B- 13 



calcyces is eight- lobed and the sides have rib-like striations. 

 The polyps are usually not completely retractile and the exposed 

 anthocodia reveal 8-10 transverse rows of warted fusiform spicules 

 which form a collaret around the polyps and above which there are 

 numerous tentacular spicules arranged in eight double-rows. With 

 the tentacles contracted the spicules form an eight-rayed opercu- 

 lum on the top of each calyx. Spicules are also very abundant 

 in the calyces and coenenchyme, thus giving the colony a very 

 firm and coarse texture. The spicules are quite irregular in 

 shape, but usually occur in the form of straight or bent, roughly 

 warted rods, spindles or clubs. Living colonies are a light 

 pink or salmon color. The species occurs at depths of 75 to 255 fm 

 from Newfoundland south to Florida. It is also known from off the 

 coasts of Europe. 



This species was found in all three canyons included in the 

 field study between the depths of 450 to 1149 m. 



Aoanthogorg-ta armata (Verrill) 



Aoanthogorgia armatUj Verrill, 1878b:376; 1883:31 

 Aaanthogorgia verrilli , Studer, 1901:44 

 Aaanthogorgia aTmata, Deichmann, 1936:149 



Colonies of these species can grow to a height of 50 cm, but 

 most specimens are only 10-20 cm tall. The latter are generally 

 sparsely branched - largely in one plane - with thin flexible 

 upward curving branches. Larger colonies are more bushy. The 

 polyps are very distinctive; they form quite long (8 mm) cylin- 

 drical calyces which stand out stiffly and perpendicularly from 



