Lophelia pertusa, the bright white coral seen in the midst of a field of anemones and sponges, was one of the primary species of deep-water corals that we were interested in studying. It can occur as an individual colony, like this one, or in vast ‘thickets’ of many colonies clustered closely together. We are still in the process of learning what type of habitat is needed to support the growth of these corals. Image courtesy of University of Alabama and NOAA OE.
Related Links
Gulf of Mexico Deep Sea Habitats 2003
