Macro-flora/fauna

Invertebrate animals and some plant materials were collected during the grab sampling programme. Different species of animals and plants have certain substrate preferences. Echinoids and some pectens were found on the bedrock surfaces (Figure 2). Pectens were also found in shallow water on sandy mud bottoms. Live sponges and sponge mat (disaggregated dead siliceous sponges) were found from 50 to 100 m and probably continue deeper in certain areas off shore (Ward 1984). Large (5 cm high) reddish algae was found only in the northern areas, as isolated specimens, the algae occurred in water less than 50 m deep, on bedrock or coarse sediment. Its distribution could be influenced by proximity to more open water and Ross Sea circulation patterns.