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Coral habitat fauna of northwest Africa: A photographic guide to taxa identification

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 232 p.

Author Buhl-Mortensen, L.; Houssa, R.; Mohamed Moctar, S.M.; Kide, S.O.; Loulidi, A.; El Vally, Y.; El Vadhel, H.; Zidane, H.; Baali, A.; Cheikhna, G.; Diop, A.K.; Bousta, M.; Joundoul, S.; Johansen, Y.K.; Mostarda, E.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-139649-0

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4512en

Synopsis (short abstract) This photographic guide provides an overview of the fauna observed in the shallow (less than 200 m depth) and deep water (more than 200 m depth) coral habitats off the coasts of Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. While not exhaustive, it includes a total of 167 taxa representing key groups such as hard corals, sea anemones, hydrozoans, bryozoans, sponges, polychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, ascidians, and both bony and cartilaginous fishes. The images featured are snapshots taken from video observations collected during the 2020 and 2021 habitat mapping surveys aboard the research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. These surveys aimed to map the distribution and condition of bottom habitats, providing a baseline for evaluating current and future impacts on benthic ecosystems. This region, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, supports a wide variety of species and habitats that play a vital role in maintaining the health of oceanic environments. This guide serves as a valuable resource for scientists conducting further explorations in the region, offering a foundational tool for taxonomic identification. By highlighting the ecological importance of these ecosystems, the guide aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the region’s unique marine life and to promote the conservation of these critical habitats.

Last updated 26/03/2025

Cite this content as:

Buhl-Mortensen, L., Houssa, R., Mohamed Moctar, S.M., Kide, S.O., Loulidi, A., El Vally, Y., El Vadhel, H., Zidane, H., Baali, A., Cheikhna, G., Diop, A.K., Bousta, M., Joundoul, S., Johansen, Y.K., Mostarda, E. 2025. Coral habitat fauna of northwest Africa: A photographic guide to taxa identification. FAO, Rome.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4512en

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