Shelf-edge bioclastic bottoms were studied in detail on the Alboran platform
(Fig. 9.19) and on Seco de los Olivos (also known as Chella Bank) through the
recent LIFE + project INDEMARES, and they probably represent the best known of
their kind in the Alboran Sea, in terms of benthic composition and structure (de la
Torriente et al. 2014; Gofas et al. 2014a). In general, the associated fauna is very
diverse and includes the large benthic foraminifera Miniacina miniacea on bioclasts
(especially in the outer shelf at depths of more than 100 m); the rare sponges Axinella
spatula, A. salicina, A. alborana and Rhizaxinella elongata (Sitjà and Maldonado
Fig. 9.19 (a) Bioclastic sands and gravels, here photographed on the platform surrounding Alboran
Island, are mainly formed by skeletal remains of benthic organisms (in this case valves of
Glycymeris sp.). This kind of coarse sedimentary bottoms harbour a very diverse fauna. (b) Here
illustrated the unattached gorgonian Eunicella filiformis, (c) the starfish Chaetaster longipes, (d) the
decapod Munida speciosa and (e) hermit crabs Pagurus prideaux with their commensal sea
anemone Adamsia palliata [LIFE+ INDEMARES Alboran]
9 Benthic Fauna of Littoral and Deep-Sea Habitats of the Alboran Sea: A. . .
329
(Fig. 9.19) and on Seco de los Olivos (also known as Chella Bank) through the
recent LIFE + project INDEMARES, and they probably represent the best known of
their kind in the Alboran Sea, in terms of benthic composition and structure (de la
Torriente et al. 2014; Gofas et al. 2014a). In general, the associated fauna is very
diverse and includes the large benthic foraminifera Miniacina miniacea on bioclasts
(especially in the outer shelf at depths of more than 100 m); the rare sponges Axinella
spatula, A. salicina, A. alborana and Rhizaxinella elongata (Sitjà and Maldonado
Fig. 9.19 (a) Bioclastic sands and gravels, here photographed on the platform surrounding Alboran
Island, are mainly formed by skeletal remains of benthic organisms (in this case valves of
Glycymeris sp.). This kind of coarse sedimentary bottoms harbour a very diverse fauna. (b) Here
illustrated the unattached gorgonian Eunicella filiformis, (c) the starfish Chaetaster longipes, (d) the
decapod Munida speciosa and (e) hermit crabs Pagurus prideaux with their commensal sea
anemone Adamsia palliata [LIFE+ INDEMARES Alboran]
9 Benthic Fauna of Littoral and Deep-Sea Habitats of the Alboran Sea: A. . .
329