1. The coralligenous habitat was studied at the large Mediterranean scale, by applying a standardized, non-destructive photo-sampling protocol, developed in the framework of the CIGESMED project. 2. The results provided evidence to support the following statements: (a) the assemblage pattern is not homogeneously distributed across the four Mediterranean ecoregions studied (biotic gradients hypothesis); and (b) the assemblage pattern does not change significantly when the information is aggregated to higher taxonomic levels (taxonomic sufficiency hypothesis). 3. Surrogate taxonomic categories higher than species, such as genus and family, can be used to reveal the multivariate pattern of the coralligenous assemblages. 4. Although preliminary at the pan-Mediterranean scale, these outcomes set the scene for future comparisons as more data sets become available but also for comparisons between taxonomic and functional patterns.

Depth range
25- 38 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 7424 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range

Fields
Biodiversity
Community structure
Management and Conservation

Focusgroups
Algae (Macro, Turf and Crustose Coralline)
Other invertebrates
Overall benthic (groups)
Porifera (Sponges)

Locations
France - Mediterranean Sea
Greece
Turkey - Mediterranean Sea

Platforms
SCUBA (open-circuit or unspecified)