Local changes in the composition and community structure of suprabenthic peracarid crustaceans on the bathyal Mediterranean: Influence of environmental factors

Deep-water assemblages of suprabenthic peracarids were analyzed in the SW Balearic Islands (Algerian Basin, southwestern Mediterranean) between 249 and 1,622 m depth; the patterns of species composition, possible zonation, and trophic structure found in this area were compared with those exhibited by peracarids in the mainland side of the Catalan Sea slope (northwestern Mediterranean). One hundred and four peracarid species (plus one leptostracan) were identified on the Balearic Islands slope, amphipods being the most diversified taxon (45 species). On the Balearic slope, two distinct depth assemblages were distinguished: one at the upper slope (US), between 249 and 402 m depth and the second at the deep slope, between 543 and 1,620 m depth. A remarkable species substitution occurred at depths between 402 and 638 m. In the Catalan Sea, in addition to the US assemblage occupying depths between 208 and 408 m, a second boundary of faunal change was found around 1,250 m. Suprabenthos biomass increased from 242 to approximately 500 m. Suprabenthos attained the highest biomass values (100 g wet weight/10,000 m2) at intermediate depths between 504 and 1,211 m, as also occurred with the associated zooplankton collected with suprabenthos (peak biomass between 502 m and 898 m). Suprabenthos biomass did not show any significant correlation with any environmental water-column variable. In contrast, zooplankton (especially small fish and decapod crustaceans) showed a significant positive correlation with fluorometry and turbidity at different levels of the water column. The feeding guilds of species showed important differences between the two areas only on the US, with a higher abundance of deposit feeders in the Catalan Sea (20.4%) than in the Balearic Islands (4.2%). The low contribution of deposit feeders in the SW Balearic Islands may ultimately be a consequence of the lack of river discharges in this area.The authors are grateful for the assistance provided by all the participants of the research project Deep-Sea Fisheries (reference FAIR-CT95-0655)(0371/II) during cruises. The first author benefitted from a Ramón y Cajal contract (MCYT, call 2001)Peer Reviewe