Vertical distribution of megafauna on the Bering Sea slope based on ROV survey.

ABSTRACT: Video surveys were carried out during the 75th cruise of the RV Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev (June 2016) along the northern slope of the Volcanologists Massif, in the south-western Bering Sea. The seafloor was explored using the ROV Comanche 18. Seven dives were performed in the depth range from 4,278 m to 349 m. Overall, about 180 species of megafauna were recognised. Fifteen types of megafauna communities corresponding to certain depth ranges were distinguished based on the most abundant taxa. Dominance changed with depth in the following order: the holothurian Kolga kamchatica at the maximum depth (4,277-4,278 m); the holothurian Scotoplanes kurilensis at 3,610-2,790 m; the ophiuroid Ophiura bathybia at 3,030-2,910 m; benthic shrimps of the family Crangonidae at 2,910-2,290 m; the holothuri

SUBMITTER: Rybakova E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7058103 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature