During exploration of the narrow Western shelf in the Gulf of Aqaba by means of the research submersible 'GEO’, bioherms formed by the stony coral Madracis interjecta were discovered between 120 m and at least 200 m depth. The growth of the bioherms is supposed to be linked to the particularly warm-temperature regime of the Gulf of Aqaba, whereas distribution depends probably on current patterns (providing nutrients), submarine topography and availability of hard substrate. The absence of symbiotic algae below the euphoric zone does not hamper the building of bioherms by stony corals. The Madracis-bioherms are true reefs in the definition of the term by the Earth Science in as much as the bioherms are surrounded by selected detritic facies types similar to ordinary, sheltered patch reefs in the photic zones.

Depth range
120- 200 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 2893 words)

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

Fields
Ecology
Community structure
Biodiversity
Geomorphology

Focusgroups
Scleractinia (Hard Corals)

Locations
Israel - Red Sea

Platforms
Manned Submersible