Corals are key ecosystem engineers that build habitats that provide shelter, feeding and nursery grounds for other organisms, increasing habitat diversity. They are threatened by several factors such as global warming, pollution, and ocean acidification, but the main cause of habitat destruction in temperate corals is fisheries due to bycatch. It causes fragmentation, damage, and removal of colonies. In this study, the two objectives were: to determine whether total branch length or maximum height is a better descriptor of biomass and to analyse and compare the branching patterns of the two studied species (Eunicella verrucosa and Paramuricea grayi) across depth. The total branch length of each colony was measured and its relationship compared with weight and maximum height. In addition, the branching patterns of the two species were compared. Total branch length seems to be a better descriptor of biomass than maximum height, which could be used to define a better size-related parameter for the regulation of bycatch and eventually for age determination. There are no significant differences in branching pattern between the two species. This could be due to a convergence in branching shape because of environmental pressure. There are some significant differences in branching patterns along depth, probably caused by environmental factors as well.
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