The pennatulid Kophobelemnon stelliferum (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) in the Porcupine Seabight (North-east Atlantic Ocean)
Rice, A.L.; Tyler, P.A.; Paterson, G.L.J. (1992). The pennatulid Kophobelemnon stelliferum (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) in the Porcupine Seabight (North-east Atlantic Ocean). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 72(2): 417-434. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400037796 In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more |  |
| Keywords | Abundance
Distribution > Geographical distribution > Vertical distribution
Environments > Aquatic environment > Benthic environment > Bathyal-benthic zone
Population characteristics > Biomass
Cnidaria [WoRMS]; Kophobelemnon stelliferum (Müller, 1776) [WoRMS]; Octocorallia [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top | - Rice, A.L.
- Tyler, P.A., more
- Paterson, G.L.J., more
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| Abstract | The upper bathyal sea-pen Kophobelemnon stelliferum extends to depths of approximately equals 1600 m in the Porcupine Seabight, to the south-west of Ireland, but is rare below approximately equals 1150 m. Photographic data suggest that the species attains numerical abundances > 2 m-2 and a wet weight biomass of at least 4 g m-2. The highest densities, however, do not necessarily correspond to the highest biomass values since there is a clear depth-related change in population structure. The largest sea-pens are restricted to the deeper parts of the bathymetric range of the species. There is also a marked change in the growth form at a total colony length of approximately equals 250 mm, with larger colonies having relatively more polyps than smaller ones. The maximum oocyte diameter is approximately equals 800 mu m, but there is no evidence of seasonal reproduction by this pennatulid in the Porcupine Seabight. |
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