1. Megabenthic assemblages in the lower bathyal (700–3000 m) on the New England and Corner Rise Seamounts, Northwest Atlantic.
- Author
-
Lapointe, Abby E., Watling, Les, France, Scott C., and Auster, Peter J.
- Subjects
- *
SEAMOUNTS , *HIERARCHICAL clustering (Cluster analysis) , *WATER masses , *REMOTELY piloted vehicles , *CONTINENTAL margins - Abstract
Using a combination of data obtained from high-definition still images, video, and specimens collected during human-occupied submersible and remotely-operated vehicle dives spanning the period 2003 to 2014, we provide the first detailed characterization of the megabenthic assemblages in the lower bathyal on the New England and Corner Rise Seamounts in the Northwest Atlantic. Over all, the New England Seamounts east from Retriever to Nashville have a more diverse megabenthic fauna than Corner Rise, but the lowest diversity was observed on the three seamounts located closest to the continental margin. The megabenthic assemblage structure varies both within and across seamounts, and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed groups dependent on location (as measured by longitude) and depth, with substrate composition an additional but less significant factor at the regional scale. We conclude that the megabenthos assemblages in the bathyal Northwest Atlantic are determined, at the regional scale, by the water masses in which they reside. • The New England and Corner Rise Seamount groups in the NW Atlantic have different megabenthic assemblages. • Megabenthos assemblage composition is correlated with latitude and water depth. • Megabenthos assemblages are determined by the physical characteristics of the water masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF