Campagne Biocal: Environnement bathyal actuel et recent aux abords de la Nouvelle Caledonie

A zoological survey of all macrofauna of benthic Invertebrates has been made along the slopes. New taxa of all taxonomic ranks are abundant. High faunal specific diversity and originality is obvious to all taxonomists. It is worth to mention that since the "Challenger" expedition over a century ago, the whole south-western Pacific region has been kept away from the great deep-sea research vessels routes. The study of both the BIOCAL collections and all the others from further cruises around New Caledonia is insured to provide new data to understanding the biogeography and evolution of the deep sea fauna.