<i>Atlantis</i> II Cruise: uniformity of deep copepod assemblages in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Studies of the community structure and biomass of deep copepods below 500 m from R/V Atlantis II cruises AII49 and AII59 in May–June 1969 and September–October 1970 denote uniformity in deep assemblages among all major Mediterranean subregions. Of the 65 copepod species recorded from 600–2500 m, 45 were common for both Western and Eastern basins Eight of these species were dominant for all deep Mediterranean waters, comprising 77% of the deep plankton population The uniformity of deep copepod assemblages was confirmed by the Mantel test applied to a simulated sampling procedure Only in terms of biomass did Western and Eastern basins show appreciable regional differences with highest values for density and volume characterizing Western stations