a
c
n
tail in the Seward Johnson-Sea Link II survey. However,
reference is made of a typical deep reef finfish and invertebrate fauna associated with
th
h
Data on the benthic habitat characteristics of the insular slope of Puerto Rico, including
San Juan, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Vieques, and St. Thom
USVI) w
from
dred
mpli
k expedition in 1989 (B ers, 190
and mud
was
ted a
ttom type below 30 fathoms (54 meters), except at
station 6079, l
ly 5.5 miles off from Pta. Algarrobo, Mayaguez, where
a predominantly “coral” bottom was reported at depths b
en 97
s (176 -
218
ora
as the main bottom type off St. Thomas (Sta. 6079,
6080
Vie
89) at depths between 20 -23 fathoms (Table 10).
From the Johnson–Smithsonian Expedition to the Puertorrican Deep (Bartsch, 1933)
insular slope areas where corals and/or associated “reef
nthic co
urred
were
rted
y, off Pta. Salinas (San Ju
off Fajardo in the north coast, off Mona (Pta. Caigo no Caigo) and Desecheo Islands in
the west coas
bra and Culebrita Islands, an
est off
an Dyke in the
east coast (Ta
band of mostly barren and unproductive rubble zone with few attached sponges and
orals (Nelson and Appledoorn, 1985). Benthic habitats of the upper insular slope were
ot described in much de
e “reef top” abitat.
as (
ere contributed
ge sa
ngs of the Fish Haw
ow
0). Sand
repor
s the prevailing bo
ocated approximate
etwe
– 120 fathom
m). C l was also reported
) and
ques (Sta. 6088, 60
” be
mmunities occ
repo
off San Juan Ba
an), off Pta. Cerro Gordo and
t, and off Cule
d w
Just V
ble 2).
47