Vertical structure, biomass and topographic association of deep-pelagic fishes in relation to a mid-ocean ridge system

Sutton, Tracey; Porteiro, Filipe M.; Heino, Mikko; Byrkjedal, Ingvar; Langhelle, Gunnar; Anderson, C. I. H.; Horne, John K.; Søiland, Henrik; Falkenhaug, Tone; Godø, Olav Rune; Bergstad, Odd Aksel

doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2007.09.013

Cited by 127 publications

(136 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This is in line with previous surveys of deep-sea fauna at the MAR, which did not report any marked cross-ridge differences in species composition for bathypelagic (Sutton et al, 2008) and demersal fish . However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the MAR may pose an obstacle to east-west dispersal, especially in lower bathyal (Gebruk et al, 2010) and abyssal fauna (McClain et al, 2009b;Etter et al, 2011).…”

Section: Spatial Structuresupporting

confidence: 80%

Diversity, distribution and spatial structure of the cold-water coral fauna of the Azores (NE Atlantic)

et al. 2013

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Cold-water corals are widely considered as important structural components of benthic habitats, potentially enhancing local abundance in a variety of fish and invertebrate species. Yet, current knowledge of the taxonomic diversity and distribution patterns of these vulnerable, slow-growing organisms is scarce and fragmented, limiting the effectiveness of spatial management and conservation measures. We have conducted an exhaustive compilation of records of alcyonaceans, antipatharians, scleractinians and stylasterids available through present day to assess the diversity, distribution and spatial structure of coral assemblages in the Azores exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The resulting database comprises 2501 entries concerning historical oceanographic expeditions and other published sources, as well as unpublished data from bottom longline by-catch. Our taxonomic inventory appears to be fairly complete for the explored habitats, accounting for 164 species (79 alcyonaceans, 58 scleractinians, 18 antipatharians and 9 stylasterids), nine of which were documented for the first time. The Azores EEZ harbours a mixed coral fauna with several zoogeographic origins, showing the closest affinity with the Lusitanian–Mediterranean region. Very few apparent endemics were found (14%), and only in part supported by consistent sampling. Coral diversity is particularly high between 300 and 900 m depths, in areas recognized as traditional fishing grounds or exploitable fish habitat within the 100-mile limit of the EEZ. The composition of coral assemblages shows significant geographical structure among longitudinal sections of the study area at comparable depths (100–1500 m). There is no evidence of a possible role of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge or latitudinal effects underlying this pattern, which suggests that it may instead reflect assemblage variability among features. Stronger changes in species composition were found along the bathymetric gradient. Notwithstanding the mix of partially overlapping steno- and eurybathic species that characterize the vertical distribution of corals, there is a distinct transition from shallow (100–600 m) to intermediate (600–1000 m) depths. The analysis presented here constitutes a valuable contribution for efficient conservation policies of coral-associated vulnerable marine ecosystems and their sustainable use as fishing areas

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Section: Spatial Structuresupporting

confidence: 80%

Diversity, distribution and spatial structure of the cold-water coral fauna of the Azores (NE Atlantic)

et al. 2013

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“…Similar conclusions were reached for zooplankton Hosia et al 2008 ;Stemmann et al 2008 ), although in zooplankton the SPF constitute more of a marked boundary for southern than northern species. Variation in the pelagic fauna is primarily related to depth, and the bathypelagic fi sh assemblages show a high degree of consistency from Iceland to the Azores (Sutton et al 2008 ). Overall, the abundance of fi shes declines with depth, but unexpectedly the pelagic fi shes showed a biomass maximum in the bathypelagic zone between 1,500 and 2,300 m and in the benthic boundary layer, 0 -200 m above the bottom regardless of depth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The preponderance near the ridge of large, adult bathypelagic fi shes (Sutton et al 2008 ;M. Heino et al , unpublished observations), many in gravid condition (A. Stene, unpublished observations), suggests that the MAR, and perhaps other mid -ocean ridge systems, may be important spawning locations for otherwise widely (basin -wide) distributed fi sh species.…”

Section: Life -H Istory S Tudiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the top 750 m of the water column, there were two primary faunal groups of pelagic fi shes (Sutton et al 2008 ): a higher abundance, lower diversity assemblage from Iceland to the Faraday Seamount Zone (numerically dominated by the lanternfi sh Benthosema glaciale ), and a lower abundance, higher diversity assemblage in the region of the Azores (29 lanternfi sh species contributed half of total abundance). Below 750 m there was a large assemblage of deep meso -to bathypelagic fi shes that spanned from the Reykjanes Ridge all the way to the Azores (numerically dominated by the bristlemouth, Cyclothone microdon ).…”

Section: Pelagic N Ektonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sars expedition. Of these fi shes, two -thirds or more were pelagic (Sutton et al 2008 ), the rest demersal (that is, either benthic or benthopelagic (Bergstad et al 2008b )). Many species were extremely rare and some were undescribed (see, for example, Orlov et al 2006 ;Byrkjedal & Orlov 2007 ;Chernova & M ø ller 2008 ).…”

Section: The Mar -Eco P Rojectmentioning

confidence: 99%

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