C-3 



to occur in the study area and is found at depths ranging from 

 80 to 2460 meters (Cairns, 1979). In the historical survey 

 it was found from Heezen Canyon to Norfolk Canyon between the 

 depths of 1050 and 1900 meters. D. avistigalli was usually 

 found only in the axis of canyons, where suitable hard substrate 

 occurred. In the field study this species was found in Lydonia 

 and Oceanographer Canyons between the depths of 650 and 1600 

 meters. Specimens were also recovered in dredges from both of 

 these canyons. 



Lophelia prolifeva 

 This species is a massive colonial coral that frequently 

 is a main constituent of deep-water coral banks (Stetson, Squires, 

 and Pratt, 1962). Its color is pale-pink and it forms large 

 dendroid colonies by intratentacular budding. Growth rates for 

 this coral are approximately 6 mm/yr (Wilson, 1979) . Off the 

 eastern coast of the United States it is known to occur from 

 Nova Scotia to Florida between the depths of 95 to 1000 meters 

 (Cairns, 1979). In the historical survey rubble composed of 

 broken dead colonies of L. prolifera was found between 700 and 

 1000 meters on the west wall of Oceanographer Canyon. This rubble 

 provided suitable attachment sites for many other organisms. In 

 the field survey Lophelia rubble was recovered from dredges taken 

 on the walls and in the axis of Oceanographer Canyon. 



