Evidence for long-range chemoreceptive tracking of food odour in deep-sea scavengers by scanning sonar data

摘要: Abstract There is much speculation about chemoreception being involved in food-finding strategies of deep-sea scavengers the literature (Dahl, 1979; Meador, 1981; Busdosh et al., 1982; Sainte-Marie, 1992). Most these ideas have emerged from analysing time-lapse photographs and video recordings bait deployments deep sea (Thurston, Lampitt 1983; Hargrave, 1985; Priede 1990). However, optical instruments considerable restrictions spatial coverage, thus all past efforts determining any directionality appearance been limited 0.9 to 4 m 2 only (Smith, Wilson Smith, 1984). In this work, we present data obtained by using a scanning sonar system (SSS) which allows detection single objects larger than cm at maximum distance 50 horizontal plane. Together with SSS, baited camera attached free falling lander was used Arctic two locations Fram Strait 2500 water depths. We would like point out that combination acoustical measurements allowed, for first time, long-range approaching scavenging amphipods sea. Eurythenes gryllus (Lichtenstein, 1822), cosmopolitan amphipod, recorded attend our experiments 618 individuals arrival 12 min after deployment, one fastest arrivals ever observed. found significant temporal correlation between integrated backscatter energy (IBE), based on SSS amphipod counted photographs.