New discoveries about the biology, ecology and physiology of cold-water corals are occurring at an increasing rate. Here J. Murray Roberts, Andrew Wheeler and André Freiwald review the advances over the last five to ten years.
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Roberts J.M., Wheeler A.J. & Freiwald A. (2006). "Reefs of the Deep: The Biology and Geology of Cold-Water Coral Ecosystems." Science, 213: 543-547 AbstractFull Text
The biology, distribution and conservation status of cold-water corals are discussed in detail in a recent United Nations Environment Programme report "Cold-water Coral Reefs: Out of Sight - No Longer Out of Mind".
For a recent summary of research into cold-water corals see the new book edited by André Freiwald and J Murray Roberts 'Cold-water Corals and Ecoystems'.
The biology of Lophelia pertusa and other cold-water corals was also reviewed by A.D. Rogers in 1999 and forms an excellent place to start for in-depth data on many aspects of cold-water coral biology.
Rogers, A. D. (1999). "The biology of Lophelia pertusa (LINNAEUS 1758) and other deep- water reef-forming corals and impacts from human activities." International Review Of Hydrobiology 84(4): 315-406.