Reefs--Florida--Palm Beach County

This paper presents data relative to the ecology and
bathymetric distribution of hermatypic gorgonians. The
reefs were analyzed with respect to faunal composition and
zonation. Ecological data such as turbidity, light penetration,
salinity, dissolved oxygen and temperature were
taken directly on the reefs. The main reef was carbondated
(C^14 ) to determine the length of time required for
development. Gorgonians were transplanted from 9 meters
to 18 and 30 meters to observe growth rates and spicule
changes. The relationships of zooxanthellae to the hermatypic
Gorgonacea were analyzed and discussed. Experiments
were conducted concerning respiration and photosynthetic
rates, minimum oxygen tolerance, compensation intensities
and depth, and starvation in the light as well as in the
dark. Tolerance limits were establIshed for various levels
of salinity, and temperature. Feeding behavior experiments
were recorded and the relationship of gorgonian populations
to the reef structure and community were discussed.