Biotope characterisation and compiled geographical distribution of the deepwater oyster Neopycnodonte zibrowii in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

• Main Authors: Beuck, L. (Lydia), Aguilar, R. (Ricardo), Fabri, M.C. (Marie-Claire), Freiwald, A. (André), Gofas, S. (Serge), Hebbeln, D. (Dierk), López Correa, M. (Matthias), Ramos, A. (Ana), Ramil, F. (Francisco), Sánchez, F. (Francisco), Taviani, M. (Marco), Wienberg, C. (Claudia), Wisshak, M. (Max), Zibrowius, H. (Helmut)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo
• Subjects: Biodiversity; geographycal distribution; bivalves; bathyal; habitats; canyons; Atlantic Ocean; Mediterranean Sea; review; Salas; North Atlantic; South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10508/10677

It may seem surprising that probably one of the largest and most long-lived deep-water bivalves, the gryphaeid Neopycnodonte zibrowii Gofas, Salas & Taviani in Wisshak et al. (2009) [1], experienced a taxonomic description as late as in the early 21 century. Previously N. zibrowii oyster findings were informally treated as ‘large oyster’, Ostrea sp. or they were admixed with the cosmopolitan gryphaeid Neopycnodonte cochlear (Poli, 1795). Thus, a taxonomic re-evaluation of some N. cochlear and Ostrea sp. samples from unusual depths and/or sizes led to additional records for N. zibrowii. A large number of dead N. zibrowii records were accidental findings deriving from dredging and contributing to the fact that just some records of the data compilation have previously been published in the literature. The ever increasing number of in situ recordings and direct sampling of N. zibrowii in its specific biotopes over the last 2-3 decades is related to the systematic reconnaissance of cold-water coral habitats as biodiversity hotspots and their environmental controls along the continental margins of Europe and Africa, and jointly with the increase in applying advanced marine technologies, such as manned submersibles and remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs). This study is based on geographical N. zibrowii records retrieved from cruises, non-shipbased submersible expeditions and terrestrial field trips, carried out between June 1882 and January 2016. The revealed geographical distribution of live N. zibrowii occurrences spans latitudinally from 48° N (Whittard Canyon, Celtic Sea) to 9° S (Anna Ridge off Angola, South Atlantic Ocean), and longitudinally from 28° W (Faial Channel, Azores, North Atlantic Ocean) to 13° E (Urania Bank, Sicilian Channel, central Mediterranean Sea). Late Pleistocene submerged occurrences further extent this distribution to 26° E (southeast off Crete, eastern Mediterranean Sea). Bathymetrically, live N. zibrowii are found between 234 m (off Mauritania, North Atlantic Ocean) and 983.5 m water ...