3. South Norfolk Ridge and the Three Kings Rise
Map ID Number: 3
Location: Northwest of the New Zealand landmass
Approximate area: 269,180km2
Description of area:
The South Norfolk Ridge and Three Kings Rise is characterised by numerous seamounts.
Biological attributes:
This area has an ancient sponge fauna that offers a window into the Cretaceous period. There is "a nest of living fossils" of marine invertebrates at mid-depth (400-700 m)
Criteria applied:
Species diversity; species richness; endemism; relict/genetic lineages (i.e. “living fossils”); special phylogenetic grouping; extremities of range and adaptation to environment; links to global patterns.
Status and management:
No specific management status known other than EEZ protection.
State of information:
Knowledge of sponge fauna of the area is current, relatively comprehensive, and based on examination of all recent and most historical NIWA and National Museum of New Zealand (NMNZ) collections. Information about this area increases substantially with each sampling effort.
References and further reading:
The NORFANZ voyage explored deep sea habitats around seamounts and abyssal plains around Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands through to northern New Zealand. The joint Australia-New Zealand research cruise took place in May-June 2003. Findings are summarised at: www.oceans.gov.au/norfanz/ Kelly (2000b, 2001a, 2001b, 2003), Kelly and Buckeridge (2003), Kelly et al. (2003, in press), Pomponi et al. (2001).