OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF STONY CORALS (ANTHOZOA AND HYDROZOA) IN THE VICINITY OF SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA)

Abstract

During a survey in January-February 1971 in the area of Santa Marta, Colombia, 33 species of Scleractinia were found. The distributions and relative abundances of species were recorded along transects. Subsequently all transects were sampled from the depth limit of coral (deepest occurrence 30 m), into the subtidal zone. The lack of prominent reef structures is believed to be a consequence< vf cold upwelling.