Assemblages of Harpacticoida (Crustacea: Copepoda) from the Ryukyu and Kuril Trenches, north-west Pacific Ocean

• DOI: 10.1017/s0025315411001536
• Publication Date: 2011-10-06T10:59:15Z
• Authors: Tomo Kitahashi; Kiichiro Kawamura; Gritta Veit-Köhler; Roberto Danovaro; John Tietjen; Shigeaki Kojima; Motohiro Shimanaga
• Keywords: Abyssal zone; Harpacticoida; Abyssal plain

To examine the specific features of trench communities, spatial changes in assemblages harpacticoids were investigated at family level around Ryukyu Trench (the region) and Kuril region). In region, there high average dissimilarities harpacticoid among trench, slope abyssal plain, indicating that assemblage structures differ substantially between these topographic settings level. Conversely, plain lower than plain. This result suggests hadal is a transition zone this region. addition, analyses indicate composition influenced by quantity organic matter while sediment properties play key role Comparisons two regions, however, revealed trenches plains higher adjacent slopes. interchange regions difficult for deep-sea benthic animals, including copepods, likely due to presence physical barriers trenches.