A Reverse Taxonomic Approach to Assess Macrofaunal Distribution Patterns in Abyssal Pacific Polymetallic Nodule Fields

摘要: Heightened interest in the exploitation of deep seafloor minerals is raising questions on consequences for resident fauna. Assessing species ranges and determination processes underlying current distributions are prerequisites to conservation planning predicting faunal responses changing environmental conditions. The abyssal central Pacific nodule belt, located between Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zones (CCZ), an area prospected mining polymetallic nodules. We examined variations genetic diversity broad-scale connectivity isopods polychaetes across CCZ. Faunal assemblages were studied from two claims (the eastern German French license areas) 1300 km apart influenced by different productivity regimes. Using a reverse taxonomy approach based DNA barcoding, we tested what extent distance large-scale changes parameters lead differentiation macrofaunal taxa exhibiting functions life-history patterns. A fragment mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1 (COI) was analyzed. At 97% threshold molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) corresponded well morphological species. Molecular analyses indicated high local regional mostly because large numbers singletons samples. Consequently, variation composition genotypic clusters sites exceedingly partly due paucity deep-sea sampling patchiness. higher proportion wide-ranging contrasted with restricted isopods. Remarkably, several cryptic lineages appeared be sympatric occurred putatively good dispersal abilities, whereas some brooding revealed broad Geographic could explain regions extent, while assumed capabilities not as important.