C. Taxonomic characterization of the sessile-benthic communities
e
B
are perhaps the le
iological component of deep reef
communities in Puerto Rico and
hey were not reported from any of the early
exploratory
pling expedition
quent fishery related
surveys, including the ob
ti
nson Se -link submersible of the
Puertorrican insular slope. A revised checklist of benthic marine algae known to Puerto
Rico is available in Ballantine and Aponte (1997), but reference to the collection d
for each species is lacking. Most of the information regarding the taxonomic
composition of benthic algae at d
was pr
d
Aponte (2003, 2005) for Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Collections were obtained by
the submersible DSV Nekton-Gamma of NOAA’s National Underwater Research
Program (NUR
using SCU . A total o
ic algal species were
reported b
nte (2003)
he deep re
which had b
rted for Pu
Rico (Bal
(Table 11).
The encrusting fan leaf alga, Lobophora variegata was a major component of the
h
ep reef system at Isla Desecheo down to depths of at least 70 meters
(García et al., this volume). It was found growing in patches over hard ground and
accounted f
cent of substrate cover in the reef at depths between 30 –
50 meters (García et al., this volume). This alga was als
d to be highly
abundant
abitats at Bajo de Sico (Mona Passage) and La
Parguera (SW Puerto Rico) at depths between 30 – 50 meters.
Crustose
ave played
ndamental role in the formation of Agelas
Ree
nge: 50-70
and other
tly discovered deep reefs
at depths
ajo de Sico. Crustose algae produce oval nodules, or
rhodolith
form exten
deposits
Alth
nattached, they serve as the primary substrate for
a
s, sponges and algae wh
associated with deep reef habitats in Puerto Rico and the USVI
1. Benthic Alga
enthic algae
ast known b
the USVI. T
sam
s, nor from any of the subse
ons from the Joh
serva
a
epths
epths below 30 meters
oduced by Ballantine an
P) and by divers
BA
f 102 benth
y Ballantine and Apo
for t
ef at Lee Stocking Island, 73 of
een previously repo
erto
lantine and Aponte, 1997)
ermatypic de
or a substantial per
o observe
on hard ground reef h
red algae appear to h
a fu
f at Isla Desecheo (depth ra
m)
recen
below 40 meters in B
s of variable sizes that
sive
over sloping deep terraces.
ough these rhodoliths are u
ttachment of hermatypic coral
ich consolidate the structure and
49
e
B
are perhaps the le
iological component of deep reef
communities in Puerto Rico and
hey were not reported from any of the early
exploratory
pling expedition
quent fishery related
surveys, including the ob
ti
nson Se -link submersible of the
Puertorrican insular slope. A revised checklist of benthic marine algae known to Puerto
Rico is available in Ballantine and Aponte (1997), but reference to the collection d
for each species is lacking. Most of the information regarding the taxonomic
composition of benthic algae at d
was pr
d
Aponte (2003, 2005) for Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Collections were obtained by
the submersible DSV Nekton-Gamma of NOAA’s National Underwater Research
Program (NUR
using SCU . A total o
ic algal species were
reported b
nte (2003)
he deep re
which had b
rted for Pu
Rico (Bal
(Table 11).
The encrusting fan leaf alga, Lobophora variegata was a major component of the
h
ep reef system at Isla Desecheo down to depths of at least 70 meters
(García et al., this volume). It was found growing in patches over hard ground and
accounted f
cent of substrate cover in the reef at depths between 30 –
50 meters (García et al., this volume). This alga was als
d to be highly
abundant
abitats at Bajo de Sico (Mona Passage) and La
Parguera (SW Puerto Rico) at depths between 30 – 50 meters.
Crustose
ave played
ndamental role in the formation of Agelas
Ree
nge: 50-70
and other
tly discovered deep reefs
at depths
ajo de Sico. Crustose algae produce oval nodules, or
rhodolith
form exten
deposits
Alth
nattached, they serve as the primary substrate for
a
s, sponges and algae wh
associated with deep reef habitats in Puerto Rico and the USVI
1. Benthic Alga
enthic algae
ast known b
the USVI. T
sam
s, nor from any of the subse
ons from the Joh
serva
a
epths
epths below 30 meters
oduced by Ballantine an
P) and by divers
BA
f 102 benth
y Ballantine and Apo
for t
ef at Lee Stocking Island, 73 of
een previously repo
erto
lantine and Aponte, 1997)
ermatypic de
or a substantial per
o observe
on hard ground reef h
red algae appear to h
a fu
f at Isla Desecheo (depth ra
m)
recen
below 40 meters in B
s of variable sizes that
sive
over sloping deep terraces.
ough these rhodoliths are u
ttachment of hermatypic coral
ich consolidate the structure and
49