M. Mistri, ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON A POPULATION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN GORGONIAN PARAMURICEA-CLAVATA (RISSO, 1826), Bollettino di zoologia, 61(2), 1994, pp. 163-166
The gorgonian Paramuricea clavata grows below 29 m water depth in 2 st
ation located at the northern entrance of the Strait of Messina. Colon
ies are randomly spaced, and show an abrupt change in orientation belo
w 36 m depth. A turbulence zone caused by the current flowing downslop
e along the bottom is likely to be the main factor responsible for the
90-degrees change in orientation. The relationship between growth and
development of a fan was investigated in terms of change of fractal d
imension. The latter gradually evolves in complexity with age, suggest
ing that 2 high fractality could set a limit to the life span of the s
pecies.