Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8884246 | Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers | 2018 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
The Rio Grande Rise (RGR) is a large and geomorphologically complex structure of the deep SW Atlantic Ocean. In 2013, the 600â1200â¯m deep plateau of the most prominent topographic component of the RGR (named Alpha) was explored during two dives of the manned submersible Shinkai 6500 (30°22â²15â²â²S ââ¯36°02â²02â²â²W and 31°05â²58â²â²S ââ¯34°02â²40â²â²W). Video profiles recorded during these dives were analyzed for description of benthopelagic megafauna (fish and crustaceans) assemblages, and quantitative assessment of structuring factors (depth, topography and habitat types). Fishes represented over 92% (462) of all benthopelagic megafauna, divided into 11 orders and 17 families. Over half of fish records were Macrouridae, Synaphobranchidae and Chaunacidae. Megafauna abundance varied at different spatial scales, being higher in shallower habitats (~600â¯m) dominated by branched suspension feeders (mostly sponges and cnidarians). Beta-diversity and community structure were related to habitat diversity. Because the RGR is vast and may comprise numerous distinctive habitats associated with depth, topography and water mass dynamics, fauna diversity may be high and patchy.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Geology
Authors
Jose Angel Alvarez Perez, Hiroshi Kitazato, Paulo Yukio Gomes Sumida, Rodrigo Sant'Ana, Angélica Maffini Mastella,