Deep-sea scavenging amphipod assemblages from the submarine canyons of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract. Submarine canyons have often been identified as hotspots of secondary production with the potential to house distinct faunal assemblages and idiosyncratic ecosystems. Within these deep-sea habitats, assemblages of scavenging fauna play a vital role in reintroducing organic matter from large food falls into the wider deep-sea food chain. Free-fall baited traps were set at different depths within three submarine canyons on the Iberian Margin. Amphipods from the traps were identified to species level and counted. Scavenging amphipod assemblages were compared at different depths within each canyon, between individual canyon systems, and between the abyssal plain and submarine canyon sites. Samples from canyons were found to contain common abyssal plain species but in greater than expected abundances. Community composition differed significantly between the submarine canyons and abyssal plains. It is proposed that this is a result of the high organic carbon input into canyon systems owing to their interception of sediment from the continental shelf and input from associated estuarine systems.

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Deep-sea scavenging amphipod assemblages from the submarine canyons of the Western Iberian Peninsula

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-9-4861-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 4861-4869 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

G. A. Duffy ◽

T. Horton ◽

D. S. M. Billett

Keyword(s):

Deep Sea ◽

Free Fall ◽

Submarine Canyon ◽

Environmental Variable ◽

Vital Role ◽

Abyssal Plain ◽

Submarine Canyons ◽

Baited Traps ◽

Different Depths ◽

Using Data

Abstract. Submarine canyons have often been identified as hotspots of secondary production with the potential to house distinct faunal assemblages and idiosyncratic ecosystems. Within these deep-sea habitats, assemblages of scavenging fauna play a vital role in reintroducing organic matter from large food falls into the wider deep-sea food chain. Free-fall baited traps were set at different depths within three submarine canyons on the Iberian Margin. Amphipods from the traps were identified to species level and counted. Scavenging amphipod assemblages were compared at different depths within each canyon and between individual canyon systems. Using data from literature, abyssal plain assemblages were compared to submarine canyon assemblages. Samples from canyons were found to contain common abyssal plain species but in greater than expected abundances. It is proposed that this is a result of the high organic carbon input into canyon systems owing to their interception of sediment from the continental shelf and input from associated estuarine systems. Community composition differed significantly between the submarine canyons and abyssal plains. The cause of this difference cannot be attributed to one environmental variable due to the numerous inherent differences between canyons and abyssal plains.

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Identifying Habitats of Conservation Priority in the São Vicente Submarine Canyon in Southwestern Portugal

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.672850 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Iga-Maria Nestorowicz ◽

Frederico Oliveira ◽

Pedro Monteiro ◽

Luís Bentes ◽

Nuno Sales Henriques ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Deep Sea ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Submarine Canyon ◽

Habitats Directive ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Submarine Canyons ◽

Remotely Operated Vehicle ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Marine Habitats

Identifying vulnerable marine habitats is fundamental to promote evidence-based management and a sustainable use of our oceans. Although progress in the mapping of marine benthic habitats has been made, complex ecosystems such as submarine canyons remain largely unexplored, hampering evidence-based management from taking place in these ubiquitous features worldwide. Data from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey in the upper São Vicente Submarine Canyon in southwestern Portugal from 2011, was analysed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of megabenthic habitats, particularly those of conservation concern occuring between 90 and 560 m. Underwater videos from three exploratory dives, covering a total of 8.8 kilometers, were analyzed through multivariate and visual assessments, and the identified habitats were assessed against a set of criteria derived from current definitions of priority habitats. Thirteen potential priority habitats were characterized, out of which four distinct “coral gardens” and one “deep-sea sponge aggregation” are aligned with OSPAR definitions of priority habitats, and one corresponds to the habitat of a strictly protected sea urchin listed in the Habitats Directive. Three circalittoral sponge aggregations were also suggested based on the abundance of indicator species. The specific composition and diversity of priority habitats as described here, has not yet been described in any other canyon in the NE Atlantic region. Depth was revealed to be particularly important for the distribution of habitats, followed by relief and substratum. The approach presented in this study contributes to improve the understanding about submarine canyons, which is paramount to implement knowledge-based protection measures. Furthermore, it can be used to support future mapping efforts of deep-sea environments such as submarine canyons.

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Deep sea benthic bioluminescence at artificial food falls, 1,000–4,800 m depth, in the Porcupine Seabight and Abyssal Plain, North East Atlantic Ocean

Marine Biology ◽

10.1007/s00227-006-0407-0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 150 (6) ◽

pp. 1053-1060 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

E. J. V. Gillibrand ◽

P. Bagley ◽

A. Jamieson ◽

P. J. Herring ◽

J. C. Partridge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Ocean ◽

Deep Sea ◽

Abyssal Plain ◽

East Atlantic ◽

Artificial Food ◽

Porcupine Seabight ◽

North East ◽

Food Falls

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Corallimorpharians (Anthozoa: Corallimorpharia) from the Argentinean Sea

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4688.2.5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4688 (2) ◽

pp. 249-263

Author(s):

DANIEL LAURETTA ◽

MARIANO I. MARTINEZ

Keyword(s):

Deep Sea ◽

Submarine Canyon ◽

Sister Group ◽

Southwestern Atlantic ◽

Sea Anemones ◽

Northern Patagonia ◽

Stony Corals ◽

Internal Morphology ◽

Southwestern Atlantic Ocean ◽

First Time

Corallimorpharians are a relative small group of anthozoan cnidarians, also known as jewel sea anemones. They resemble actiniarian sea anemones in lacking a skeleton and being solitary, but resemble scleractinian corals in external and internal morphology, and they are considered to be the sister group of the stony corals. Corynactis carnea (=Sphincteractis sanmatiensis) is a small, common and eye catching species that inhabits the shallow water of northern Patagonia and the Argentinean shelf up to 200 m depth. Corallimorphus rigidus is registered for the first time from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. It is a rather big and rare species that inhabits only the deep sea. Only two specimens were found at 2934 m depth in Mar del Plata submarine canyon, in an area under the influence of the Malvinas current, which may explain its occurrence. These two species are the only two known jewel sea anemones in the Argentinean sea and are reported and described herein.

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