MEGAFAUNA FROM SUBLITTORAL TO ABYSSAL DEPTHS ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE SOUTH OF ICELAND

101 species were identified from 102 biological samples obtained betwe en 225 and 2600 m depth on the Reykjanes Ridge, extending the biogeogr aphic records for several species. Multivariate analysis of between-sa mple species similarity reveals a two-zone bathymetric faunal distribu tion with the transition at 800-1000 m. A hydrographic survey of the r idge axis suggests that this faunal zonation is influenced by the wate r mass structure. Despite the limitations of a sampling programme not designed a priori for biological sampling, the recovery and preservati on of the samples and the insight that they provide serves to reinforc e that every effort should be made to capitalise on the opportunities for obtaining samples afforded by non-biological sampling programmes.