A total of 18 species of scleractinian corals, two hydrozoans (Millepora alcicornis and
Stylaster roseus) and the antipatharian black wire coral (Stichopathes lutkeni) were
identified from Agelas Reef. The combined mean substrate cover by the nine species of
scleractinian corals within video-transects was 13.1 % (range: 7.4 – 36.4 %) (Table 35).
Irregular sheets or laminar growth by lettuce corals (Agaricia spp.) prevailed at depths
between 45 and 53 meters (148 – 175’) with a combined substrate cover of 8.9 %
(range: 4.2 – 22.8 %), representing 70 % of the total cover by scleractinian cora
Lamark’s sheet coral (Agaricia lamarki) appeared to be the main species present, as
inferred by the presence of white star-like polyps and rounded ridges among the
irregular arrangement of valleys in the coral structure. Graham’s sheet coral (Agaricia
grahame) was also observed, without the whitish polyp markings and a mostly par
valley arrangement in the coral structure. The specific taxonomy of these co
ls.
allel
rals is
ifficult to determine by divers at depths below 50 meters (165’) due to the low light
tensity at the bottom, and the phenotypic similarity between them. In many instances,
e identification features that separate Agaricia species are not evident from videos
ither. Thus, the Agaricia spp. taxon (as reported in Table 35) is comprised by the
amarki-Grahame species complex. The wire coral (Stichopathes lutkeni) was common
t Agelas Reef, but other black coral (antipatharian) species were not observed. Also,
the rose lace hydrocoral (Stylaster roseus) was common in small crevices and other
riptic habitats of the reef.
cleractinian corals, antipatharians and hydrocorals were observed growing attached to
oulders of biogenic calcite origin at Agelas Reef. These appear to be red coralline algal
odules (rhodoliths) of variable dimensions. In fact, the entire reef appears to be
onstructed over these rhodolith structures, as previously described by Prager and
insburg (1989) for the Florida Keys outer shelf reefs, and by Jarret (2003) and Jarret et
l. (2005) for the southern Pulley Ridge (SW Florida) deep hermatypic reef system.
ensity of scleractinian coral colonies within video-transect areas averaged 6.88 col/ m
2
ange: 4.17 – 9.59 col/m
2
). The higher density of coral colonies at Agelas Reef, as
ompared to the SW Wall reef at depths between 30 – 40 meters, is related to the
the
thic
nt in
d
in
th
e
L
a
c
S
b
n
c
G
a
D
(r
c
typically smaller colony size exhibited by corals, and the higher homogeneity of
ben
complex was numerically domina
habitat at Agelas Reef. The Agaricia spp.
119
Stylaster roseus) and the antipatharian black wire coral (Stichopathes lutkeni) were
identified from Agelas Reef. The combined mean substrate cover by the nine species of
scleractinian corals within video-transects was 13.1 % (range: 7.4 – 36.4 %) (Table 35).
Irregular sheets or laminar growth by lettuce corals (Agaricia spp.) prevailed at depths
between 45 and 53 meters (148 – 175’) with a combined substrate cover of 8.9 %
(range: 4.2 – 22.8 %), representing 70 % of the total cover by scleractinian cora
Lamark’s sheet coral (Agaricia lamarki) appeared to be the main species present, as
inferred by the presence of white star-like polyps and rounded ridges among the
irregular arrangement of valleys in the coral structure. Graham’s sheet coral (Agaricia
grahame) was also observed, without the whitish polyp markings and a mostly par
valley arrangement in the coral structure. The specific taxonomy of these co
ls.
allel
rals is
ifficult to determine by divers at depths below 50 meters (165’) due to the low light
tensity at the bottom, and the phenotypic similarity between them. In many instances,
e identification features that separate Agaricia species are not evident from videos
ither. Thus, the Agaricia spp. taxon (as reported in Table 35) is comprised by the
amarki-Grahame species complex. The wire coral (Stichopathes lutkeni) was common
t Agelas Reef, but other black coral (antipatharian) species were not observed. Also,
the rose lace hydrocoral (Stylaster roseus) was common in small crevices and other
riptic habitats of the reef.
cleractinian corals, antipatharians and hydrocorals were observed growing attached to
oulders of biogenic calcite origin at Agelas Reef. These appear to be red coralline algal
odules (rhodoliths) of variable dimensions. In fact, the entire reef appears to be
onstructed over these rhodolith structures, as previously described by Prager and
insburg (1989) for the Florida Keys outer shelf reefs, and by Jarret (2003) and Jarret et
l. (2005) for the southern Pulley Ridge (SW Florida) deep hermatypic reef system.
ensity of scleractinian coral colonies within video-transect areas averaged 6.88 col/ m
2
ange: 4.17 – 9.59 col/m
2
). The higher density of coral colonies at Agelas Reef, as
ompared to the SW Wall reef at depths between 30 – 40 meters, is related to the
the
thic
nt in
d
in
th
e
L
a
c
S
b
n
c
G
a
D
(r
c
typically smaller colony size exhibited by corals, and the higher homogeneity of
ben
complex was numerically domina
habitat at Agelas Reef. The Agaricia spp.
119