37 



Table showing the geographic and bathymetric distribution 

 of the Gorgonellidae collected by the Siboga Expedition. 



This table shows clearly that the Gorgonellidse are essentially shallow water forms, all 

 but one of the twenty one species in the Siboga collection having been secured from waters 

 less than 100 meters in depth. While six species in the above list are known to be from 

 more than 100 meters, but three of these Scirpearella gracilis, Gorgonella orientalis and Isidoides 

 artnata, were taken from over 200 meters by the Siboga Expedition. The records show that 

 about So hauls of the dredge or tawl were taken in over 200 meters, and these should have 

 yielded more than three species of Gorgonellidae, if that family is at all common at such depths. 



The deepest water from which a gorgonellid was taken was at Station 208 where 

 Scirpearella gracilis was dredged. This species also has a very remarkable bathymetric range, 

 being found from 34 to 1886 meters. Isidoides armata was taken from a depth of 984 meters. 



The geographical distribution indicated by the table is, as would be expected from the 

 bathvmetric table, much more restricted than would have been the case with more characteristic 



* 



deep water forms. All of the species represented by the Siboga collection are restricted to the 

 Indo-Pacific region. A few species of the family Gorgonellidae are, however, found outside of 

 this region, at least five species Verrucella gnadalupensis, V.ramosa, V. granulif era, Juncella 

 extans and J. hystrix having been reported from the Atlantic. 



It remains true, however, that the apparent centre of distribution for this family is in 

 the Oriental region and that its occurence elsewhere is exeptional. 



