Characteristics of the Mesophotic Megabenthic Assemblages of the Vercelli Seamount (North Tyrrhenian Sea)
Figure 3
Aspects of the benthic assemblages of the Vercelli Seamount's peak.
TOP region (a–c): a) the kelp Laminaria rodriguezii lying on the summit pinnacle. b) Antedon mediterranea on L. rodriguezii c) Encrusting sponges, bryozoans and coralline algae covering the rocky surface. SW region (d–f): d) Colonies of E. cavolinii partially covered by the soft coral Alcyonium coralloides. e) Large specimens of P. clavata together with Eunicella cavolinii. f) Several Axinella spp. sponges on a sparsely colonised surface. NE region (g–i): g) Group of Paralcyonium spinulosum colonies. h) Colony of the ascidian Diazona violacea. i) Small sparse colonies of E. cavolinii together with numerous T. citrina sponges and an Echinus melo urchin. Scale bar: 10 cm.