Reprint of “Deep epibenthic communities in two contrasting areas of the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean)”

摘要: Abstract Epibenthic communities were studied in two areas, off western and southern Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Mediterranean), which differ the oceanographic conditions show different degrees of oligotrophy. Sampling was performed with beam trawl at seasons (December 2009 July 2010) depths between 228 900 m. A total 199 taxa identified, most diverse decapod crustaceans fishes. Depth main factor structuring megafaunal assemblages. In shelf break shrimps Plesionika heterocarpus, P. antigai, Processa nouveli canaliculata dominant. upper slope, acanthonotus, Boreomysis arctica, Gaidropsarus biscayensis Aristeus antennatus species that contributed to group formation, whereas middle slope acanthonotus Munida tenuimana dominated. Specific abundances relatively low everywhere. Diversity H′ values ranged from 2.19 3.17, being higher Soller. Using abundance data, significant differences identified concerning both area season strata, while no found stratum. The analysis functional groups showed depth had a effect on their differential distribution.