Rov and submersible surveys on faunal assemblages in a deep-sea canyon (rech Lacaze-duthiers, Western Mediterranean sea)

• Main Authors: Fiala-Medioni, A., Madurell, Teresa, Minibex Team, Medseacan Team
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Masson 2012
• Subjects: Duthiers; Lacaze-Duthiers; Lophelia pertusa
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/91844

Fiala-Medioni, A. . et. al.-- 18 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables 52 years after the first explorations in the Lacaze-Duthiers Canyon and the observation of living populations of cold-water corals, recent video surveys using deployments of the ROV "Super-Achille" and the submersible "REMORA" (COMEX), have allowed the discovery of new sites colonized by cold-water coral populations (Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora oculata, Dendrophyllia cornígera and Desmophyllum dianthus). Dense populations were observed, from 250 to 535 m, either on blocks or cliffs. The coral community consisted of a rich fauna of invertebrates including numerous sponges, brachiopods, echinoderms, oysters, ascidians and bryozoans as well as vagile cephalopods and fishes. Among the 51 identified species, 4 species are protected by the French regulation (corals), 13 species are cited in European directives 79/109/EEC (Art 4) and 92/43/EEC (Annex 2), 2 species are cited in the OSPAR convention and 15 are of commercial interest. Direct observations allowed also establishing an increase of anthropogenic wastes mainly related to fishing Peer Reviewed