Nematode Assemblages of Deep-Sea and Shelf Break Sites in the North-Atlantic and Mediterranean-Sea

• Published in: Marine Ecology Progress Series
• Main Authors: Soetaert, K.E.R., Heip, C.H.R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1995
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://pure.knaw.nl/portal/en/publications/520ea123-0df6-4e9b-8775-0f1887eae045; https://doi.org/10.3354/meps125171; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11755/520ea123-0df6-4e9b-8775-0f1887eae045; https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/files/485898/Soetaert_ea_2010.pdf

The nematode community structure of several shelf break and deep-sea stations in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean is compared using data from the literature. Samples from 2 Mediterranean deep-sea canyons have a unique fauna of predatory and scavenging nematodes (e.g. Synonchiella, Halichoanolaimus, Gammanema) which comprise some 20 to 30% of the community, while some of the typical deep-sea genera (Theristus, Acantholaimus) are only marginally present. The nematode generic composition of the other sites reveals a gentle transition from the shelf break (Bay of Biscay; Mediterranean) over the slope (Mediterranean) towards the continental rise, abyssal plain and hadal depths (Bay of Biscay, Puerto Rico Trench, HEBBLE site, Hatteras Abyssal Plain). At all these sites predators and omnivores are less abundant ( The nematode community structure of several shelf break and deep-sea stations in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean is compared using data from the literature. Samples from 2 Mediterranean deep-sea canyons have a unique fauna of predatory and scavenging nematodes (e.g. Synonchiella, Halichoanolaimus, Gammanema) which comprise some 20 to 30% of the community, while some of the typical deep-sea genera (Theristus, Acantholaimus) are only marginally present. The nematode generic composition of the other sites reveals a gentle transition from the shelf break (Bay of Biscay; Mediterranean) over the slope (Mediterranean) towards the continental rise, abyssal plain and hadal depths (Bay of Biscay, Puerto Rico Trench, HEBBLE site, Hatteras Abyssal Plain). At all these sites predators and omnivores are less abundant (