Norfolk Ridge is a chain of submarine mountains between New Caledonia and New Zealand (SW Pacific). It is characterized by very rich (high biomass) and highly diversified fauna dominated by such suspension feeders like sponges, stylasterid and gorgonian corals, brachiopods. This fauna consists of many “living fossils” among sponges, crinoids, mollusks, crustaceans and others, as well as apparently numerous endemic forms and it resembles fossil (especially Mesozoic) fauna. Its richness may be explained by enhanced current activity above mountains tops and widespread presence of hard bottom, while there is no good explanation for occurrence of numerous “living fossils” This fauna should be considered in environmental interpretations of fossil especially Mesozoic and Tertiary faunas.
N.B.: il seminario si terrà in aula 1F.