Sea whip coral Leptogorgia virgulata in the Mid-Atlantic Bight: Colony complexity, age, and growth.

ABSTRACT: Sea whip coral Leptogorgia virgulata are a common structural component of both natural and artificial hard-bottom reef habitats in the mid-Atlantic region and may serve as essential habitat for commercially valuable species. However, they are slow-growing, easily damaged, and especially vulnerable to damage by passive fishing gear such as pots and traps. Despite their potential importance, until recently, sea whips have been generally understudied in this region. We examined the colony complexity, length, age, and growth of sea whips from four artificial reef sites in the mid-Atlantic region to gain a better understanding of their biology in the area. There were no significant differences in the bifurcation (R_b) and tributary to source (T/S) ratios between sites, with the

SUBMITTER: Wenker RP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7006520 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature