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Subannual temporal variation in faunal distributions at the TAG hydrothermal mound (26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

Subannual temporal variation in faunal distributions at the TAG hydrothermal mound (26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge)
Subannual temporal variation in faunal distributions at the TAG hydrothermal mound (26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

This paper evaluates the dynamics of two faunal assemblages colonizing high- and low-temperature habitats of the TAG hydrothermal mound on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Timelapse video and photographic transects were used to monitor changes in shrimp and anemone populations from June 1994 to March 1995. During this period, holes were drilled in the vicinity of the target populations by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). The a priori expectation of a rapid redistribution of motile alvinocaridid shrimp to occupy the optimal thermal and chemical habitat in response to changes in the pattern of hydrothermal activity was met by the observation of an increase in hydrothermal activity and shrimp population density at the site where a timelapse video system was deployed. The importance of hydrothermal activity as a control on the distribution of vent shrimp is suggested by tidal variations in the distribution of shrimp on a minidiffuser chimney. Sediment deposition during ODP drilling resulted in a temporary disturbance of the shrimp occupying the flat part of the mound surface seen by the timelapse video. In contrast to the changes observed in shrimp distribution, little change was observed in the distribution of anemones across the mound in two photographic transects 10 months apart, with the exception of a localized disturbance where anemones were buried by sediment around an ODP hole. Differences in the response of the shrimp and anemones to changes in the hydrothermal system may result from differences in their motility and rates of biological activity, or reflect a lower trophic position in the case of the shrimp.

Hydrothermal vents, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Rimicaris exoculata, Temporal variation
0173-9565
291-306
Copley, Jonathan T.P.
5f30e2a6-76c1-4150-9a42-dcfb8f5788ef
Tyler, Paul A.
d1965388-38cc-4c1d-9217-d59dba4dd7f8
Van Dover, Cindy L.
ae91402f-83d9-462c-98c8-b699cee716ea
Schultz, Adam
8bb26eda-05c4-4729-8591-faace7910bb4
Dickson, Penny
11703daf-19f2-434f-97f2-57ff7bfd3261
Singh, Sandipa
f2f650f7-7259-4320-b071-41dbabff1eba
Sulanowska, Margaret
e8608dfd-9fd0-425b-bc75-6c44ba24f057
Copley, Jonathan T.P.
5f30e2a6-76c1-4150-9a42-dcfb8f5788ef
Tyler, Paul A.
d1965388-38cc-4c1d-9217-d59dba4dd7f8
Van Dover, Cindy L.
ae91402f-83d9-462c-98c8-b699cee716ea
Schultz, Adam
8bb26eda-05c4-4729-8591-faace7910bb4
Dickson, Penny
11703daf-19f2-434f-97f2-57ff7bfd3261
Singh, Sandipa
f2f650f7-7259-4320-b071-41dbabff1eba
Sulanowska, Margaret
e8608dfd-9fd0-425b-bc75-6c44ba24f057

Copley, Jonathan T.P., Tyler, Paul A., Van Dover, Cindy L., Schultz, Adam, Dickson, Penny, Singh, Sandipa and Sulanowska, Margaret (1999) Subannual temporal variation in faunal distributions at the TAG hydrothermal mound (26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge). Marine Ecology, 20 (3-4), 291-306. (doi:10.1046/j.1439-0485.1999.2034076.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper evaluates the dynamics of two faunal assemblages colonizing high- and low-temperature habitats of the TAG hydrothermal mound on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Timelapse video and photographic transects were used to monitor changes in shrimp and anemone populations from June 1994 to March 1995. During this period, holes were drilled in the vicinity of the target populations by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). The a priori expectation of a rapid redistribution of motile alvinocaridid shrimp to occupy the optimal thermal and chemical habitat in response to changes in the pattern of hydrothermal activity was met by the observation of an increase in hydrothermal activity and shrimp population density at the site where a timelapse video system was deployed. The importance of hydrothermal activity as a control on the distribution of vent shrimp is suggested by tidal variations in the distribution of shrimp on a minidiffuser chimney. Sediment deposition during ODP drilling resulted in a temporary disturbance of the shrimp occupying the flat part of the mound surface seen by the timelapse video. In contrast to the changes observed in shrimp distribution, little change was observed in the distribution of anemones across the mound in two photographic transects 10 months apart, with the exception of a localized disturbance where anemones were buried by sediment around an ODP hole. Differences in the response of the shrimp and anemones to changes in the hydrothermal system may result from differences in their motility and rates of biological activity, or reflect a lower trophic position in the case of the shrimp.

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More information

Published date: 1 December 1999
Keywords: Hydrothermal vents, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Rimicaris exoculata, Temporal variation

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 445332
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/445332
ISSN: 0173-9565
PURE UUID: 5c07b7ff-fb47-47e6-bce6-8d170b9ee512
ORCID for Jonathan T.P. Copley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3333-4325

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 02 Dec 2020 17:32
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 02:41

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Contributors

Author: Paul A. Tyler
Author: Cindy L. Van Dover
Author: Adam Schultz
Author: Penny Dickson
Author: Sandipa Singh
Author: Margaret Sulanowska

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