Bathymetric distribution and growth rates of Eunicella verrucosa (Cnidaria: Gorgoniidae) populationsalong the Marseilles coast (France)

Abstract

Gorgonians are important organisms in the Mediterranean Sea, where they form rocky benthic communities. Four main species (3 Holaxonia and 1 Scleraxonia) are predominant in infra- and circalittoral communities of the northwestern Mediterranean basin. Other species, such as Eunicella verrucosa (Pallas, 1766), are more rarely encountered. The expansion to unusually shallow bathymetric levels has been noted in the region of Marseilles (France) (between 20 and 40 m depth). A ten-year monitoring of colonies was used to assess the growth rate according to age (size): from 3.33 cm year–1 (height 40 cm).

Keywords

• eunicella verrucosa
• mediterranean sea
• growth rate
• population structure