Megafaunal-habitat associations at a deep-sea coral mound off North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Deep-sea corals provide important habitat for many organisms; however, the extent to which Wshes and other invertebrates are aYliated with corals or other physical variables is uncertain. The Cape Fear coral mound oV North Carolina, USA (366-463 m depth, 33° 34.4ЈN, 76°2 7.8ЈW) was surveyed using multibeam sonar and the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible. Multibeam bathymetric data (2006) were coupled with in situ video data (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005) to deWne habitat associations of 14 dominant megafauna at two spatial scales. Results suggested greater habitat speciWcity of deep-reef fauna than previously documented, with Wshes showing greater aYnity for certain habitat characteristics than most invertebrates. High vertical proWle, degree of coral coverage, and topographic complexity inXuenced distributions of several species, including Beryx decadactylus, Conger oceanicus, and Novodinia antillensis on the smaller scale (30 £ 30 m). On the broad scale (170 £ 170 m), several suspension feeders (e.g., N. antillensis, anemones), detritivores (Echinus spp.), and mesopelagic feeders (e.g., Beryx decadactylus, Eumunida picta) were most often found on the south-southwest facing slope near the top of the mound. Transient reef species, including Laemonema barbatulum and Helicolenus dactylopterus, had limited aYliations to topographic complexity and were most often on the mound slope and base. Megafauna at deep-water reefs behave much like shallow-water reef fauna, with some species strongly associated with certain Wne-scale habitat attributes, whereas other species are habitat generalists. Documenting the degree of habitat specialization is important for understanding habitat functionality, predicting faunal distributions, and assessing the impacts of disturbance on deep-reef megafauna.

Demersal fish distribution and habitat use within and near Baltimore and Norfolk Canyons, U.S. middle Atlantic slope

“…Although fish habitat association data continue to be lacking in the deep-sea (especially > 1000 m), emerging evidence suggests that fish associations with complex habitat on the mid to upper slope (< ~1000 m) can range from seemingly obligate (this study; Ross and Quattrini 2007;Quattrini et al 2012) to more opportunistic (this study; Costello et al 2005;Auster 2005;Baker et al 2012;Kutti et al 2014) to highly variable or not detectable (Biber et al 2014). Degree of associations may vary by region; however, in most areas of the slope there is an affinity for complex habitats, which may be expressed as differences in species composition, abundance patterns or both.…”

“…ROV dive tracks were initially processed to conservatively remove erroneous tracking data (location points) as described by Quattrini et al (2012). Video analysis to determine fish community structure and habitat associations was accomplished much as described in Ross and Quattrini (2007).…”

“…Thus, canyons promote reef-like habitats which may represent significant habitat resources in this region for fauna requiring or preferring rugged substrata. The degree of fidelity or functional relationships with complex habitats (e.g., deep-sea corals and sponges, rocks, cliffs) is often unclear for deep-sea fishes (e.g., Roberts et al 2009;Young 2009;Quattrini et al 2012). Certain fishes are strongly or uniquely associated with deep-reef habitats (including shipwrecks) off the southeastern US and in the Gulf of Mexico Quattrini 2007, 2009; Sulak et al 2007).…”

Benthic megafauna on steep slopes at the Northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge

“…; Quattrini et al . ; Beazley et al . ) without investigating how their physical habitat controls their characteristics (Schneider et al .…”

Environmental Impacts of the Deep-Water Oil and Gas Industry: A Review to Guide Management Strategies

“…These habitats attract conservation attention because they are localized (sensu Bergquist et al, 2003), structurally complex Cordes et al, 2008), and contain high primary (seeps) and secondary (corals) productivity, relatively high biomass, and large-sized organisms (Sibuet and Olu, 1998;Bergquist et al, 2003;Cordes et al, 2003). The foundation species in these communities are very longlived, even compared to other deep-sea fauna (McClain et al, 2012), and support a diverse community including some endemic species (Cordes et al, 2009;Quattrini et al, 2012). The infaunal and mobile fauna that live on the periphery of these sites are also distinct from the fauna in the background deep sea, both in terms of diversity and abundance (Demopoulos et al, 2010), and also deserve consideration for protection (Levin et al, 2016).…”