* This marine habitat occurred in a protected niche among boulders, in the clear, deeper waters off Isla Champion.  This niche was maybe 10 meters deeper than the abundant mounds of hermatypic reef-building coral (Pavona gigantea ? ) (1) passed on the descent.  We were able to find in the area only two colonies of the above soft coral. 

At this  perspective of the habitat, a white encrusting sponge is located at the upper right.  Toward the right center, a white organism appears to drip downward.  A close examination leads one to believe that this may not be a sponge.  Perhaps a Bryzoan ?  At the lower left is what we believe to be red tests of Foraminifera, occurring among several unidentified marine organisms.  A different view of this unique habitat is given in the next image.    

Isla Champion, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador - Depth 100 feet or 30 meters