Jtp. Copley et al., MEGAFAUNA FROM SUBLITTORAL TO ABYSSAL DEPTHS ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE SOUTH OF ICELAND, Oceanologica acta, 19(5), 1996, pp. 549-559
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.