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Patterns in polychaete abundance and diversity from the Madeira Abyssal Plain, northeast Atlantic

Patterns in polychaete abundance and diversity from the Madeira Abyssal Plain, northeast Atlantic
Patterns in polychaete abundance and diversity from the Madeira Abyssal Plain, northeast Atlantic
Polychaete abundance and diversity patterns from the Madeira Abyssal Plain (MAP) were studied together with data from three other sites on the northeastern Atlantic abyssal plains. Polychaete abundance at MAP was significantly lower than at any of the other sites, including those lying under comparable productivity regimes. Analysis of diversity, using rarefaction and species counts per unit area, suggests that MAP is extremely species poor and shows dominance by a few common species. The MAP site is characterised by a superficial layer of turbidite sediment, and the hypothesis is put forward that the unusual sediment characteristics at MAP have affected macrofaunal abundance over a vast area (>2000 km2). Analysis of species composition indicates that the MAP site is not faunistically unique; rather it contains a high proportion of widespread, abundant, cosmopolitan species. We suggest that these are the opportunists of the abyssal benthic habitat. Differences in abundance between the other abyssal sites are the result of both productivity and local environmental conditions. Equitability at the other north Atlantic sites is not affected by productivity, although the actual number of species per unit area is affected, showing a south–north gradient.
Deep sea, Polychaeta, Productivity, Turbidite, Biodiversity, Biogeography, Northeast Atlantic, Madeira Abyssal Plain
0967-0637
217-236
Glover, A.
31dd7ea2-17b9-47c4-866f-4be9b9a4a991
Paterson, G.
6aba0bb1-91ce-48ad-8a1c-08bb6762be05
Bett, B.
61342990-13be-45ae-9f5c-9540114335d9
Gage, J.
493fe9f1-ac31-4fa2-91e7-470262dab7e5
Sibuet, M.
bc54a19e-c793-4ab6-a824-cc55e10f42d8
Sheader, M.
fc6fc729-69bd-460d-846f-e2ba1c8e1b6b
Hawkins, L.
9c4d1845-82db-4305-acb5-31b218ac9c0e
Glover, A.
31dd7ea2-17b9-47c4-866f-4be9b9a4a991
Paterson, G.
6aba0bb1-91ce-48ad-8a1c-08bb6762be05
Bett, B.
61342990-13be-45ae-9f5c-9540114335d9
Gage, J.
493fe9f1-ac31-4fa2-91e7-470262dab7e5
Sibuet, M.
bc54a19e-c793-4ab6-a824-cc55e10f42d8
Sheader, M.
fc6fc729-69bd-460d-846f-e2ba1c8e1b6b
Hawkins, L.
9c4d1845-82db-4305-acb5-31b218ac9c0e

Glover, A., Paterson, G., Bett, B., Gage, J., Sibuet, M., Sheader, M. and Hawkins, L. (2001) Patterns in polychaete abundance and diversity from the Madeira Abyssal Plain, northeast Atlantic. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 48 (1), 217-236. (doi:10.1016/S0967-0637(00)00053-4).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Polychaete abundance and diversity patterns from the Madeira Abyssal Plain (MAP) were studied together with data from three other sites on the northeastern Atlantic abyssal plains. Polychaete abundance at MAP was significantly lower than at any of the other sites, including those lying under comparable productivity regimes. Analysis of diversity, using rarefaction and species counts per unit area, suggests that MAP is extremely species poor and shows dominance by a few common species. The MAP site is characterised by a superficial layer of turbidite sediment, and the hypothesis is put forward that the unusual sediment characteristics at MAP have affected macrofaunal abundance over a vast area (>2000 km2). Analysis of species composition indicates that the MAP site is not faunistically unique; rather it contains a high proportion of widespread, abundant, cosmopolitan species. We suggest that these are the opportunists of the abyssal benthic habitat. Differences in abundance between the other abyssal sites are the result of both productivity and local environmental conditions. Equitability at the other north Atlantic sites is not affected by productivity, although the actual number of species per unit area is affected, showing a south–north gradient.

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More information

Published date: 2001
Keywords: Deep sea, Polychaeta, Productivity, Turbidite, Biodiversity, Biogeography, Northeast Atlantic, Madeira Abyssal Plain

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 1361
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/1361
ISSN: 0967-0637
PURE UUID: 86cf2339-21c8-4e2e-96c8-e404fab67eee
ORCID for L. Hawkins: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9236-2396

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 16 Apr 2004
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:36

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Contributors

Author: A. Glover
Author: G. Paterson
Author: B. Bett
Author: J. Gage
Author: M. Sibuet
Author: M. Sheader
Author: L. Hawkins ORCID iD

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