50. 



found on large boulders or outcrops. The other corals found 

 in Oceanographer Canyon that are restricted to hard substrates 

 are: Anthomastus agassizii in the axis and on both walls; 

 Tvaohythela vudis on the west wall; large colonies of 

 Faragovgia arbovea in the axis above 1000 meters; numerous 

 individuals of the small encrusting soft coral Anthothela 

 gvandiflova along the axis; and the solitary coral Desmophyllum 

 oristagalli throughout the axis and on the west flank. Corals 

 restricted to soft substrates include: Anthomastus grandif torus 

 on the east flank; Aoanella arhueaula on both walls; Pennatula 

 aouleata in the deeper axis; a small sea pen Disti-ohoptilum 

 graaili on the lower east wall and in the axis; and a small 

 non-descript sea pen on the deeper west flank. 



Aside from the fact that fewer corals are found in 

 Baltimore Canyon, there are also some other distinct differ- 

 ences between the coral populations in the three canyons. 

 The dominant coral in Baltimore Canyon is a fluffy white sea 

 pen that is restricted to soft substrates. Of the three 

 corals most common in the two northern canyons Eunephthya 

 floridaj Acanthogorgia armata and Paramurioea grandis 

 (Fig. 25a, b and c) , only E, florida and A, armata are found 

 in Baltimore Canyon. They both occur in that canyon, but 

 are found in very reduced numbers. All three of these corals 

 require hard substrate for attachment, thus their absence or 

 reduced abundances in Baltimore Canyon reflect the lesser 



