Macrobenthos of the deep, northern Gulf of Mexico have been sampled with
large box cores along multiple cross-depth transects extending from depths of 200 m out
to 3700 m. Four major depth zones have been identified based on the faunal similarities
(beta diversity) between geographic sites, with the two intermediate-depth zones being
divided horizontally down the middle of the basin. The input of food resources appears
to control the observed patterns. Each zone and sub-zone can be described by a
characteristic animal density, biomass and biodiversity (alpha diversity). Highest densities
and biomass occurred in two large submarine canyons, the Mississippi and De Soto
Canyon, but the two habitats are markedly different. The alpha diversity displays an
intermediate depth maximum. Species richness (gamma diversity) is highest on east mid-slope,
due, we suggest, to habitat complexity, but alpha diversity is lowest at the canyon head due
to extreme dominance by amphipods. Small mean individual size and low densities
encountered are a reflection of the meager surface water primary production, albeit with
exceptional isolated habitats in which detrital material is concentrated, such as canyons
on the upper continental slope.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/4927 |
| Date | 25 April 2007 |
| Creators | Wei, Chih-Lin |
| Contributors | Rowe, Gilbert T. |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text |
| Format | 1483803 bytes, electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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