Environmental drivers of megafaunal assemblage composition and biomass distribution over mainland and insular slopes of the Balearic Basin (Western Mediterranean)

The influence of mesoscale physical and trophic variables on deep-sea megafauna, a scale of variation often neglected in deep-sea studies, is crucial for understanding their role in the ecosystem. Drivers of megafaunal assemblage composition and biomass distribution have been investigated in two contrasting areas of the Balearic basin in the NW Mediterranean: on the mainland slope (Catalonian coasts) and on the insular slope (North of Mallorca, Balearic Islands). An experimental bottom trawl survey was carried out during summer 2010, at stations in both sub-areas located between 450 and 2200 m water depth. Environmental data were collected simultaneously: near-bottom physical parameters, and the elemental and isotopic composition of sediments. Initially, data were analysed along the whole depth gradient, and then assemblages from the two areas were compared. Analysis of the trawls showed the existence of one group associated with the upper slope (US=450–690 m), another with the middle slope (MS=1000–1300 m) and a third with the lower slope (LS=1400–2200 m). Also, significant differences in the assemblage composition were found between mainland and insular slopes at MS. Dominance by different species was evident when the two areas were compared by SIMPER analysis. The greatest fish biomass was recorded in both areas at 1000–1300 m, a zone linked to minimum temperature and maximum O₂ concentration on the bottom. Near the mainland, fish assemblages were best explained (43% of total variance, DISTLM analysis) by prey availability (gelatinous zooplankton biomass). On the insular slope, trophic webs seemed less complex and were based on vertical input of surface primary production. Decapods, which reached their highest biomass values on the upper slope, were correlated with salinity and temperature in both the areas. However, while hydrographic conditions (temperature and salinity) seemed to be the most important variables over the insular slope, resource availability (gelatinous zooplankton and Calocaris macandreae) predominated and explained 59% of decapod assemblage variation over the mainland slope. Both fish and decapods were linked to net primary production recorded over the mainland 3 months before sampling, while the delay between the input of food from the surface and fish abundance was only 1 month on the insular slope. Our results suggest that trophic relationships over insular slopes probably involve a shorter food chain than over mainland slopes and one that is likely more efficient in terms of energy transfer.     

The benthopelagic fish fauna on the summit of Seine Seamount,NE Atlantic: Composition,population structure and diets

Benthopelagic fishes were sampled during three cruises to Seine Seamount, NE Atlantic, using bottom trawls and an epibenthic sledge. A total of 16 fish species were caught on the summit plateau of the seamount at 160–180 m depth, belonging to 15 different families. Four species were common to all types of trawls, whereas the other species were found only in part of the catches. Most fish caught were small species and typical for shelf and seamount communities. The most abundant fish was the snipefish, Macroramphosus spp., which was important also in terms of biomass. The population structure (size classes and length/weight relationships) of the five most abundant species (Macroramphosus spp., Capros aper, Anthias anthias, Callanthias ruber and Centracanthus cirrus) shows that usually two or three size classes, probably representing age groups (year classes), were present, and that growth rates were high. A stomach content analysis of these fishes revealed a predominance of pelagic prey, mainly small copepods. No indications for a seamount effect in terms of enhanced biomass or topographic blockage were found.     

Trawls and cooling-water intakes as estuarine fish sampling tools: Comparisons of catch composition,trends in relative abundance,and length selectivity

Fish populations in estuaries are often monitored with traditional sampling gears such as trawls. Trawling is relatively expensive and may be hindered by environmental conditions such as tides and substrates. Power station cooling-water intake screens have been effectively used as estuarine fish sampling devices for many years, but very few quantitative comparisons of intake fish-catch characteristics with samples from other collection methods have been made. Fish collected at the cooling-water intake of a large power station in the lower Forth estuary, UK, were more similar in assemblage composition to fish caught by nearby pelagic trawling than to fish caught by Agassiz (demersal) trawling, mostly because the intake and pelagic-trawl catches were largely composed of clupeids (Sprattus sprattus and Clupea harengus). The intake catch was typified by pelagic, demersal, and benthic species, however, and was less variable than the catches made by the two trawls. Monthly trends in relative abundance correlated reasonably well between the intake and trawl samples. Fish collected at the intake tended to be significantly smaller than those collected by trawling, which was probably attributable to the intake's smaller mesh size. The study highlighted the utility of a cooling-water intake as an efficient, low-cost fish sampling device, which should be considered as an alternative to trawling as the cost of the latter increases into the future.     

Demersal fish and megafaunal assemblages on the Cretan continental shelf and slope (NE Mediterranean): seasonal variation in species density, biomass and diversity

The demersal fish and megafaunal assemblages in the area of Heraklion Bay, Crete, were sampled during four research cruises from September 1994 to September 1995 within the framework of the CINCS project, using a stratified trawl survey at depths ranging from 50 to 1000 m. The sampling at 1000 m depth was the deepest ever made in Greek waters, using a bottom otter trawl. Species density and biomass were found to vary between depths and seasons, with higher values occurring at the shallow stations. Species distribution and communities are also reported. A total of 127 species of osteichthyes, chondrichthyes, crustaceans, and cephalopods were recorded, four of which were found for the first time in Greek waters. Percent similarity index (PSI) was used to assess the differences in the relative abundance of species pairs between depth zones and seasons. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to examine station variability statistically.     

Mesopelagic fishes of the Bering Sea and adjacent northern North Pacific Ocean

Fourteen midwater trawl collections to depths of 450 m to 1,400 m were taken at eleven stations in the Bering Sea and adjoining regions of the northern North Pacific by the R/V Hakuho Maru during the summer of 1975. A total of 29 kinds of fishes were identified. Mesopelagic fishes of the families Myctophidae, Gonostomatidae and Bathylagidae predominated in the catches, contributing 14 species (94%) of the fishes caught.Seventeen species of fishes were caught in the Bering Sea, and all of these are known from nearby areas. The mesopelagic fish fauna of the Bering Sea is similar to that in adjoining regions of the northern North Pacific Ocean: endemic species are rare or absent. Stenobrachius nannochir was usually the most common mesopelagic fish in our catches.Stenobrachius leucopsarus is a diel vertical migrant that is usually the dominant mesopelagic fish in modified Subarctic waters of the northeastern Pacific. The change in dominance fromS. nannochir in the western Bering Sea toS. leucopsarus in the eastern Bering Sea is related to differences in oceanographic conditions.     

Influence of Velocity and Types of Beam Trawl Towing on Deep-Sea Demersal Fish and Decapod Crustacean Samples

The sampling efficiency of two types of beam trawl towed at different velocities was compared when sampling deep-sea demersal fish and decapod crustaceans. The trawls were a Sigsbee-Agassiz type of 2 m span, and an Oregon type of 3 m span. The different hauls caught by the Oregon type beam trawl of 3 m span towed at 1.5 knot (3m 1.5 kt), the Oregon type towed at 0.8 knot (3m 0.8 kt) and the Sigsbee-Agassiz type towed at 1.5 knot (2m 1.5 kt) were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Tukey test, cluster analysis based on Morisita-Horn index, and correspondence analysis. The minimum viable sample size was determined by a randomization test. For demersal fish, the type of gear used had more influenced on the samples obtained than the towing velocity. For decapod crustaceans, no significant difference was detected between different trawls towed at different velocities. The common idea that if these types of trawl are towed at 1 knot or more, they cannot efficiently sample epifauna, but demersal fish can be well sampled, should be abandoned. The samples of demersal fish caught by 3m 1.5 kt revealed the greatest consistency and lowest variation than the others. We recommend using an Oregon type beam trawl of 3 m span towed at 1.5 knot as an ordinary deep-sea sampling device. Only a single successful haul or a sample size of 52 individuals was sufficient for estimating demersal fish diversity, but at least two successful hauls or a sample size of 54 individuals were needed for decapod crustaceans. If possible, seven successful hauls or a sample size of 189 individuals of decapod crustaceans are recommended for community study. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

1983年夏季渤海上层鱼类生物量的估计

这项工作是渤海水产资源增殖研究中的一个组成部分。1982年4月至1983年5月对该海区底层所进行的鱼类调查结束后,接着于6月和7月开展了上层的鱼类调查。调查工具为185马力双船上层拖网。网口周长为800目,目大100毫米。网囊部为20毫米目。拖网时,两船间距平均为94.5米,网袖间距平均为17.8米,     

Fish faunal and habitat analyses using trawls,camera sleds and submersibles in benthic deep-sea habitats off central California

Beam trawl, camera sled and submersible data from 2 000–3 300 m off central California produced similar fish faunal composition, but different density estimates. All species caught in trawls were observed in camera-sled and submersible observations. However, some rare species that were observed were not caught in trawls. The fish fauna was dominated by the families Macrouridae, Zoarcidae, Moridae, and Rajidae. Fishes both trawled and observed were the macrourids Coryphaenoides armatus, C. filifer and C. leptolepis; the zoarcids Bothrocara spp., Pachycara lepinium and Lycenchelys spp.; the morid Antimora microlepis; the rajid Bathyraja trachura, the ophidiid Spectrunculus grandis, and the liparidid Careproctus ovigerum. One unidentified liparidid (Paraliparis sp.) and two unidentified Lycenchelys spp. were trawled and may have been seen but also could not be identified to species from photographs. Observed only in photographs were the liparidids Paraliparis rosaceus and Careproctus melanurus, synodontid Bathysaurus mollis, and notocanthid Notacanthus chemnitzii. These three techniques differed in their ability to provide specimens for accurate identification, counts, and later life history (feeding habit, age and growth, and reproduction) studies, and to provide information on dispersion, habitat utilization, behavior and interactions. Accurate density estimates were undoubtedly hampered by trawl and camera sled avoidance, escape, and uncertainties concerning the area trawled. Camera sleds produced higher (and perhaps better) estimates of density. Submersible observations from the DSV Alvin produced a similar species list but little additional, quantitative information. Both visual techniques allowed habitat characterization, but no strong faunal associations with habitat types were observed.     

Mesopelagic nekton and associated physics of the southeastern Bering Sea

The mesopelagic community of fishes and squids are fundamental in the diet of apex predators, but in most cases their life histories and habitat requirements are poorly understood. In May 1999, a pilot study was conducted to identify mesopelagic nekton, describe dominant physical characteristics of their habitat, and compare their relative abundances over several study sites in the southeastern Bering Sea. Biological samples were collected at 250, 500, and 1000 m depths with an open pelagic rope trawl lined with 1.2-cm mesh in the codend. Net type, mesh size, and trawling techniques were designed to parallel those of extensive Russian research surveys in the western Bering Sea, permitting direct comparisons between study results. Forty-three species of fish and 15 species of cephalopods were identified, including a new species of gonatid squid and a range extension for Paraliparis paucidens, a snailfish never before observed in Alaskan waters. Faunal biomass was high with over 25,000 (1400 kg) fish and squid collected in only 13 trawls. Concentrations of fish in this area surpass published records from the western Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean by an order of magnitude, driven primarily by Leuroglossus schmidti, a deep-sea smelt. Generally, specimens were of high quality, and new size records were established for several species of fish and squid. The physical environment as determined from altimetry, satellite-tracked drifters, and water properties (temperature and salinity) was typical of the last decade for this area. Spatial patterns in species distribution were observed, but further research is needed to determine whether these are a factor of mesoscale variability or of habitat characteristics.     

Density,biomass and community structure of demersal fishes off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan

Demersal fish communities were studied on the lower continental shelf and the upper continental slope along the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. Species composition, number and weight of each species were examined based on otter trawl samples at 45 stations. Mean density and biomass of demersal fishes were 131 ha^–1 and 21 kg ha^–1, respectively. The ten most abundant species comprised of about 95% of total number and weight of overall catch indicating simple species composition. Gadiform fishesTheragra chalcogramma, Gadus macrocephalus andPhysiculus maximowiczi were the most important species by number, weight and frequency of occurrences, and three main community types represented by the three key species were recognized.Theragra-dominant community showed higher density and biomass, and lower diversity thanPhysiculus-dominant community did. Species diversity of demersal fish community was negatively correlated to density and biomass. Density and biomass of demersal fish community were high on the uppermost slope, and the high abundance resulted from low-diversity communities dominated byT. chalcogramma andG. macrocephalus.     

Towards a catchability constant for trawl surveys of Namibian hake

A trawl catches only a portion of the fish in its path. The term catchability therefore refers to the fraction of the available fish caught. A method was developed and tested to establish catchability constants for trawl surveys of Namibian hake Merluccius spp. A catchability constant can be expressed as a simple relationship between hake area densities calculated from trawl catches and acoustic biomass estimates. Initial values were on an order of magnitude of 0.8, meaning that the catch takes 80% of the hake available to the trawl. The methodology depends on careful area selection (flat bottom, homogenous fish distribution), following the same trawl lane during subsequent hauls in an area, and thorough acoustic post-processing. A pronounced and repetitive pattern in catchability within surface daylight hours was found. Early morning and early afternoon catches were low, and the best catches of the day were made around noon, a result that may influence stock assessments based on trawl data, because morning and afternoon data would under-represent actual abundance.     

Life history of the deep-sea cephalopod family Histioteuthidae in the western Mediterranean

The life cycle of the two species of the deep-sea family Histioteuthidae inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea (Histioteuthis reversa and Histioteuthis bonnellii) was studied from monthly samples taken throughout the year during daytime hours by bottom trawl gears. A small sample of individuals found floating dead on the sea surface was also analyzed. Both species were caught exclusively on the upper slope at depths greater than 300 m. Their frequency of occurrence increased with depth and showed two different peaks, at 500–600 m and 600–700 m depth in H. bonnellii and H. reversa, respectively, which might indicate spatial segregation. Maturity stages were assigned using macroscopic determination and confirmed with histological analyses. Although mature males were caught all year round, no mature females were found, which suggests that their sexual maturation in the western Mediterranean takes place deeper than the maximum depth sampled (800 m). In fact, the increase in mean squid size with increasing depth in H. reversa indicates an ontogenetic migration to deeper waters. The individuals of both species found floating dead on the sea surface were spent females which had a relatively large cluster of small atresic eggs and a small number of remaining mature eggs scattered in the ovary and mantle cavity. The sizes of these females were clearly larger than the largest individuals caught with bottom trawls. A total of 12 and 7 different types of prey, belonging to three major taxonomic groups (crustaceans, osteichthyes and cephalopods), were identified in the stomach contents of H. reversa and H. bonnellii, respectively. In both species fishes were by far the main prey followed by crustaceans, whereas cephalopods were found only occasionally. The preys identified, mainly myctophids and natantian crustaceans, indicate that both histioteuthids base their diet on pelagic nictemeral migrators.     

Depth-related distribution and abundance of seastars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Porcupine Seabight and Porcupine Abyssal Plain,N.E. Atlantic

The depth-related distribution of seastar (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) species between 150 and 4950 m in the Porcupine Seabight and Porcupine Abyssal Plain is described. 47 species of asteroid were identified from ∼14,000 individuals collected. The bathymetric range of each species is recorded. What are considered quantitative data, from an acoustically monitored epibenthic sledge and supplementary data from otter trawls, are used to display the relative abundance of individuals within their bathymetric range. Asteroid species are found to have very narrow centres of distribution in which they are abundant, despite much wider total adult depth ranges. Centres of distribution may be skewed. This might result from competition for resources or be related to the occurrence of favourable habitats at particular depths. The bathymetric distributions of the juveniles of some species extend outside the adult depth ranges. There is a distinct pattern of zonation with two major regions of faunal change and six distinct zones. An upper slope zone ranges from 150 to ∼700 m depth, an upper bathyal zone between 700 and 1100 m, a mid-bathyal zone from 1100 to1700 m and a lower bathyal zone between 1700 and 2500 m. Below 2500 m the lower continental slope and continental rise have a characteristic asteroid fauna. The abyssal zone starts at about 2800 m. Regions of major faunal change are identified at the boundaries of both upper and mid-bathyal zones and at the transition of bathyal to abyssal fauna. Diversity is greatest at ∼1800 m, decreasing with depth to ∼2600 m before increasing again to high levels at ∼4700 m.     

Comparison of anchovy biomass estimates measured by trawls,egg production methods and hydro-acoustics in the Chesapeake Bay and the Korea Strait

We compared estimates of anchovy biomass derived from trawl surveys, egg production method (EPM) and acoustic surveys, conducted in two remote regions. Biomass density of bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli was estimated in Chesapeake Bay, USA, by trawls, EPM and acoustics from 1989 to 2000. Biomass density of Pacific anchovy Engraulis japonicus was estimated in the Korea Strait using EPM, simulation-based daily cohort analysis and acoustics from 1984 to 2006. Most of the existing estimates already had considered body-size-dependent gear selectivity, highlyvariable instantaneous natural mortality of anchovy eggs, and avoidance of trawl nets by adult anchovy. Despite great variability in the ratio of trawl to acoustic biomass estimates (0.034–8.35), annually-averaged biomass density of young-ofthe-year individuals derived by the two methods were similar for bay anchovy in Chesapeake Bay and Pacific anchovy in the Korea Strait (0.83 and 0.70 g m^?3, respectively). Results suggested that, despite substantial uncertainty, anchovy biomass estimates are generally compatible between EPM and acoustics. However, reported estimates of biomass density derived from the two acoustic surveys in the Korea Strait differed by a factor of 28, suggesting that further improvements in calibrations are required to reliably estimate anchovy biomass. The comparisons suggested that all biomass estimates could be biased and will require comparison and validation by other, independent sampling methods.     

Effects of diel period and tow duration on estuarine fauna sampled with a beam trawl over bare sediment: Consequences for designing more reliable and efficient surveys

The effects of diel period and tow duration (5, 10 and 20 min) on samples of estuarine fauna in a beam trawl, were tested over bare sediment in Tuggerah Lake (New South Wales, Australia). Mean catch rates (numbers of fish caught 5 min⁻¹) were significantly larger at night for the total numbers of individuals and abundant, economically important species of fish and invertebrates (e.g. Gerres subfasciatus, Metapenaeus macleayi, Penaeus plebejus). Greater proportions of larger fish were also caught at night for some species (e.g. G. subfasciatus, Acanthopagrus australis, Rhabdosargus sarba), but not across all tow durations. Multivariate analyses detected dissimilarities in the composition and structure of assemblages between diel periods, which were driven by species caught predominately, or in larger proportions, at night. Short tows (5 min) were more efficient than longer tows (10 or 20 min) for sampling the diversity of species (i.e. most species were caught in the first 5 min of a tow). There were, however, no clear or consistent patterns relating to the effect of tow duration on the catch rates of other variables, the size ranges of abundant species, or the structure and composition of assemblages. Our data confirm that at night, bare sediment is an important habitat for a wide size- and species-range of estuarine fish and invertebrates. In future, more cost-effective and reliable information concerning these taxa would be achieved by sampling with the beam trawl at night, using tow durations of 5 min. We also highlight a problem inherent in the design of many studies of diel variation of fauna (i.e. the potential non-independence of data among day and night periods) and discuss its solution.     

Shell damage and mortality in the common whelk Buccinum undatum caused by beam trawl fishery

Common whelks Buccinum undatum collected from the southern North Sea were investigated to study the amount of shell damage and mortality caused by beam trawl fishery. The ability of whelks to repair their damaged shells was studied in the laboratory. Whelks (n=876) were caught with a fine-meshed 3-m beam trawl or with commercial 4- and 12-m beam trawls, while in some areas whelks were also caught with baited traps (used as a reference). Shell damage varied considerably for the different groups. In whelks collected by beam trawling, minor shell damage was observed in 17–75%, and severe damage (when protection against predators and scavengers is lost) in 10–83%. Whelks caught with baited traps sustained only minor shell damage (0–27% of the individuals). Their damage was statistically significantly less than in beam-trawled specimens. Most whelks in all groups exhibited signs of former shell damage, which had since been repaired. Whelk survival was studied in the laboratory over a six-week period. Only 40% of the whelks caught with the 12-m beam trawl survived, irrespective of the damage suffered. Whelks that survived and recovered had repaired their shell after six weeks. More than 95% of the whelks caught with baited traps survived the six-week experimental period; this is statistically significantly higher than the survival of animals caught with the 12-m beam trawl. At five locations females were screened for the presence and stage of imposex. Mild imposex development (mostly stages 1 and 2) was observed at all locations with incidences of 32–80%. It is concluded that beam trawl fishery may be a much greater source of mortality in common whelks than previously thought.     

Comparing the catch efficiency with different types of plankton nets in the high production zones of the Pacific Ocean

A comparison of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of zooplankton caught by five different types of plankton nets was performed on the basis of the data of plankton surveys in various high production zones of the Pacific Ocean (392 zooplankton samples) in order to determine conversion coefficients for a more adequate quantitative estimation of plankton. In epipelagic zones, both the abundance and biomass of zooplankton caught by a Juday net were practically everywhere higher as compared to those estimated with the use of JuOM and Norpak nets but lower than the values obtained with Bongo nets. For the sake of the comparison of the quantitative estimations with different nets, we suggest coefficients equal to the ratios of the zooplankton biomass from a Juday net to the biomasses from other nets: from 0.4 to 1.5 for the total biomass values and from 0.3 to 2.3 for individual groups of zooplankton. The coefficients applied at the TINRO to account for the plankton underhauling with big Juday nets are reasonable and reliable for most of the dominating groups except for chaetognats, which are twice overestimated.     

杭州湾海域春、秋季鱼类种类组成和数量分布

采用底层拖网法,用渔获率作为鱼类资源数量分布的指标,进行了杭州湾调查海域2012年5月(春季)、10月(秋季)2个季节的鱼类种类组成、区系特点、数量分布等研究。结果表明:(1)杭州湾海域春、秋两季共获得并鉴定出的鱼类有31种,隶属于9目15科,其中以石首鱼科和■虎鱼科的种类为最多,各有5种,分别占总种数的16.7%;鳀科鱼类次之,有4种,占总种数的13.3%,优势种有睛尾蝌蚪■虎鱼、龙头鱼、刀鲚、棘头梅童鱼;(2)根据鱼类适温性可将该海域的鱼类分为暖水性、暖温性和冷温性3种适温类型,以暖温性种类为主,暖水性种类次之,而冷温性种类极少,仅有1种;(3)根据其生态习性,可分为河口性、沿岸性和近海性3种生态类群;(4)渔获数量分布规律是春季在调查海域的内侧或者说中西部较高,而湾口较低,秋季则正好相反。     

Live (stained) benthic foraminifera in the Whittard Canyon, Celtic margin (NE Atlantic)

Living (Rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera were investigated at 18 deep-sea stations sampled in the Whittard Canyon area (NE Atlantic). The stations were positioned along 4 bathymetric transects ranging from 300 to 3000 m depth: two along the main canyon axes (Western and Eastern branches) and two along adjacent open slopes (Western and Eastern slopes). The aim of this study was to assess changes of foraminiferal standing stock, composition and microhabitat in relation to the physico-chemical conditions prevailing at and below the sediment-water interface in various canyon and open-slope environments. Minimal oxygen penetration depths and maximal diffusive oxygen uptakes were recorded at upper canyon stations, suggesting a high mineralisation rate. This is confirmed by the high phytopigment concentrations measured in the sediment of the upper canyon axes. Foraminiferal abundance was positively correlated with diffusive oxygen uptake and phytopigment concentration in the sediment. This suggests a control of organic matter fluxes on the foraminiferal communities. Foraminiferal abundance was generally higher along the canyon axis compared to open-slope sites at comparable water depths. The species composition varied with water depth along all four transects, but was also different between canyon branches and adjacent slopes. The silty/sandy intercalations at many of the deeper canyon stations may have been rapidly deposited by fairly recent gravity flows. At station 51WB (3002 m), the faunal characteristics (strong dominance, shallow infaunal microhabitats) suggest that the foraminiferal community is in an early state of ecosystem colonisation after these recent sedimentation events, which would have supplied the important amounts of phytopigments.     

Deep-water foraminifera communities of the Arctic Ocean

Sixteen foraminifera communities were distinguished on the basis of the quantitative analysis of the composition of the benthic foraminifera in the bottom sediments sampled at 254 stations at depths from 200 to 4411 m in the Arctic Ocean. The distribution of these communities is controlled by the environmental factors, which depend on the latitude and bathymetric zones of the Arctic Ocean, the currents, the water masses, and the content of calcium carbonate and organic carbon in the bottom water and in the sediments.