Scholar articles
C Wienberg, D Hebbeln, HG Fink, F Mienis, B Dorschel… - Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research …, 2009