Trophic control of benthic foraminiferal abundance and microhabitat in the bathyal Gulf of Lions, western Mediterranean Sea

摘要: Surface sediment was sampled at two bathyal sites in the southwestern Gulf of Lions western Mediterranean Sea February and August 1997 to study distribution microhabitat living (Rose Bengal stained) deep sea benthic foraminifera. Both standing stock diversity faunas, distinct species mirror trophic situation depth oxidised layer different sites. Our results suggest that faunas do not comprise highly opportunistic are adapted rather stable environments. In axial channel Lacaze-Duthiers Canyon, organic matter fluxes enhanced due advective transport resulting elevated oxygen consumption rates surface a thin layer. The corresponding foraminiferal fauna is characterised by high diversity, well-developed infauna. addition freshly deposited phytodetritus, more degraded seems be an important food source. contrast, open slope, lower much thicker than inside canyon. comprises mainly epifaunal shallow-infaunal with stocks clear differences between August. higher average depths most shift towards surface. These can attributed patchiness or represent seasonal signal.