Dense aggregations of three deep-sea holothurians in the southern Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Gutt, J.; Piepenburg, D. (1991). Dense aggregations of three deep-sea holothurians in the southern Weddell Sea, Antarctica. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 68: 277-285
Spatial distribution patterns of elasipod holothurians from the southern Weddell Sea were studied by analysing underwater photographs and trawl-catch data from 7 stations, ranging in depth from 240 to 1200 m. The 3 investigated species (Elpidia glacialis, Achlyonice violaecuspidata, Scotoplanes globosa) occurred in dense aggregations of differing spatial scale. For the first 2 species, median photographically determined densities within the patches were 17 and 6 ind. m-2 respectively. The size frequency distributions of all species were relatively broad. A behavioural communication between individuals assuring the formation and persistence of these aggregations is proposed.
Dataset
Piepenburg D, Gutt J, Voß J (2014) Asteroids, ophiuroids and holothurians from the South-Eastern Weddell Sea (Southern Ocean). AntaBIF dataset, more
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