Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 May 11:(5):e11794.
doi: 10.3897/BDJ.5.e11794. eCollection 2017.

Megafauna of the UKSRL exploration contract area and eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean: Echinodermata

Affiliations

Megafauna of the UKSRL exploration contract area and eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean: Echinodermata

Diva J Amon et al. Biodivers Data J. .

Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in mining polymetallic nodules from the abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Despite being the focus of environmental studies for decades, the benthic megafauna of the CCZ remain poorly known. In order to predict and manage the environmental impacts of mining in the CCZ, baseline knowledge of the megafauna is essential. The ABYSSLINE Project has conducted benthic biological baseline surveys in the UK Seabed Resources Ltd polymetallic-nodule exploration contract area (UK-1). Prior to these research cruises in 2013 and 2015, no biological studies had been done in this area of the eastern CCZ.

New information: Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, the megafauna within the UKSRL exploration contract area (UK-1) and at a site ~250 km east of the UK-1 area were surveyed, allowing us to make the first estimates of megafaunal morphospecies richness from the imagery collected. Here, we present an atlas of the abyssal echinoderm megafauna observed and collected during the ABYSSLINE cruises to the UK-1 polymetallic-nodule exploration contract area in the CCZ. There appear to be at least 62 distinct morphospecies (13 Asteroidea, 5 Crinoidea, 9 Echinoidea, 29 Holothuroidea and 6 Ophiuroidea) identified mostly by imagery but also using molecular barcoding for a limited number of animals that were collected. This atlas will aid the synthesis of megafaunal presence/absence data collected by contractors, scientists and other stakeholders undertaking work in the CCZ, ultimately helping to decipher the biogeography of the megafauna in this threatened habitat.

Keywords: Clarion-Clipperton Zone; atlas; deep-sea mining; echinoderm; megafauna; polymetallic nodule.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Locations of megafaunal surveys during the ABYSSLINE cruises, AB01 and AB02, in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. (a) The location of the UKSRL exploration contract area (UK-1) in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (b) The locations of the 30x30-km survey areas, UK-1 Stratum A and UK-1 Stratum B, in relation to the UK-1 exploration contract area and the AB01 ROV dive site, EPIRB, which was approximately 250 km east of the UK-1 contract area. (c) The locations of ROV dives within UK-1 Stratum A, indicated by purple tracklines labelled with the dive number (e.g. RV01). Stations where samples were collected with a Brenke epibenthic sled (EB04) and megacorer (MC10) are also indicated. (d) The locations of AUV dives within UK-1 Stratum B, indicated by purple tracklines labelled with the dive number (e.g. AV01). Stations where samples were collected with a Brenke epibenthic sled (EB02), box corer (BC02, BC19) and megacorer (MC17, MC25) are also indicated, as well as where imagery was collected with a baited camera (CA02). All maps were created by Seafloor Investigations Ltd for the ABYSSLINE Project using ArcGIS software (https://www.arcgis.com/features/).
Figure 2a.
Figure 2a.
cf. Freyella morphospecies attached to dead sponge stalk. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 2b.
Figure 2b.
cf. Freyella morphospecies attached to dead sponge stalk. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 2c.
Figure 2c.
cf. Freyella morphospecies attached to a live sponge. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 2d.
Figure 2d.
cf. Freyella morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 3a.
Figure 3a.
Freyastera cf. benthophila in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 3b.
Figure 3b.
Freyastera cf. benthophila attached to a polymetallic nodule on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 3c.
Figure 3c.
Freyastera cf. benthophila attached to dead stalk regenerating sixth arm. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 3d.
Figure 3d.
Tentacle of Freyastera cf. benthophila only partly recovered. Scale bar is 2 cm. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
cf. Paxillosida morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
cf. Paxillosida morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
cf. Paxillosida morphospecies 3 observed in situ on sponge on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 7a.
Figure 7a.
cf. Porcellanasteridae morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 7b.
Figure 7b.
cf. Porcellanasteridae morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 8a.
Figure 8a.
cf. Porcellanaster morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 8b.
Figure 8b.
cf. Porcellanaster morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Porcellanaster ceruleus after collection from the UK-1 exploration contract area. Aboral view on left and oral view on right. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 10a.
Figure 10a.
Aboral view of Styracaster paucispinus after collection. The pink dots on the specimen are parasites. Scale bar is 1 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith.
Figure 10b.
Figure 10b.
Oral view of Styracaster paucispinus after collection. Scale bar is 1 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith.
Figure 11a.
Figure 11a.
cf. Pterasteridae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 11b.
Figure 11b.
cf. Pterasteridae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 12.
Figure 12.
cf. Pterasteridae morphospecies 2 observed in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 13.
Figure 13.
cf. Hymenaster morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 14a.
Figure 14a.
Side view of cf. Hymenaster morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 14b.
Figure 14b.
Aboral view of cf. Hymenaster morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 15a.
Figure 15a.
cf. Comatulida morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 15b.
Figure 15b.
cf. Comatulida morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 16a.
Figure 16a.
cf. Comatulida morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 16b.
Figure 16b.
cf. Comatulida morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 17a.
Figure 17a.
Bathycrinus cf. equatorialis in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 17b.
Figure 17b.
Bathycrinus cf. equatorialis in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 18.
Figure 18.
cf. Hyocrinidae morphospecies in situ on seafloor in the eastern CCZ. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 19a.
Figure 19a.
Hyocrinus cf. foelli in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 19b.
Figure 19b.
Hyocrinus cf. foelli in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 20a.
Figure 20a.
cf. Echinoidea morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 20b.
Figure 20b.
cf. Echinoidea morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 21.
Figure 21.
cf. Echinoidea morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 22a.
Figure 22a.
cf. Aspidodiadematidae morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 22b.
Figure 22b.
cf. Aspidodiadematidae morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 23.
Figure 23.
cf. Holasteroida morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 24a.
Figure 24a.
cf. Holasteroida morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 24b.
Figure 24b.
cf. Holasteroida morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 25.
Figure 25.
cf. Cystocrepis morphospecies in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 26a.
Figure 26a.
cf. Echinocrepis morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 26b.
Figure 26b.
cf. Echinocrepis morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 26c.
Figure 26c.
cf. Echinocrepis morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 27.
Figure 27.
cf. Urechinidae morphospecies in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 28a.
Figure 28a.
Aceste ovata in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith.
Figure 28b.
Figure 28b.
Aboral view of Aceste ovata after collection. Scale bar is 1 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith.
Figure 28c.
Figure 28c.
Oral view of Aceste ovata after collection. Scale bar is 1 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith.
Figure 29a.
Figure 29a.
cf. Mesothuria morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 29b.
Figure 29b.
cf. Mesothuria morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 30a.
Figure 30a.
cf. Synallactidae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 30b.
Figure 30b.
cf. Synallactidae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 30c.
Figure 30c.
cf. Synallactidae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 31.
Figure 31.
cf. Synallactidae morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 32a.
Figure 32a.
cf. Molpadiodemas morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 32b.
Figure 32b.
cf. Molpadiodemas morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 32c.
Figure 32c.
cf. Molpadiodemas morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 32d.
Figure 32d.
cf. Molpadiodemas morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 33.
Figure 33.
Two cf. Paroriza morphospecies specimens (likely male and female) in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 34a.
Figure 34a.
cf. Pseudostichopus morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 34b.
Figure 34b.
cf. Pseudostichopus morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 34c.
Figure 34c.
cf. Pseudostichopus morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35a.
Figure 35a.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35b.
Figure 35b.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35c.
Figure 35c.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 36a.
Figure 36a.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 36b.
Figure 36b.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 37a.
Figure 37a.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 3 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 37b.
Figure 37b.
cf. Synallactes morphospecies 3 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 38a.
Figure 38a.
cf. Deimatidae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 38b.
Figure 38b.
cf. Deimatidae morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 5 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 39.
Figure 39.
cf. Deimatidae morphospecies 2 observed in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 40a.
Figure 40a.
Deima cf. validum in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 40b.
Figure 40b.
Deima cf. validum in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 41a.
Figure 41a.
cf. Oneirophanta morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 41b.
Figure 41b.
cf. Oneirophanta morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 42.
Figure 42.
cf. Elpidiidae morphospecies 1 observed in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 43.
Figure 43.
cf. Elpidiidae morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 44a.
Figure 44a.
cf. Amperima morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 44b.
Figure 44b.
cf. Amperima morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 45.
Figure 45.
cf. Peniagone morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 46a.
Figure 46a.
cf. Peniagone morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 46b.
Figure 46b.
cf. Peniagone morphospecies 2 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 47.
Figure 47.
Peniagone cf. leander in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 48.
Figure 48.
cf. Laetmogonidae morphospecies in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 49a.
Figure 49a.
Psychronaetes cf. hanseni in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 49b.
Figure 49b.
Psychronaetes cf. hanseni in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 50.
Figure 50.
cf. Enypniastes morphospecies observed in situ on seafloor the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai'i.
Figure 51a.
Figure 51a.
cf. Psychropotidae morphospecies (young specimen) in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 51b.
Figure 51b.
cf. Psychropotidae morphospecies (young specimen) in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 52a.
Figure 52a.
cf. Benthodytes morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 52b.
Figure 52b.
cf. Benthodytes morphospecies 1 in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 53.
Figure 53.
cf. Benthodytes morphospecies 2 (young specimen) in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 54a.
Figure 54a.
Benthodytes cf. incerta in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 54b.
Figure 54b.
Benthodytes cf. incerta in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 54c.
Figure 54c.
Benthodytes cf. incerta in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 55a.
Figure 55a.
Benthodytes cf. typica in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 55b.
Figure 55b.
Benthodytes cf. typica in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 55c.
Figure 55c.
Benthodytes cf. typica in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 55d.
Figure 55d.
Benthodytes cf. typica after collection. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 56a.
Figure 56a.
Psychropotes semperiana in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 56b.
Figure 56b.
Psychropotes cf. semperiana in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 56c.
Figure 56c.
Psychropotes cf. semperiana in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 56d.
Figure 56d.
Psychropotes cf. semperiana in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 57.
Figure 57.
Psychropotes cf. verrucosa in situ on seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 58a.
Figure 58a.
cf. Ophiuroidea morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 58b.
Figure 58b.
cf. Ophiuroidea morphospecies (left) and an unidentified ophiuroid (right) in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 58c.
Figure 58c.
cf. Ophiuroidea morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 59a.
Figure 59a.
Amphioplus (Unioplus) daleus after collection. Scale bar is 1 cm. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 59b.
Figure 59b.
Amphioplus (Unioplus) daleus after collection. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 60a.
Figure 60a.
cf. Ophiacantha morphospecies in situ attached to a dead sponge stalk. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 60b.
Figure 60b.
cf. Ophiacantha morphospecies in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 61a.
Figure 61a.
Ophiosphalma cf. glabrum after collection. Scale bar is 2 cm. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 61b.
Figure 61b.
Ophiosphalma cf. glabrum after collection. Scale bar is 2 cm. Image attribution: AG Glover, TD Dahlgren & H Wiklund, Natural History Museum, London & Uni Research.
Figure 61c.
Figure 61c.
Ophiosphalma cf. glabrum in situ on seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 62.
Figure 62.
Ophiotholia morphospecies after collection from the UKSRL exploration contract area. Scale bar is 1 cm. Image attribution: C Harding, Museums Victoria.
Figure 63a.
Figure 63a.
Ophiotypa cf. simplex in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 2 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 63b.
Figure 63b.
Ophiotypa cf. simplex in situ on seafloor. Scale bar is 2 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 63c.
Figure 63c.
Aboral view of Ophiotypa simplex after collection. Scale bar is 1 mm. Image attribution: C Harding, Museums Victoria.
Figure 63d.
Figure 63d.
Oral view of Ophiotypa simplex after collection. Scale bar is 1 mm. Image attribution: C Harding, Museums Victoria.

References

    1. Amon Diva J., Hilario Ana, Arbizu Pedro Martinez, Smith Craig R. Observations of organic falls from the abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12526-016-0572-4. Marine Biodiversity. 2016;NA doi: 10.1007/s12526-016-0572-4. - DOI
    1. Amon Diva, Ziegler Amanda F, Dahlgren Thomas G, Glover Adrian G, Goineau Aurélie, Gooday Andrew J, Wiklund Helena, Smith Craig R. Insights into the abundance and diversity of abyssal megafauna in a polymetallic-nodule region in the eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep30492. Scientific Reports. 2016;6:30492. doi: 10.1038/srep30492. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bickford David, Lohman David J, Sodhi Navjot S, Ng Peter K L, Meier Rudolf, Winker Kevin, Ingram Krista K, Das Indraneil. Cryptic species as a window on diversity and conservation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2006.11.004. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 2006;22(3):148–155. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2006.11.004. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bluhm Hartmut, Gebruk Andrej. Holothuroidea (Echinodermata) of the Peru Basin - Ecological and Taxonomic Remarks Based on Underwater Images. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0485.1999.00072.x. Marine Ecology. 1999;20(2):167–195. doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0485.1999.00072.x. - DOI
    1. Dahlgren Thomas, Wiklund Helena, Rabone Muriel, Amon Diva, Ikebe Chiho, Watling Les, Smith Craig, Glover Adrian. Abyssal fauna of the UK-1 polymetallic nodule exploration area, Clarion-Clipperton Zone, central Pacific Ocean: Cnidaria. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/bdj.4.e9277. Biodiversity Data Journal. 2016;4:e9277. doi: 10.3897/bdj.4.e9277. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources