New Species of Deep Sea Coral Named for Dr. Mercer Brugler
Dr. Mercer R. Brugler received exciting news from the scientific community: a newly
discovered species of deep-sea black coral has been named in his honor.
The species, Leiopathes brugleri, was recently described by scientists from the Smithsonian Institution's National
Museum of Natural History and international collaborators as part of an effort to
better understand the biodiversity of the deep Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.
Brugler is Chair of USCB's Department of Natural Sciences and Professor of Marine
Biology.
The new species was found on the continental slope and mound habitats from Texas to
Florida and in the Azores between 244–488 meters depth. The coral forms impressive
tree-like colonies (can exceed 2 m in width and height) that provide habitat for a
wide variety of marine life and can live for at least 4,265 years, making them valuable
indicators of ocean health.
The living tissue is primarily white, but can also be red–to–orange in color. The
discovery was published in the journal Coral Reefs on June 15, 2026.
Dr. Brugler's research has focused on the evolution and conservation of black corals
for more than two decades.
- USCB -
CW 06/24/2026