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Mesophotic.org is an on-line resource database that serves as a repository for information on Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs). The term Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems refers to light-dependent coral communities (and associated communities of algal, sponge and fish species) that occur in the deepest half of the photic zone (starting at 30-40 m and extending to over 150 m) in tropical and subtropical regions. Previously, this depth range has also been referred to as the twilight zone.

MCEs have received very little attention compared to shallow sections of coral reefs due to logistical constraints. However, recent developments in scientific diving (rebreather technology, mixed gas diving: nitrox/trimix) and underwater robotics (ROV, AUV) have sparked a recent interest in these deep reef communities. The purpose of this database is to function as a central repository for this relatively new field of research and make the information available to researchers, managers, policy makers and the general public. read more...

LATEST NEWS

Start of 5-year Pulley Ridge project
RSMAS
Photo courtesy of RSMAS
Last month the kickoff meeting was held for all the Principal Investigators (PIs) working on the 5-year $5 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funded Pulley Ridge Project, under the direction of Lead PI, Dr. Robert Cowen of the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS). Located in the Gulf of Mexico, Pulley Ridge is a mesophotic (mid-light) coral ecosystem, home to important species in commercial and recreational fisheries. With Florida’s reef ecosystem in decline, places like Pulley Ridge may serve as sources of larvae that can help sustain the Florida Keys’ ecosystem and the tourism economy that is dependent on it.

Posted by Pim Bongaerts (22-Dec-2011)

MOST RECENTLY ADDED PHOTOS



22 photos by
Michael Lombardi
Added: 18-May-2011


70 photos by
Richard Pyle
Added: 13-Apr-2011


9 photos by
DF Pence
Added: 13-Apr-2011

LATEST PUBLICATIONS


 
Pereira-Filho GH, Amado-Filho GM, de Moura RL, Bastos AC, Guimarães SMPB, Salgado LT, Francini-Filho RB, Bahia RG, Abrantes DP, Guth AZ, Brasileiro PS

Sedimentology (2011) - in press   -  


 
Bongaerts P, Riginos C, Hay KB, van Oppen MJH, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Dove S

BMC Evolutionary Biology (2011) 11: 303-303   -  


 
Bridge TCL, Fabricius KE, Bongaerts P, Wallace CC, Muir PR, Done TJ, Webster JM

Coral Reefs (2011) - in press   -  


 
Slattery M, Lesser MP, Brazeau D, Stokes MD, Leichter JJ

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology (2011) - on-line first   -  


 
Wagner D, Papastamatiou Y.P., Kosaki RK, Gleason KA, McFall GB, Boland RC, Pyle RL, Toonen RJ

Pacific Science (2011) 65: 249-255   -  

 
     Latest update: 13-Jan-2012Latest visit: TodayViews: 35177About Us     
 
Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems is a collaborative effort between the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR / NOAA), Perry Institute of Marine Science (PIMS) and the Centre for Marine Studies (CMS / University of Queensland)