Amphipods in sediment traps of the eastern Fram Strait with focus on the life-history of the lysianassoid Cyclocaris guilelmi

Life-cycle characteristics of the free-swimming lysianassoid amphipod Cyclocaris guilelmi were investigated and compared to those of other regularly appearing amphipods in the Arctic deep-sea community. In this context we analysed time-series data of meso- and bathypelagic amphipods collected as swimmers in moored sediment traps from 2004 to 2008 at the deep-sea long-term observatory HAUSGARTEN (79°N/4°E) in the eastern Fram Strait, Arctic Ocean. Six mesopelagic and three bathypelagic deep-sea amphipod species regularly occurred in the traps. The lysianassoid C. guilelmi showed a stable interannual population size and seasonal peaks in its occurrence from August to February during the five-year sampling period. The investigation of its population structure and reproduction ecology indicated year-round breeding behavior of this species. Up to 4 cohorts consisting mainly of juvenile and female C. guilelmi were observed. We conclude that C. guilelmi plays an important role within the Arctic amphipod deep water community.

► We show long-term data of meso- and bathypelagic amphipods in the Fram Strait.
► Cyclocaris guilelmi is an important member within the Arctic amphipod deep-sea community.
► Cyclocaris guilelmi shows a consistent appearance from 2004 to 2008.
► Cyclocaris guilelmi seems to perform a year-round reproduction.