THE AMAZON REEF AND ITS SPECIES

Northern parts of the reef, where the river sediment is thickest, are home to sponges and carnivorous animals such as hydroids, small predators related to jellyfish.

Southern sections of the reef receive more light and therefore have more traditional coral-reef life such as starfish.

The team has located 61 species of sponges, 73 fish and 26 soft corals.

Two new species of butterflyfish and a new angelfish have been observed but not named. Some 40 fish speciesp not p previouslyy known to live in the area have been identified.