scholarly journals Chemosymbiotic species from the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic): distribution, life styles and nutritional patterns

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 17347-17376 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Rodrigues ◽  
A. Hilário ◽  
M. R. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Life Styles ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract. Previous work in the mud volcanoes from the Gulf of Cadiz revealed a high number of chemosymbiotic species, namely bivalves and siboglinid polychaetes. In this study we give an overview of the distribution and life styles of those species in the Gulf of Cadiz, determine the role of autotrophic symbionts in the nutrition of selected species using stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) and investigate the intra-specific variation of isotope signatures within and between study sites. Twenty siboglinid and nine bivalve chemosymbiotic species have been identified and were found living in fifteen mud volcanoes during our studies. Solemyids bivalves and tubeworms of the genus Siboglinum are the most widespread, whereas other species were found in a single mud volcano (e.g. "Bathymodiolus" mauritanicus) or restricted to deeper mud volcanoes (e.g. Polybrachia sp., Lamelisabella denticulata). Species distribution suggests that different species may adjust their position within the sediment according to their particular needs and intensity and variability of the chemical substrata supply. Isotopic values found for selected species are in accordance with values found in other studies, with thiotrophy as the dominant nutritional pathway, and with methanotrophy and mixotrophy emerging as secondary strategies. The heterogeneity in terms of nutrient sources (expressed in the high variance of nitrogen and sulphur values) and the ability to exploit different resources by the different species may explain the high diversity of chemosymbiotic species found in the Gulf of Cadiz. This study increases the knowledge of the chemosymbiotic species in the Gulf of Cadiz, highlight the relevance of seep chemoautolithotrophic production in this area and provide a starting point for future trophic ecology studies.

scholarly journals Chemosymbiotic species from the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic): distribution, life styles and nutritional patterns

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 2569-2581 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Rodrigues ◽  
A. Hilário ◽  
M. R. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Life Styles ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract. Previous work in the mud volcanoes from the Gulf of Cadiz (South Iberian Margin) revealed a high number of chemosymbiotic species, namely bivalves and siboglinid polychaetes. In this study we give an overview of the distribution and life styles of these species in the Gulf of Cadiz, determine the role of autotrophic symbionts in the nutrition of selected species using stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) and investigate the intra-specific variation of isotope signatures within and between study sites. During our studies, we identified twenty siboglinidae and nine bivalve chemosymbiotic species living in fifteen mud volcanoes. Solemyid bivalves and tubeworms of the genus Siboglinum are widespread in the study area, whereas other species were found in a single mud volcano (e.g. "Bathymodiolus" mauritanicus) or restricted to deeper mud volcanoes (e.g. Polybrachia sp., Lamelisabella denticulata). Species distribution suggests that different species may adjust their position within the sediment according to their particular needs, and to the intensity and variability of the chemical substrata supply. Tissue stable isotope signatures for selected species are in accordance with values found in other studies, with thiotrophy as the dominant nutritional pathway, and with methanotrophy and mixotrophy emerging as secondary strategies. The heterogeneity in terms of nutrient sources (expressed in the high variance of nitrogen and sulphur values) and the ability to exploit different resources by the different species may explain the high diversity of chemosymbiotic species found in the Gulf of Cadiz. This study increases the knowledge on distributional patterns and resource partitioning of chemosymbiotic species and highlights how trophic fuelling varies on spatial scales with direct implications to seep assemblages and potentially to the biodiversity of continental margin.

Biogeochemistry of surface sediments in mud volcanoes of the Gulf of Cádiz

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolores Jiménez-López ◽  
Ana Sierra ◽  
Teodora Ortega ◽  
Sandra Manzano-Medina ◽  
M. Carmen Fernández-Puga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as surrogates for epigeic arthropods in Northern Andalusian ‘dehesas’ (Spain)

Sociobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Francisco Jiménez-Carmona ◽  
Soledad Carpintero ◽  
Joaquín Luís Reyes-López
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
Ant Communities ◽  
Biodiversity Indicator ◽  
Sierra Morena ◽  
Indicator Group ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Status ◽  
Group A ◽  
Study Sites

The ‘dehesas’ are important and vast agro-silvo-pastoral systems typical of the Iberian Peninsula that are undergoing a crisis due to their low economic profitability and environmental degradation. Thus, it is necessary to identify effective tools that provide a reliable idea of the status of these ecosystems as a starting point for future measures of conservation. In this study we analyse the possible role of ants as surrogates for epigeic arthropods, a common biodiversity indicator group. A total of 15 farms were sampled throughout Sierra Morena (Andalusia, Spain) with pitfall traps, both for the ‘dehesa’ habitats themselves and for different microhabitats within the study sites. First, we achieve a complete list of the species of ants of the area. The results indicate that the ‘dehesa’ habitats were very homogenous for all farms, while microhabitats showed differences in species richness and ant communities’ composition compared to the ‘dehesas’. To evaluate the role of ants as surrogates, the number of traps occupied by each order of arthropod and by each ant species was compared. We found a high correlation between them what confirm the surrogate character of ants for the rest of arthropods in these ecosystems.

Macroinfaunal Communities on mud Volcanoes in the Gulf of Cádiz (NE Atlantic): Preliminary Results

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Candela Pérez ◽  
Santiago Parra ◽  
Joaquín Valencia-Vila ◽  
Carmen Vázquez ◽  
Juan Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Ne Atlantic ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz

scholarly journals Additions to the Tanaidomorpha (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) from mud volcanoes and coral mounds of the Gulf of Cadiz and Horseshoe Continental Rise

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4377 (4) ◽  
pp. 517
Author(s):  
PATRICIA ESQUETE ◽  
MARINA R. CUNHA
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Continental Rise ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz ◽  
First Time

The Tanaidacea collection from various research cruises carried out in the Gulf of Cadiz and Horseshoe Continental Rise between 2004 and 2012 yielded four species new to science that are described herein. Two belong to genera recorded for the first time since the original descriptions of their type species: Cetiopyge, described from the Gulf of Mexico and Gamboa from shallow waters of Macaronesia. The other two belong to the genera Collettea and Paragathotanais, both with a worldwide distribution. Additionally, specimens of Tumidochelia uncinata are described and illustrated to complete previous descriptions. Identification keys to all known genera of Nototanaidae, and the Eastern Atlantic species of Paragathotanais and Collettea are provided. This works raises the number of tanaidacean species known from the deep-sea habitats in the study region to a total of 22. 

scholarly journals Macrofaunal assemblages from mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cadiz: abundance, biodiversity and diversity partitioning across spatial scales

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 2553-2568 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Cunha ◽  
C. F. Rodrigues ◽  
L. Génio ◽  
A. Hilário ◽  
A. Ravara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Cold Seeps ◽  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Geologic History ◽  
Diversity Partitioning ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz

Abstract. The Gulf of Cadiz is an extensive seepage area in the south Iberian margin (NE Atlantic) encompassing over 40 mud volcanoes (MVs) at depths ranging from 200 to 4000 m. The area has a long geologic history and a central biogeographic location with a complex circulation ensuring oceanographic connectivity with the Mediterranean Sea, equatorial and North Atlantic regions. The geodynamics of the region promotes a notorious diversity in the seep regime despite the relatively low fluxes of hydrocarbon-rich gases. We analyse quantitative samples taken during the cruises TTR14, TTR15 and MSM01-03 in seven mud volcanoes grouped into Shallow MVs (Mercator: 350 m, Kidd: 500 m, Meknès: 700 m) and Deep MVs (Captain Arutyunov: 1300 m, Carlos Ribeiro: 2200 m, Bonjardim: 3000 m, Porto: 3900 m) and two additional Reference sites (ca. 550 m). Macrofauna (retained by a 500 μm sieve) was identified to species level whenever possible. The samples yielded modest abundances (70–1567 individuals per 0.25 m2), but the local and regional number of species is among the highest ever reported for cold seeps. Among the 366 recorded species, 22 were symbiont-hosting bivalves (Thyasiridae, Vesicomyidae, Solemyidae) and tubeworms (Siboglinidae). The multivariate analyses supported the significant differences between Shallow and Deep MVs: The environmental conditions at the Shallow MVs make them highly permeable to the penetration of background fauna leading to high diversity of the attendant assemblages (H′: 2.92–3.94; ES(100): 28.3–45.0; J′: 0.685–0.881). The Deep MV assemblages showed, in general, contrasting features but were more heterogeneous (H′: 1.41–3.06; ES(100): 10.5–30.5; J′: 0.340–0.852) and often dominated by one or more siboglinid species. The rarefaction curves confirmed the differences in biodiversity of Deep and Shallow MVs as well as the convergence of the latter to the Reference sites. The Bray–Curtis dissimilarity demonstrated the high β-diversity of the assemblages, especially in pairwise comparisons involving samples from the Deep MVs. Diversity partitioning assessed for species richness, Hurlbert's expected number of species and Shannon–Wiener index confirmed the high β-diversity across different spatial scales (within MVs, between MVs, between Deep and Shallow MVs). We suggest that historical and contemporary factors with differential synergies at different depths contribute to the high α-, β- and γ-diversity of the mud volcano faunal assemblages in the Gulf of Cadiz.

scholarly journals The snails' tale in deep-sea habitats in the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic)

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 5159-5170 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Génio ◽  
A. Warén ◽  
F. L. Matos ◽  
M. R. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Mud Volcanoes ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Abstract. Bridging the Atlantic and Mediterranean continental margins, the South Iberian region has recently been the focus for geological and biological investigations. In this region, the Gulf of Cadiz (GoC) encompasses a great variety of deep-sea habitats that harbour highly diverse biological communities. In this study, we describe the composition of gastropod assemblages obtained from in situ colonization experiments and benthic sampling of deep-sea habitats in the GoC. Gastropod distributional patterns, such as bathymetric ranges, bathymetric turnover, affinity to substrate types and abundance-occupancy relationships, are analysed and interpreted in relation to their inferred dispersal capabilities and substrate availability. Overall, the GoC comprises a high diversity of gastropods (65 species), and distinct assemblages were found in typical sedimentary environments at mud volcanoes and in association with carbonate and coral samples or organic substrata. The number of taxa peaked at the Carbonate Province in the middle slope (600–1200 m depth), a highly heterogeneous area with numerous mud volcanoes, carbonate mounds and corals. Darwin (1100 m) and Captain Arutyunov (1300 m) mud volcanoes harboured the most species-rich and abundant gastropod assemblages, respectively. Colonization experiments with organic substrata (wood and alfalfa grass) also yielded diverse and abundant gastropod assemblages. These organic inputs allowed the recruitment of local species but mainly of wood specialist taxa that were not previously known from the GoC. Our results suggest that the distribution of gastropod assemblages may be primarily determined by the occurrence of suitable habitats, probably due to the effect of the substrate type on the structural complexity of the habitat and availability and diversity of adequate food sources. The type of larval development is apparently not a limiting factor for colonization of deep-sea habitats. However, the predominance of non-planktotrophy, and especially lecithotrophy, suggests that a trade-off between more limited dispersal capability and higher potential for self-recruitment may be a recurrent pattern in gastropod species inhabiting reducing environments and other patchily distributed deep-sea habitats. A network of suitable habitats that ensures effective population connectivity would explain the predominance and relatively wide distribution of short-distance dispersing non-planktotrophic species in the GoC deep-sea habitats and other geographical regions.

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