Species replacement dominates megabenthos beta diversity in a remote seamount setting
Lissette Victorero1,2, Katleen Robert3,4, Laura F Robinson5
1National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom. lissette1901@hotmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|March 9, 2018
Summary
Seamounts host diverse deep-sea life, driven by species replacement more than richness changes. Depth, temperature, and water mass influence this biodiversity on Annan Seamount.
Area of Science:
- Deep-sea ecology
- Biodiversity research
- Oceanography
Background:
- Seamounts are recognized as deep-sea biodiversity hotspots.
- High productivity and landscape heterogeneity may drive species co-existence or turnover (beta diversity).
- Understanding drivers of beta diversity on individual seamounts is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the processes and drivers of beta diversity on Annan Seamount.
- Distinguish between species replacement and changes in species richness as components of beta diversity.
- Identify unique ecological sites and their associated environmental factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) video data.
- Collected oceanographic and quantitative terrain data along a depth gradient.
- Applied advanced beta diversity analyses to identify ecological patterns.
Main Results:
- Total beta diversity was high (0.92), dominated by species replacement (68%).
- Species replacement was influenced by depth, temperature, water mass, aspect, and local elevation.
- Species richness changes were primarily affected by water mass; abundance by water mass and substrate.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first detailed analysis of beta diversity components and drivers for seamount megabenthos.
- Identified key environmental factors shaping deep-sea biodiversity patterns on seamounts.
- Findings contribute to understanding and protecting regional deep-sea ecosystems.
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