Maximising MEDITS: Using data collected from trawl surveys to characterise the benthic and demersal assemblages of the circalittoral and deeper waters around the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)

摘要: Data from MEDITS trawl surveys in the waters surrounding Maltese Islands were analysed to characterise benthic and demersal assemblages of central Mediterranean, which are only poorly known, hampering authorities meeting legislative obligations. A total 147 species 98 identified. These formed four well-defined assemblages, whose structure composition related depth. Total richness abundance both decreased with The most abundant structuring epibenthic characterised identified tall sea pen Funicularia quadrangularis (present at depths ca. 50–700 m), red Pennatula rubra (ca. 100–450 m), hydroids Lytocarpia myriophyllum 100–250 m) Nemertesia sp. 100–600), soft coral Alcyonium palmatum 100–400 m), anemone Actinauge richardi 100–600 m). results illustrate how, absence dedicated mapping studies, data can be used provide preliminary information that would not otherwise available.