Characterization and interrelationships of deepwater coral/sponge habitats and fish communities off Florida

Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 52 Methods .......................................................................................................................................... 52

Site description: Pourtalès Terrace ......................................................................................... 52 ROV survey protocol ............................................................................................................... 52 Fish surveys ...............................................................................................................................53 Benthic macrobiota characterization .....................................................................................54 Benthic habitat characterization .............................................................................................54 Statistical analyses ....................................................................................................................60

Results ............................................................................................................................................. 62 Habitat characterization .......................................................................................................... 62