A <scp><i>facies</i></scp> of <scp><i>Kophobelemnon</i></scp> (<scp>C</scp>nidaria, <scp>O</scp>ctocorallia) from <scp>S</scp>anta <scp>M</scp>aria di <scp>L</scp>euca coral province (<scp>M</scp>editerranean Sea)

Abstract

Abstract During a research cruise carried out in April 2010, aimed at updating the knowledge on the biodiversity of the S anta M aria di L euca ( SML ) cold‐water coral province ( M editerranean Sea), a facies of the sea pen Kophobelemnon stelliferum ( M uller, 1776) was found on mud‐dominated bottoms. This finding represents a new species and a new habitat record from the SML coral province as well as a new bathyal facies in the whole C entral M editerranean S ea. The colonies were collected using an epi‐benthic sledge, at depths between 400 and 470 m. A significant positive relationship between polyp number and colony length was detected. Density of the colonies ranged from 0.003 to 0.038 N·m −2 . Differences and affinities between M editerranean and A tlantic occurrences of K. stelliferum are discussed.