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.
Latest news
Florida university to take over operations of Aquarius underwater habitatThe Florida International University will be taking over operations of the Aquar…
“Locally extinct” coral species Seriatopora hystrix found at upper mesophotic depths in OkinawaA new publication in the journal Coral Reefs documents mesophotic communities of…
New modelling study on the spatial extent of mesophotic habitat on the Great Barrier ReefTom Bridge and co-authors from James Cook University and the ARC Centre of Excel…
Mesophotic research on the Great Barrier Reef featured by CNNCNN has featured the mesophotic research done as part of the Catlin Seaview Surv…
Modeling Mesophotic Coral Distributions in the Au’au Channel, HawaiiNOAA has released a technical memorandum describing a modelling study to predict…
Latest publications
Quantifying Spatial Genetic Structuring in Mesophotic Populations of the Precious Coral Corallium rubrumF Costantini, L Carlesi and M Abbiati PLoS One (2013) 8:4, e61546 While shallow …
Efficient light harvesting in deep-water zooxanthellate coralsS E Kahng, E J Hochberg, A Apprill, D Wagner, D G Luck, D Perez and R R Bidigare…
Reproductive cycle and trophic ecology in deep versus shallow populations of the Mediterranean gorgonian Eunicella singularis (Cap de Creus, northwestern Mediterranean Sea)A Gori, N Viladrich, J M Gili, M Kotta, C Cucio, L Magni, L Bramanti and S Rossi…
Characterization of the zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate morphotypes of the Mediterranean gorgonian Eunicella singularisA Gori, L Bramanti, P López-González, J N Thoma, J M Gili, J Grinyó, V Uceira an…