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This biotope represents the extensive, mostly dead, framework of Lophelia pertusa that support a high diversity of species including various other corals such as Caryophylliidae, Stichopathes gravieri, Antipathella, Acanthogorgia armarta and Leiopathes. Other conspicuous taxa include anemone Phelliactis and encrusting sponges. This may be found associated with Lophelia pertusa reef summit or may form beneath escarpments where live colonies of Lophelia pertusa grow but subsequently break off and form a rubble framework. The same assemblage is found in the mid bathyal but associated species are likely to vary. Characterising species listed refer to all mixed coral on Lophelia reef framework assemblages not just those found associated with the zone and substrate specified in this biotope.
Note: Although Lophelia pertusa (Linnaeus, 1758) is accepted as Desmophyllum pertusum (Linnaeus, 1758) in WoRMS, the molecular evidence is uncertain at present (2021) to grant a change in its taxonomic nomenclature. This will be revised once further evidence becomes available.